Middle School Band

The CYMS Marching band consists of all 7th and 8th grade students in the overall band program. The marching band rehearses during the school day in the fall, and has a few after school rehearsals.

The marching band performs annually in two parades, and participates with the CYHS Marching Band and 5th and 6th grade students in the Central York School District Band Day, held at a CYHS football game in the fall.

6th, 7th, and 8th grade students can also participate in the CYMS Bandfront, where they will provide visual accompaniment to the music of the marching band. This group serves as a training ensemble with the goal of preparing students for participation in the CYHS Bandfront.

The Central York Middle School "Colonial Fife & Drum Corps" consists of approximately 35 students in grades 7 & 8.  

The corps was formed in 1971 by then band director Ken Matthews as a prelude to the American Bicentennial in 1976. The corps is directed now by current band director Rick Worley, who began his tenure in 2003 when Mr. Matthews retired. The Central York Middle School fifes and drums exist as one of the only fife and drum corps in America which is part of a public school music program.   The CYMS fifes & drums perform music which was typical of fife and drum corps in England and the American colonies during the 18th  century.  The corps uses 6 hole persimmon (wood) fifes and rope tension drums, and generally carries a color guard as well when in parades.

This group is active the central Pennsylvania area performing in various parades, civic events, and reenactments.  The corps has performed in Colonial Williamsburg with the Williamsburg Fifes and Drums (pictured above right), as well as in major cities on the east coast including Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia, Richmond, as well as internationally in Montreal, Canada. The CYMS Fifes and Drums have also participated in several Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Inaugurations, and has appeared in the Penn State University Homecoming Parade in State College, PA. The corps has performed in New York City's famed Lincoln Center (pictured above left) and on the USS Intrepid in New York City. The corps has also represented York area Lions clubs in their state and international convention parades, the Tall Cedars in their national conventions and also provides opening ceremonies for local civic and governmental events.

The Central York Middle School Colonial Fife and Drum Corps uses Cooperman Fifes and Drums. and wears uniform parts from the Jas. Townsend Company and Double Time Band Accessories.

The CYMS Symphonic Band consists of students in grades 7 and 8. The ensemble features full band instrumentation and performs at school concerts, events, and functions throughout the school year.

The CYMS Jazz Band is a traditional big band and is open to all students in grades 7& 8 whose instruments fall within the "traditional" format of the big band - saxes, trombones, trumpets, and rhythm section. The ensemble performs at jazz festivals, community and civic events, and the ever popular CYSD Jazz Night in the spring.

The ensemble is formed in January, and rehearses after school through the end of the school year. Auditions are held if there is a surplus of a given instrument.

The Holiday Ensembles are comprised of 7th, and 8th grade brass & woodwind students. They meet after school from mid to late October thru the end of December. All brass & woodwind students are encouraged to participate. These ensembles perform traditional holiday music throughout the York community.

Small ensembles are formed in January and February with the goal of increasing student individual responsibility and musicianship. Students are grouped according to instrumentation and ability to create the best possible setting for each student. An ensemble recital is held each March, coinciding with Music in Our Schools Month, which features the hard work and dedication of our ensemble program.