Our biggest and most successful fundraiser, The Annual Independence Showdown Battle of the Bands, is the City of Jackson's premier summertime event.  This fun-filled family event features MMI’s Mississippi Alumni All-Star Band and Magnolia All-Stars along with several community marching bands from various states. These groups have included the Louisiana Leadership Institute, the Georgia Mass Band, the Dallas Mass Band, the Memphis Mass Band, the Houston United Marching Band, the River Region All-Stars, the 337 All-Star Marching Band, the New Orleans All-Star Band, the Regulators, and Michigan Elite.  All of these programs are summer marching band ensembles designed to keep young people in the urban communities engaged in enriching activities throughout the summer and average 275 band members! Additionally, the event functions as a college fair as a plethora of directors from the many HBCUs throughout the nation attend the event to recruit new students. These have included Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Talladega College, Miles College, Texas Southern University, Langston University, Lane College, Tennesse State University, & Southern A&M University to name a few. Enhancing the organization’s stated purpose, the Independence Showdown aims “to bring student musicians together to develop, enhance, and showcase their musical talents.” Don't miss the showcase!