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The company now known simply as "LYONS" was originally incorporated as "LYONS BAND INSTRUMENT CO." by Wm. H. Lyons, Howard R. Lyons, and Clarence L. McCreery. Capt. Lou Walz, band director at Lake View High School in Chicago suggested a rental instruments plan for beginning music students. A plan was devised and was a great success.
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Lyons published a newspaper called "The Lyons Band News and Kjos Music News". The paper contained articles of interest to band directors, including new items, successful programs in various schools, and teaching tips. The paper was sent out four times a year and a complete catalogue of band instruments and accessories was printed and mailed every two years.
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With the invention of the Swanson tonette, Lyons saw it could be used as a pre-band instrument. Forrest Buchtel, a Chicago area music teacher, wrote the Lyons instruction book titled "Melody Fun". Notes and fingerings were shown in semi-cartoon form, which made it fun and easy for lower grade students to follow. Students were then able to learn musical skills that would be beneficial when a band instrument was taken up later.
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A new catalogue was published containing a complete tonette program, rhythm band instruments, band room equipment and a line of pins, medals, and trophies. A questionnaire was sent to colleges asking if they would want a list of outstanding graduating students in high school musical organizations since no nationally recognized music medal was available. The response was very favorable, so Lyons created the Arion Award program, and has been available to high school students since 1948. Many students have been able to receive college scholarships as a result of winning the Arion Award.
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Lyons introduced a new instruction book for Tonette and Flutophone titled "Modern Musical Fun". This book was supplied in the preband outfits, and it still is today. In 1969, the decision was made by Lyons to sell of the rental instrument business. The sale included all band and orchestra rental instruments, repair shops, and the sheet music department.
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The Selmer Company purchased the assets and the name Lyons. With the sale of the instrumental end of the business, Selmer investigated other areas into which Lyons could expand. A variety of early childhood instructional material were then added to the Lyons catalog. Selmer moved Lyons closer to their main plant in Elkhart, Indiana in 1974 and a year later; Mr. Dave Von Gunter was brought in to take over management of the company. He arranged for the manufacture of the Choral Risers Lyons introduced the following year, and expanded catalog distribution to churches in the United States.
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Lyons entered the technology age of Internet retailing. The company placed a simple version of the printed catalog on the Internet for customers to view products. A printable order form was available so customers could place orders by fax or mail. A new undertaking with the Lyons website came in 2003 when an e-commerce package was added to the website so customers could place their orders over the website as an alternative option to standard phone or mailed orders.
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Lyons continues to serve the needs of teachers in the general music, band and orchestra classroom. Lyons continues to offer a wide selection of musical products and adds new items on a constant basis. From our beginnings over 75 years ago to today, Lyons is always proud to be...
The Name that Merits your Confidence
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