- December 21, 2024
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Joe Miller founded the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble and he conducts the group during its first concert at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.
Composer, music director and musician Dick Hyman of Venice was on hand to listen to the performance, which included his "Down Home Melody."
Joe Miller founded the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble and he conducts the group during its first concert at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.
Kevin Gibbons of Horseshoe Cove performs on the Trumpet.
Venice's Karen Bowles makes the trip to perform with the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble.
North Port's Lynn Cleary plays the marimba.
Sarasota's Jim Damoulakis waits his turn during the performance.
Percussionist Scott Blum of East County said founder Joe Miller brings a positive sense of energy to the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble.
Sarasota's Karen Romig, the first flute, said many of the musicians played together in the Venice and Port Charlotte areas.
Sarasota's Jim Damoulakis and his fellow Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble members had few rehearsals before the event, but they were met with stirring ovations.
The debut of the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble drew 240 people to Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.
Sarasota's Karen Romig, the first flute, said many of the musicians played together in the Venice and Port Charlotte areas.
Joe Miller founded the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble and he conducts the group during its first concert at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.
Joe Miller founded the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble and he conducts the group during its first concert at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.
After its debut Nov. 24 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Lakewood Ranch, one thing was apparent about the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble.
It's going to need a bigger room.
The church's Parish Center was packed with 240 people who thoroughly enjoyed selections such as "Down Home Melody" by Venice's Dick Hyman, "American Salute" by Morton Gould and "Broadway Show Stoppers" that is arranged by Warren Barker.
The ensemble was brought together by Joe Miller, who performed with the Venice Symphony for 11 years. Miller moved to Lakewood Ranch a year ago and started to research the idea of founding a wind ensemble. In April, 30 musicians showed up at Manatee High School for a reading session and the ensemble began to take shape.
"But we had nowhere to rehearse or play," Miller said. "Saturday mornings was the best time for rehearsals but we would have had to pay money at all of the schools. Then we found Our Lady of the Angels."
Gia Havender, the Our Lady of the Angels music director, welcomed the ensemble and that led to the Nov. 24 concert, which featured 38 top musicians.
Sarasota's Karen Romig, the group's first flute, said many of the ensemble's musicians formerly played for the Venice and Port Charlotte symphonies and were seeking a new home.
"We have a great group of musicians here and it's been nice to collaborate with them," she said.
Percussionist Scott Blum of East County has been so impressed with the lineup, he gave up a paying gig Nov. 24 so he could perform in Lakewood Ranch.
"Joe (Miller) has a sense of energy and this has been a chance to play fun, challenging music," Blum said.
Miller said the wind ensemble is a work in progress and he welcomes experienced musicians to see if they would enjoy playing with the group. Miller can be reached at 518-376-7973.
The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble expects to perform next in March.
