Lyon College students have the opportunity to participate in one or more music ensembles. All ensembles are open to music and non-music majors and students of any class year. Designed to hone essential performance skills and techniques, ensembles perform regularly on campus and often tour Arkansas and adjacent states.
Lyon offers six ensembles:
Concert Chorale
The concert chorale, directed by Dr. Michael Oriatti and accompanied by Dr. Russell Stinson, is a vocal esemble open to qualified students with approval of the director. The chorale performs a wide variety of literature, ranging from larger choral-orchestral works to folksongs and spirituals. It presents several concerts each year, both on and off campus.
To listen to more of our music, click here.
Gospel Choir
The gospel choir, directed by Markeita Williams, '16, is a vocal ensemble open to both Lyon and Batesville community members regardless of their faith. The ensemble performs a variety of song forms drawn from the African American religious tradition.
Jazz Band
The jazz band is open to students, faculty, and staff via audition. The band performs year-round, both on and off campus, and offers students instruction in the basic skills of jazz performance. Rehearsals are Mondays 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. during the Spring semesters. Anyone interested in joining the jazz band can contact Dr. Fredrick Brown by email at fredrick.brown@lyon.edu.
Marching Band
The Lyon College Marching Scots are the largest student spirit group on campus. The marching band performs at athletic and special events throughout the year. With a primary mission of exuding the very idea of Lyon College spirit, the marching band works to create an atmosphere of excellence and pride for students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The Lyon College Marching Band consists of brass, woodwinds, battery percussion, pit percussion, electric guitar, electric bass, piano/synth, and guard. Membership to the marching band is open to any Lyon College student via audition. Scholarships are available. The marching band rehearses Monday and Wednesday, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Anyone interested in joining the marching band should contact Dr. Fredrick Brown by email at fredrick.brown@lyon.edu
Pipe Band
Lyon's award-winning pipe band, directed by Jimmy Bell, is comprised of students, faculty, and staff of Lyon College, as well as volunteer musicians from Batesville, Arkansas and surrounding communities. The band performs at official college functions, in community parades, and at venues around the state of Arkansas, and it regularly competes at festivals and games throughout the United States and abroad. Membership is open to qualified students with approval of the director.
Symphonic Winds
The Lyon College Symphonic Winds is Lyon's concert band. The Symphonic Winds perform a wide variety of musical styles from masterworks to contemporary works from the wind band repertoire. This ensemble has flexible instrumentation, performing large-ensemble and chamber music. Rehearsals are Monday and Wednesday, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., during the Fall semester and Tuesday and Thursday, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., in the Spring semester. Seating auditions happen in late October, and rehearsals begin mid-November. Other chamber music opportunities are made available for select students. Membership is open to students, faculty, and staff via auditions. Anyone interested in joining the Symphonic Winds should contact Dr. Fredrick Brown by email at fredrick.brown@lyon.edu.