The program included a variety of popular holiday pieces and a special selection for children in attendance. Doors opened at 1:15 with a pre-show by The Ultimate Dance Center at 1:45 and the band concert starting at 2:30. The concerts and parking were free and no tickets are needed.
Pictures from the concert are posted below.
Christmas Concert Sunday December 8, 2024
Ultimate Dance Studio Performed the PreShow
The Ultimate Dance Center performers
Lakeland Concert Band
Ken Brady singing White Christmas with the audienceVic Larsen singing Feliz Navidad with Kelly Goldberg conductingChildren in attendance had the opportunity to direct the band as they performed Sleigh RideOur youngest guest conductors introduced themselves to the audience after conducting
The Lakeland Concert Band performed our first concert of the 2024-2025 season at the Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College. The Pre-Show was performed by Ultimate Entertainment. Doors opened at 1:15 with the Pre Show starting at 1:45. The Band Concert started at 2:30. The complete concert and Pre-Show may be viewed on our Selected Performances page.
The concert and parking was free and no tickets were needed. Donations are very much appreciated and may be given at the concert or online through our Support Us page.
Pictures from the Concert
The Star Spangled Banner with vocal by Ken Brady. Conducted by Vic LarsenO Canada with vocal by Judy Comings conducted by Vic LarsenAssociate Conductor Kelly GoldbergAssociate Conductor Jim JacksonPreshow by Ultimate Entertainment, combination of four local dance studios.
The Lakeland Concert Band performed at the return of the April 30, 2024 Flight to Honor which is a program of the Polk County Veterans Council. The performance was in the evening to greet veterans as the flight returned from Washington DC. The performance was at the Lakeland Linder International Airport, passenger terminal.
The band played a program of patriotic and popular music familiar to veterans for the those awaiting the flight as well as during the arrival of the veterans. We joined by many who awaited the opportunity to honor our veterans. More information on the Flight to Honor program is available on their web page.
Our final concert of the 2023-2024 season, our 45th, was April 21, 2024. The Concert was held at the Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College. Doors opened at 1:15, pre-show at 1:45, and the band concert began at 2:30. The concert and parking are free and no tickets are needed.
Our 2024-2025 Season will begin in mid September with weekly band practices. Our first concert will be in the Fall of 2024, specific dates to be determined.
Preshow featuring Ken Brady, of The CasinosKen Brady, of The Casinos
Meditation, by Jules Massenet, with featured Flute Soloists Christina Campbell and Mollie TewLondonderry Air, an old Irish melody, with Ken Brady vocalistThe Impossible Dream, by Mitch Leigh & Joe Darion, with John Monforto vocalistDeir’ In De, traditional Irish lullaby, David Cree, Guest ConductorThe Genius of Ray Charles, arranged by Michael Brown, Don Conaway, Guest Conductor
Our Winter Concert will be presented Sunday, January 21, 2024 at the Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College. Doors open at 1:15, pre-show at 1:45, and the band concert begins at 2:30. The Pre Show will feature Ken Brady, of the Original Casinos. The concert and parking are free and no tickets are needed.
We hope you can join us!
The complete concert performance and Preshow is posted on the selected performance page, courtesy of Florida Southern College.
On December 8, 2023, The Lakeland Concert Band supported the change of command ceremony for the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center at Lakeland Linder International Airport. The NOAA Aircraft Operations Center is the home base for the world-famous Hurricane Hunters, who protect the nation by conducting flight operations to gather data necessary for predicting hurricane strength and direction as well as conducting other critical weather research.
The ceremony marked the departure of Captain Chistopher Kerns and the assumption of command by Captain Nathan Kahn. Rear Admiral Chad Cary, Deputy Director of NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and the NOAA Commissioned Corps presided over the change of command ceremony.
Selections played by the band during the ceremony included Ruffles and Flourishes, The Admirals March, Eternal Father, Into the Oceans and the Air (The official march of the NOAA commissioned officer corps), Stars and Stripes Forever, America the Beautiful, Americans We, White Christmas, and Sleigh Ride.
The Lakeland Concert Band was honored to be invited once more to support this event.
Vic Larsen, ConductorLakeland Concert Band. Break between morning rehearsal and change of command ceremony.Change of Command. Rear Admiral Cary, Captain Kerns, & Captain KahnRear Admiral Cary presents award to Captain KernsRear Admiral Cary during his remarksEnsign Brewer, NOAA liaison with the band in 2021Ensign Benningfield, NOAA liaison with the band in 2023
NOAA Commander’s Coin presented to the Lakeland Concert Band in appreciation of support
“Kermit”, one of NOAA’s Lockheed WP-3D Orion “Hurricane Hunters”
Our annual Christmas concert was presented Sunday, December 10, 2022 at the Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College. The program included a variety of popular holiday, Christmas, and Hanukkah pieces and a special selection for children in attendance. Doors opened at 1:15, pre-show at 1:45 was performed by the Ultimate Dance Center, and the band concert began at 2:30. The concerts and parking are free and no tickets are needed.
2023 Lakeland Concert BandChildren conducting the band during the musical selection Sleigh RideChildren conducting the band during the musical selection Sleigh RideIntroducing the children to the audience
The Pre Show
The Pre Show was performed by the Ultimate Dance Center, which offers a variety of styles of dance for all ages and levels of experience. Dancers from other local studios also were invited to perform.
The Lakeland Concert Band performed our annual Salute to Veterans concert on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at the Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College. Ken Brady of the Original Casinos introduced Rich Wilson who performed the Pre Show. Doors opened at 1:15 with Pre Show at 1:45, and the Band Concert at 2:30. The concert and parking are free and no tickets are needed.
This was the opening concert of our 2023/24 season!
