Update: Marching bands back on at Lansing School District

(This story was updated at 8:56 a.m.)

TUESDAY, Aug. 17 — Three high schools in Lansing will merge together for one unified marching band this fall at Everett High School because not enough students signed up this summer to justify individual marching bands at Eastern and J.W. Sexton high schools.

At least 20 students from Sexton and Eastern high schools will join the new band under the direction of Everett Band Leader Penny Filonczuk, district officials announced this week. Previously, marching bands had been canceled altogether at both Eastern and J.W. Sexton. 

“All three high schools will be providing band classes during the regular school day. The extracurricular marching band was consolidated since the numbers at two of the high schools were low,” according to a statement from the Lansing School District. “Still, the district wanted to provide any student the experience and ability to participate in this extracurricular activity.”

The first day of the fall semester at the Lansing School District is set for Monday, Aug. 30. Despite the consolidation, each high school will continue to host its own individual concerts.