LAKELAND, Fla. — The Lakeland High School Band Wind Symphony is preparing for a big national competition. They will perform at the Bands of America National Concert Festival in Indianapolis this week. 

  • Lakeland High Wind Symphony to perform in national competition
  • Band was picked during a blind audition
  • Band has claimed 13 state titles over the years

The band was picked during a blind audition process. That means selection judges listened to a recording of the band but didn't know who they were listening to. 

The band will leave Wednesday for the competition that starts on Thursday. The band has an impressive history. It has claimed 13 state titles over the years so members have a lot of natural confidence. 

One of the members with lots of confidence is trumpet player Peter Perez. He said he gets a lot of his musical swagger from his father Pedro who is a musician. 

"Recently it's getting more competitive at the house," he said. "I'll be playing the guitar or trumpet or whatever, learning something. And he's like, 'Oh you could do it this way.' And I'm like, 'No you can do it this way.'"

The LHS football team won its seventh state title this season so there is some good natured pressure for the band to follow up with a win at the band competition. "Little bit. Little bit," said director of bands Zachary Murdock. "The expectations are high here at Lakeland High school."

Team members have worked really hard to make the trip to Indianapolis. They have done lots of fundraisers to come up with the $70,000 in travel expenses. 

Spectrum Bay News 9 traffic reporter Chuck Henson will be an emcee at the competition.