The Loyd Star Hornet Band is heading to the AutoZone LibertyBowl in Memphis.

The marching band is one of several bands selected from dozensof applicants to perform.

The 71-member band, under the direction of James Dykes, leftTuesday to travel to Memphis for the Friday game. The band willspend five days and four nights in Memphis.

Dykes explained that students will perform in a competition,with the winner then giving an encore performance.

“The band will enter a field show competition with 15 otherbands,” he said. The winner of that competition will perform beforethe game.

At halftime, all bands will perform with Little Richard.

The Loyd Star band also will enter a parade competition on BealStreet in Memphis.

Bands were selected based on the following criteria: outstandingmusical performance and visual impact; geography; and strength ofcommunity support. Each band was asked to submit a resume of theband’s recent accomplishments and significant performances andwritten evidence of strong administration, parental and civicsupport.

According to the band’s itinerary, members of the band and theirchaperones will visit several sites in and around Memphis, such asGraceland and the Hard Rock Cafe, during their stay.

Also performing with Little Richard is the group Focus, which ismade up of approximately 35 students from around Mississippi.Students from the Brookhaven area include Kelsey Ann Jackson,Heather Statham, Emily Boyd, Allison Boyd, Caroline Driskell,Margaret Alice Lampton and Mary Katherine McDonnieal.

The group is under the direction of husband-and-wife teamDerrick and Faith Martin. Derrick Martin is also Little Richard’sdrummer. The group will sing and dance during the halftimeshow.

Boise State is will take on Louisville in the AutoZone LibertyBowl game at 2:30 p.m. Friday. The game will be broadcast locallyon ESPN.