About Our Ensembles

Concert Band (5th, 6th, 7-8)

Every band student at Central Lyon is involved in Concert Band! This ensemble is made up of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments, and rehearsals take place during the regular school day. Each of our three Concert Bands will give three concerts throughout the year at which we will play music ranging from classical pieces to modern pop tunes and everything in between!

Marching Band (7-8)

The Central Lyon Middle School Marching Band starts each year with Band Camp the Saturday before school begins in August and concludes the season with our performance at the Mass Band Show in early October. The Marching Band is made up of woodwind and brass instruments, a drumline, and a colorguard. Auditions for the position of Drum Major and for a spot on the guard are held in May. Rehearsals for marching band are held during the normal school day for the duration of the season.

We select our marching tunes from a library of fun popular music and original compositions that spans several decades. Each year, the marching band makes its way to one or more festivals in which we compete with other bands from across the region. The band also makes an annual appearance in the Memorial Day ceremonies in Doon.

Jazz Band (7-8)

Jazz is a form of music which encourages creativity, expression, improvisation, and individuality. It encompasses a wide range of genres including swing, bebop, Latin, fusion, and funk. The Jazz Band is an ensemble typically consisting of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section (piano, electric guitar, drum set, and bass).

Participation in jazz is voluntary, but Mr. Collins encourages every 7th and 8th grader to participate, as jazz offers a fun and rewarding musical experience unlike any other ensemble at Central Lyon! The jazz band rehearses twice a week before school beginning in November to prepare for our competition season which spans February and March. The jazz season wraps up with Central Lyon's Middle School Swing Show!

Solo & Small Ensemble Contest

Each year in April, Central Lyon Middle School holds a Solo & Small Ensemble Contest at which students in grades 5-8 perform as soloists or in small groups. Students can select a piece to perform from the large catalog of solo and small ensemble music in our band library. Performances are scored by impartial expert judges from around the area, and each performer will be given a rating and comments on their performance. Ribbons are awarded for each performance based on the rating received!