Performances and Events

President's Leadership Reception

Distinguished Alumni Awards Reception

Football Games

Dayton's reopening of Main Street

Fall Concert

University of Dayton's Band Day

Christmas Concert

Pep Band

Winter Concert

Spring Concert

(OMEA) Solo & Ensemble Adjudication

What a Blast!

CJ Band Marches in a New Direction

by Jay Bryant ‘12

As a student ending my freshman year at CJ, I was a little nervous, but mostly excited, when I found out that performing arts at our school was heading in a new direction. I had been a member of last year’s band and pep band and thoroughly enjoyed the experience and camaraderie of my new friends.

Once summer rehearsals started, I knew that we had a brilliant year ahead of us under the direction of our new band director and Performing Arts chair, Mrs. Debi Schutt. Anthony Houston, a University of Dayton Music Education student, was added to the staff to work directly with the drum line to help them improve their talents.

Many freshmen joined our group this year and we also invited junior high students and CJ band alumni to play with us. Each time we gathered to rehearse, or ran on to the field for a halftime performance, there was an energy and excitement that would mold our band into an even better ensemble.

Mrs. Schutt wanted our group to grow as a community and embrace our roles as members of the band, of CJ and of the Dayton community. When she asked me what we could do to help achieve a better sense of community within the band, laser tag came to mind! Who doesn’t love playing a game of laser tag?

This year we have had the opportunity to perform at CJ’s President's Reception and Distinguished Alumni Awards reception, football games, our annual Fall Concert and Christmas Concert in collaboration with the Concert Choir, Dayton’s reopening of Main Street, and the University of Dayton High School Band Day—playing alongside of the “Pride of Dayton.”

We anticipate an equally exciting second half of the year that will include basketball pep band, Honor Bands, a winter and spring concert, and Ohio Music Education Association’s (OMEA) Solo & Ensemble Adjudicated Event. We have also been known to participate in Music in the Parks music festivals at Kings Island and Cedar Point. Can’t wait!