After nearly two decades of silence, the sound of music returned to Cody High School’s football field.
The marching band made its debut at halftime during the school’s game against Pershing, marking the program’s first performance in almost 20 years. For the more than a dozen students on the field, it was also their first time ever playing an instrument.
“The running, the struggles—people threw up, people cried,” said junior Noah Hudson, now a trombone player. “I’m happy everybody stuck through it because sticking through hard things makes you stronger.”
Behind the revival is band director Damion Lyles, a Detroit native and former DPS student who returned home after teaching music out of state for 20 years.
“This is my city. I was part of the great era when marching band was huge here in Detroit,” Lyles said. “I want to see that glory come back.”
The program was made possible by more than $430,000 from the State of Michigan Out of School Time Grant, supporting five Detroit public high schools.
After months of training and tears, Cody’s band is back—and so is the music.
