Staples Endowment Concert: Five Lakes Brass Band

Join us Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Staples Family Concert Hall for the Staples Endowment Concert: Five Lakes Brass Band!

About Mr. Sam Staples

Mr. Sam Staples has been a longtime friend and avid supporter of CMU’s School of Music and the College of Arts and Media, and his family is the namesake of a concert hall on campus. Sam has served on the School of Music Opus Committee, the College of Communication and Fine Arts Capital Campaign Committee, and the Michigan Story Festival planning committee.

He was actively involved with the day-to-day workings of the School of Music and the College of Arts and Media. He has helped develop special instructional initiatives such as guest instructors and special theater organ events. He has helped bring musicians and ensembles to campus, and he has brokered School of Music partnerships with the community.

In addition to donations to name an office and a practice studio in the Music Building, the Staples family made one of the largest gifts in the history of the School of Music. This gift supports music events and annual masters series concerts. In recognition, CMU named the Music Building’s 500-seat performance venue the Staples Family Concert Hall. Sam and the Staples family are regular and enthusiastic attendees at almost all School of Music concerts and events.

Sam’s nominator for this award wrote, “Sam, Trudy, Karen, Carl, and the entire Staples family have been invaluable partners in the advancement of the School of Music and have become warm friends to students, faculty, and staff.”

About the Five Lakes Brass Band

The Five Lakes Silver Band originally started as Oakland Brass Band and was renamed to provide a distinct identity apart from the Oakland University Brass Band. The Oakland Brass Band was founded in 2006 by several local musicians with the desire to provide Detroit area professional and semi-professional musicians with an outlet for expressing their talent through the brass band style and heritage. By October, 2006, a Board of Directors was created, non-profit status was sought for the organization and a list of interested musicians was developed.

In 2010, the FLSB recorded their first CD, "Notes from America". Since then, the band has recorded a total of 6 CDs.

In 2013, the Five Lakes Silver Band captured its first national championship title by taking 1st Place in the 1st Section of the North American Brass Band Association Championships held in Cincinnati, Ohio. The band continues to grow in its popularity, strength of musicianship, and leadership and is emerging as one of the leading brass bands in the country.

Guests are welcome to join us in person at Staples Family Concert Hall or via the livestream on the CMU School of Music YouTube Channel (no account necessary).