The Lakeland Community Band began in 1978 under the direction of Charles Minelli. From the beginning, the Band drew members of all ages from many local communities. We also have some “snowbirds” who come from all over the United States and Canada and participate in the Band during the winter months.  The Lakeland Community Band originally held rehearsals at Florida Southern College, performing their concerts at the Lake Mirror Center Auditorium and once at the Bartow Civic Center. As the popularity of these concerts grew, The Lakeland Community Band soon outgrew the Lake Mirror Center Auditorium.  Concerts were moved to Youkey Theatre in The Lakeland Center.

With the retirement of Charles Minelli, the Band took on a new name, the Lakeland Concert Band. Ralph Landmeier and Vic Larsen shared the job of conducting the Band.  A nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation with a Board of Directors was formed in 2001 with Vic Larsen as Music Director and Conductor.  The Lakeland Concert Band, with the support of contributions and grants, has it own percussion instruments and has performed at Youkey Theatre in The Lakeland Center, Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College, and now St. Paul Lutheran Church, the venue for the 2025 – 2026 season.

The Lakeland Concert Band is currently under the direction of Kelly Goldberg, providing music entertainment to the citizens of Lakeland and surrounding communities with Jim Jackson serving as Associate Conductor.