What is the Warren Mott Band Club (WMBC)?

The Warren Mott Band club is a group comprised of dedicated people who share their time, talents and skills to support the band program. As a parent of a student involved in the band program, you are eligible to be a member of this incredible group (no audition required)!

With your assistance, our students will continue to have the opportunity to achieve greatness. The WMBC supports, financially and otherwise, the band program. All funds raised are directly returned to the band program.

Won't you join us in supporting the Marauder Music Machine! Meetings are held at 7:30pm on the first Monday of every month, from September to June, in the band room (annex) at Warren Mott High School. If the first Monday falls on a holiday, or during a holiday break, the meeting is held the very next Monday. Please join us!

Contact Us

About our Director:

Erik Miller, Director of Bands

Erik Miller grew up in a musical family in Lansing, Michigan where his father was a well respected band director and where his mother is still currently teaching piano. Mr. Miller and his bothers would have "jam" sessions at home when they were younger which helped him decide that a career in music would be fun.

After high school, Mr. Miller moved to Florida where he studied privately with a working musician in Fort Lauderdale. He eventually started his own jazz trio when he moved back to Michigan which performed weekly at the Sheraton Inn in Lansing for eight years. Mr. Miller performed at the Detroit Jazz Festival in 1989 where he was awarded "Outstanding Jazz Soloist" by the NAJE. He was also the piano player for the Governor's residence from 1988-1990 and President Peter McPherson's residence at Michigan State University from 1994-1996.

Mr. Miller earned his Bachelor of Music Education and Music Theory degree from Michigan State University in 1996, performing in Jazz Band I, The Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, Jazz Quartet and Brass Quintet. During his college experience, he had the opportunity to perform with/for Mel Torme, Bradford Marsalis, Nat Adderly, Benny Carter and President Bill Clinton. He studied conducting under Professor Wesley Broadnax and John T. Madden.

After college, Mr. Miller taught in a small, rural school in Concord, Michigan for six years where his duties included 5th to 12th grade band, choir and jazz band. He came to Warren Mott High School in 2002 and he really enjoys the students, parents and staff. He and his wife Kara have three children, Kelliann, Noah and Drew, who are all enjoying music in their home as well.

About our Bands:

Wind Ensemble

Under the direction of Mr. Erik Miller, the Wind Ensemble is a music ensemble comprised of the most advanced music students. They perform the highest level of music with the most difficulty. Entry is by audition. Throughout the school year various performances are scheduled such as MSBOA, Pasta Fest, School Concerts, etc. All performances are mandatory. All students in Wind Ensemble are part of the Marching Band.

Students also can choose to compete at MSBOA Solo & Ensemble. If a student receives a I rating at this festival, they can compete at the state level.

MSBOA District XVI Band & Orchestra Festival Results:
2007/2008: (District) Straight I's; (State) Straight I's
2008/2009: (District) Straight I's; (State) II
2009/2010: (District) Straight I's; (State) II
2010/2011: (District) Straight I's; (State) I

Symphonic Band

Under the direction of Mr. Erik Miller, the Symphonic Band performs an array of advanced instrumental music. It is designed for the student with advanced instrumental skills. Entry is by audition. Throughout the school year various performances are scheduled such as MSBOA, Pasta Fest, School Concerts, etc. All performances are mandatory. All students in Symphonic Band are part of the Marchiing Band.

Students also can choose to compete at MSBOA Solo & Ensemble. If a student receives a I rating at this festival, they can compete at the state level.

MSBOA District XVI Band & Orchestra Festival Results:
2007/2008: (District) Straight I's; (State) Straight I's
2008/2009: (District) Straight I's; (State) I
2009/2010: (District) Straight I's; (State) II
2010/2011: (District) Straight I's; (State) I

Concert Band

Under the direction of Mr.Eric Miller, the concert band performs a wide variety of genre and emphasizes the continued development of musical performance skills. This band is open to students who have an intermediate skill level. Entry in this band is through audition. Throughout the school year various performances are scheduled such as MSBOA, Pasta Fest, School Concerts, etc. All performances are mandatory. All students in Concert Band are part of the Marching Band.

