Crystal Lake Central Band

Symphonic Band (Band IV): This top level ensemble meets daily for 45 minutes for the top instrumental students who have achieved a high level of musical artistry. This ensemble studies advanced wind band repertoire while maintaining an appropriately balanced ensemble.  This ensemble moves at a rigorous pace with a high degree of discipline.  Many students choose to audition for IMEA District Band and also study privately.  Membership is by audition only.

Concert Band (Band III): This ensemble meets daily for 45 minutes and is meant for the developing instrumentalist.  Improvement in musical skill is addressed through study of appropriate musical literature, rhythm work, and scales.  Students are encouraged to study privately as well.  Students must have participated in their middle school band program or have consent of the director.

Percussion Ensemble (Percussion Studies): This ensemble meets daily for 45 minutes for all percussion students.  Musical skill is developed through the study of snare drum, keyboard percussion, timpani, drumset, and auxiliary percussion.  Students work both independently and in small ensembles.  These students combine with the Concert and Symphonic Bands for performances. Students must have participated in their middle school band program or have consent of the director.

Guitar: This one semester course meets daily for 45 minutes and introduces students to playing the guitar.  Note and chord reading are studied with application to folk and popular music.  This course is open to all students and requires NO previous experience or prior musical skill.

Pep Band (combined Band III, IV, Percussion): All Tiger Band members are part of the Tiger Pep Band which plays at many home basketball games and other local events. In 2006 & 2008, the Tiger Pep Band was selected to perform at the IHSA State Girls Volleyball Tournament!

Marching Tiger Band (combined Band III, IV, Percussion): All Tiger Band members are part of the Marching Tiger Band which plays at all home football games, area parades, and festivals.  Our main purpose is to entertain our audiences while continuing our musical development and maintaining our standard of excellence.

Tiger Jazz Bands & Jazz Combos: The Tiger Jazz ensembles rehearse weekly before and after school from late October-May.  They perform a wide variety of music including swing, blues, rock, funk, and latin.  The band has performed at area jazz festivals including NIU, New Trier, and Evanston.  Jazz Band 1 is a traditional jazz band made up of saxes, trumpets, trombones, and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, and drums).  Jazz Band 2 is open to any instrument and provides a foundation in jazz to develop skills in improvisation and playing in the various jazz styles. Jazz Combos are smaller ensembles consisting of a rhythm section and 1-2 horn players.  The groups are open to CLC students through audition in late October.  Contact Mr. Levin for further information.

Pit Orchestra: The pit orchestra rehearsals 1-2 times per week after school beginning in January to prepare for the annual school musical in March.  The group is open to CLC students based on the instrumentation needs of the show.  Contact Mr. Levin for further information.

Madrigal Brass & Recorders: Open to CLC Band members only, these ensembles rehearse 1-2 times per week normally during school to prepare Renaissance style music for the annual Madrigal dinners in December.  The recorder ensemble consists of 10 members playing sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, and bass recorders.  The brass ensemble is a standard brass quintet of 2 trumpets, horn, trombone, and tuba.

Sizing/Fitting during band camp and passing out uniforms as needed.

• Uniforms: Assist with fitting the students in their proper jacket, pants, hats. Assist with distribution of shirts, shoes, etc.

• Uniform Sewing:  Help create a perfect fit for a student's uniform by hemming pants or performing light uniform repairs (buttons, zippers, etc.). 

• Game Uniforms: Assist on game night with any last minute repairs (usually broken buttons, missing gloves, etc.)

Keeping our program watered and fed, or any other hospitality related elements.

• Game Water: At football games or other events, fill our band jugs up with water, distribute to the band (cups provided), and clean out the jugs at the end of the night.

• Parade Water: Walk alongside the band during parades and provide water as needed to the band.

• Concession Worker: Assist in the concession stand for football or basketball.

• Hospitality: Assist with set-up, tear-down, and serving of food at various events. 

Helping out with equipment logistics

• Game Equipment: Help to move equipment from the band room to the stadium (and back); assist with podiums and/or pit equipment for pre-game & halftime shows.

• Equipment Truck Driver: Rent & Drive the equipment truck to various marching or concert performances. Expenses are reimbursed.

• Trip Equipment: Assist with loading/unloading the truck and moving equipment as we travel to marching or concert festivals.

• Fundraiser Helpers: Tally orders & count money, assist with delivery and distribution day. (asked as needed)

• Trip Chaperones: Ride the bus with the students, take attendance, general supervisory duties. (asked as needed)

• Marching Showcase Worker: Assist with set-up/tear-down, being a band guide, selling "shout outs," or helping with moving  equipment down on the field.

Future Members FAQ

Please check here for more information.

To be excused from an event, rehearsal, or performance students must complete this absence request form. Exceptions being for emergency absences, which should then be communicated to the director via email from a parent.

Requests are not guaranteed to be excused, but need to be timely, appropriate, and adhering to the attendance policy found in the band handbook that is posted on this website. While student communication in person is welcomed, all requests will still be required to go through this absence request form.

Absence Request Form

Please check here for more information.

Please check here for more information.