Blab Music
Cyril High Schools Alumni Foundation Raises Funds to Re-establish Long-Dormant Band Program
The Cyril Alumni Foundation, founded by CHS alumnus Dennis Crow, has wrapped up a $65,000 overhaul of the school’s baseball and softball fields and is now turning its attention to reviving the band program that was cut in 1958.
The field‑upgrade project, which began nine months ago, added new dugouts and handicap‑accessible bathrooms to the existing ballfields. According to the foundation, the work was financed by donations from CHS alumni, the Cyril Masonic Lodge and Liberty National Bank. The project is almost finished, and the foundation is preparing to hand the upgraded facilities over to the school district.
The new focus came after a conversation with CHS Superintendent Ty Harman. Harman praised the foundation’s work on the ballfields and suggested a second project: bringing the band back to Cyril High. Crow said the idea surprised him, but the foundation immediately began planning.
Funding the band
The foundation estimated that about $17,000 would be required to purchase instruments and related equipment for a new band. A fundraising campaign launched in late summer reached its goal within 30 days and has already raised roughly $24,000. The money was used to buy five clarinets, five flutes, three trumpets, 25 music stands and 35 recorders for the sixth‑grade program.
Among the donors was CHS alumnus Johnny Brookshire, who said he was initially skeptical about the project but became optimistic after speaking with Crow. Brookshire noted that the foundation’s progress has encouraged him.
Student interest
Before launching the campaign, the school district surveyed students in grades six through eleven to gauge interest in a new band. The survey, conducted a few months earlier, showed that 30 % of respondents expressed support for the idea.
Crow said the foundation will wait until the new school year begins in August to confirm whether students remain interested. If the response is positive, the foundation plans to enlist alumna Connie Claborn Martinez to apply for grants that could fund additional instruments.
Staffing
A key hurdle remains the appointment of a band director. Crow said the school district is working to find a qualified instructor, and the foundation hopes to have a director in place before the fall semester.
Current status
The Cyril Alumni Foundation has finished the field upgrades and has purchased a core set of instruments for a new band. The foundation is awaiting the start of the 2026‑2027 school year to assess student interest and to secure a band director. If those steps are successful, the band could begin rehearsals in the fall.
The project demonstrates how alumni support can address both athletic and arts needs in a small Oklahoma community. The foundation’s efforts are ongoing, and the school district will announce next steps once the new school year begins.
The field‑upgrade project, which began nine months ago, added new dugouts and handicap‑accessible bathrooms to the existing ballfields. According to the foundation, the work was financed by donations from CHS alumni, the Cyril Masonic Lodge and Liberty National Bank. The project is almost finished, and the foundation is preparing to hand the upgraded facilities over to the school district.
The new focus came after a conversation with CHS Superintendent Ty Harman. Harman praised the foundation’s work on the ballfields and suggested a second project: bringing the band back to Cyril High. Crow said the idea surprised him, but the foundation immediately began planning.
Funding the band
The foundation estimated that about $17,000 would be required to purchase instruments and related equipment for a new band. A fundraising campaign launched in late summer reached its goal within 30 days and has already raised roughly $24,000. The money was used to buy five clarinets, five flutes, three trumpets, 25 music stands and 35 recorders for the sixth‑grade program.
Among the donors was CHS alumnus Johnny Brookshire, who said he was initially skeptical about the project but became optimistic after speaking with Crow. Brookshire noted that the foundation’s progress has encouraged him.
Student interest
Before launching the campaign, the school district surveyed students in grades six through eleven to gauge interest in a new band. The survey, conducted a few months earlier, showed that 30 % of respondents expressed support for the idea.
Crow said the foundation will wait until the new school year begins in August to confirm whether students remain interested. If the response is positive, the foundation plans to enlist alumna Connie Claborn Martinez to apply for grants that could fund additional instruments.
Staffing
A key hurdle remains the appointment of a band director. Crow said the school district is working to find a qualified instructor, and the foundation hopes to have a director in place before the fall semester.
Current status
The Cyril Alumni Foundation has finished the field upgrades and has purchased a core set of instruments for a new band. The foundation is awaiting the start of the 2026‑2027 school year to assess student interest and to secure a band director. If those steps are successful, the band could begin rehearsals in the fall.
The project demonstrates how alumni support can address both athletic and arts needs in a small Oklahoma community. The foundation’s efforts are ongoing, and the school district will announce next steps once the new school year begins.
