Lee County Community Band opens season with ‘The American Journey: 1776-2026’
Some of Lee County’s top musicians will kick off a new season of song this weekend in Cape Coral with an ode to America.
The Lee County Community Band is inviting veterans, service members, military families and veterans organizations, as well as Southwest Florida residents and visitors, to the opening concert of its 2026-27 season, “The American Journey: 1776-2026.”
The free concert takes place this Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Mariner High School auditorium in Cape Coral.
Honoring 250 years of freedom and service, the concert celebrates America’s story through patriotic music, military tributes, classic marches, jazz, blues, popular favorites and audience sing-alongs. Admission is free, donations are welcome, and all members of the public are invited to attend.
“We felt that ‘The American Journey: 1776-2026’ was the perfect way to open our season because 2026 marks 250 years since the founding of our country,” said LCCB spokesperson Joanne Correia. “With the concert taking place near Veterans Day, it also gives us a meaningful opportunity to recognize the veterans, service members and military families whose sacrifices have protected the freedoms we celebrate. Music has a wonderful way of bringing people together, and we wanted our opening concert to begin the season with gratitude, pride and a strong sense of community.”
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If You Go
What: Lee County Community Band’s “The American Journey: 1776-2026.”
When: Sunday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m.
Where: Mariner High School, 701 Chiquita Boulevard North
More info: For more information, visit LeeCountyBand.org or contact LeeCountyCommunityBand@gmail.com
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The program features vocalist Fred Lamb, brother of Music Director Kathy Lamb Williams. Lamb spent many years as a vocalist with The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and will perform several selections with the Lee County Community Band under his sister’s direction.
The program lineup includes “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful,” “American Soldier,” “An American Fanfare,” “An American Salute,” “Salute to the Armed Services,” “Semper Fidelis,” “The Liberty Bell March,” “The Best of the West,” “In the Mood,” “St. Louis Blues,” “Pop and Rock Legends: Chicago,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag / This Is My Country” and “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
“Attendees can expect much more than a traditional patriotic concert,” Correia said. “The program takes the audience on an American musical journey through patriotic music, military tributes, classic marches, jazz, blues, popular favorites and audience sing-alongs. It will be uplifting, entertaining and meaningful — and because admission is free, it is an afternoon the entire family can enjoy together.”
Williams begins her first full season as music director of the 60-piece volunteer band. A lifelong French horn player and accomplished educator, she brings more than four decades of music-education experience to the podium.
“Kathy combines deep musical knowledge with the ability to teach, encourage and bring musicians together,” Correia said. “She respects the band’s long history while bringing fresh energy and ideas to its future. That combination makes her an excellent choice to lead our 60-piece volunteer band into its next chapter.”
Founded Nov. 21, 1885, the Lee County Community Band continues the musical tradition of the Fort Myers Brass Band and is one of America’s oldest surviving community bands. Its volunteer musicians share their time and talent to bring live concert-band music to Southwest Florida.
The Mariner High School auditorium is at 701 Chiquita Blvd. N. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated.
Look for band concert parking signs at the corner of Chiquita and Tropicana Parkway to find parking.
For more information, visit LeeCountyBand.org or contact LeeCountyCommunityBand@gmail.com.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com