The music program at the Sarnia Collegiate Institute and Technical School (more familiarly known as SCITS) began in earnest with the hiring of William Brush. Bill Brush set up a symphony and concert band there when it was located on London Road (now the London Road Public School) and continued when the school re-located to Wellington Street and included a technical school. He was also involved with the other bands at the school that included an army cadet band.
Concert bands were also established at other Lambton county high schools. They became high quality groups at SCITS, Northern, Alexander Mackenzie, Lambton Central in Petrolia, St. Clair, St. Pat's, North Lambton in Forest, and St. Christopher's as skilled music teachers were hired and music programs expanded to include junior bands, senior bands, and jazz bands. Each year, the Lambton county community were and are treated to concerts from these bands. These bands also compete at the annual county music competition, and there was always friendly but competitive rivalry and excellent music. Despite before and after school rehearsals, concert band membership was very popular among high school students.
Unfortunately, Lambton county high school students have become more selective about the courses they take and the extra-curricular activities they are involved in, and music has become less popular. Many people attribute that to the demise of grade 13 or OAC that happened in 2003.