Students also can choose to compete at MSBOA Solo & Ensemble. If a student receives a I rating at this festival, they can compete at the state level.

MSBOA District XVI Band & Orchestra Festival Results:
2007/2008: (District)I; (State) II
2008/2009: (District) Straight I's; (State) I
2009/2010: (District) I; (State) II
2010/2011: (District) I; (State) II

Cadet Band

Under the direction of Mr. Eric Miller, the cadet band is an introductory band to train students for the technical and musical demands of the other performing bands. Students in this band will focus on the fundamentals of performance, such as developing characteristic tone, rhythm and counting, music reading ability, interpretation skills, and overall musicality. Cadet Band is open to all instrumentalists. Throughout the school year various performances are scheduled such as MSBOA, Pasta Fest, School Concerts, etc. All performances are mandatory. All students in Cadet Band are part of the Marching Band.

Students also can choose to compete at MSBOA Solo & Ensemble. If a student receives a I rating at this festival, they can compete at the state level.

MSBOA District XVI Band & Orchestra Festival Results:
2007/2008: (District) II
2008/2009: (District) I
2009/2010: (District) II
2010/2011: (District) I

Marauder Big Band

Under the direction of Mr. Erik Miller, the Warren Mott High School Marauder Big Band is comprised of music students that love JAZZ. This unique instrumental music ensemble performs a wide variety of jazz, rock, blues, and other types of music utilizing the jazz band instrumentation. Instrumentation includes trumpet, saxophone, trombone, percussion, bass, guitar, piano and vocals. Director's approval is needed to join this band.

The Marauder Big Band performs at various functions that include MSBOA, Clintondale Jazz Festival, school concerts, and of course, our very popular Jazz night. All performances are mandatory.

MSBOA District XVI Band & Orchestra Festival Results:
2007/2008: I
2008/2009: II
2009/2010: I
2010/2011: I

Marching Band

The Warren Mott High School Marching Band, under the direction of Mr. Erik Miller, is comprised of all students in Cadet Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band,Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. All students in the band program are required to be in the Marching Band and to attend Marching Band Camp. Currently, the band is comprised of over 200 students.

The Marching Band performs at ALL home football games. The band plays as they march into the stadium, they play the pre-game music, and also perform during the games. They also play at many events such as the GM Tech Center's Juvenile Diabetes March, Thanksgiving Day Parade, area concerts at Beer and Grissom Middle School and any other event the Director chooses.

Varsity Band

Under the direction of Mr. Erik Miller, the Warren Mott Marauder High School Varsity Band is open to any Warren Mott High School Student that is currently in the Marching Band. This band is comprised of students that are committed to working hard to achieve perfection. Currently, the Varsity Band is comprised of 140 musicians. Students must attend all practices.

The Varsity Band performs all the Field Shows at half-time during the football games. They also perform at the MSBOA Marching Band Festival, Band-O-Rama, and several other competitions. The Varsity Band learns the Field Show at Varsity Band Camp and has regular after school practices when school starts.

After completion of requirements set forth by the band directors, students may earn a Varsity letter. Contact Mr. Miller for more information.

Pep Band

The Warren Mott High School Pep Band plays at away football games. This band is comprised of Marching Band members that volunteer to play in the stands at the away games. These members play together to support our team as well as for the joy of making music.

Sometimes, you will find that our Pep Band is as large as the Marching Bands at the competitor's schools.

Jazz II

Jazz II is a voluntary after school band. This band performs at Pasta Fest and Jazz Night.

Jazz III

Jazz III is an extension from Jazz II. It is a voluntary band that performs at Pasta Fest and Jazz Night. Jazz III is usually started by the Director when there are an over abundance of students who want to play Jazz and there aren't spaces available in Jazz II.