A rousing salute coming to Ocala on April 26
The Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band will showcase its ‘Celebrate America – 250 Years and Counting’ concert for one performance only.
J. Craig Lilly conducts the Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band during a rehearsal at Howard Middle School in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, April 13, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
There are a number of local celebrations being lined up to honor our nation’s 250th birthday on July 4. And here is one you might want to consider attending — after all, what better way to celebrate than with rousing fanfare and blaring trumpets.
The Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band invites the community to a stirring musical tribute with its upcoming performance titled “Celebrate America – 250 Years and Counting.” This special event will take place at 3 p.m. April 26 in the Marion County Public Schools Auditorium at 1614 E. King St., Ocala, with one performance only.
during a rehearsal of the Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band at Howard
Middle School in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, April 13, 2026.
[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
The afternoon will kick off early with a 2 p.m. pre-concert set by the Semerad Jazzy Dixielanders, setting a festive stage for a program dedicated to the diverse sounds of the American spirit, organizers noted.
“Some of the songs that will be performed by the concert band include ‘American Overture’ by Joseph Wilcox Jenkins; ‘Dixieland Jam,’ by Bob Lowden, as a special memorial to one of our beloved band members who passed way last month; ‘America the Beautiful,’ arranged by Carmen Dragon; and a special narrative piece called ‘Duty, Honor, Country,’” noted band member Janet Voyles.
the Sun Concert Band at Howard Middle School in Ocala, Fla. on Monday,
April 13, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
Voyles noted that a major highlight of the event will be the presentation of the Les and Marcia Muncaster Scholarship. This year’s recipient, West Port High School senior Elizabeth Graff, will take the podium to guest-conduct “Mt. Everest,” a sweeping work by renowned American composer Rossano Galante.
“The Les and Marcia Muncaster Scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating high school member of the band based on their time with the band (two years minimum), their work ethic and their musical and academic achievements. Students are recommended by their band directors to play with the Kingdom of the Sun Band during their school years, with seasoned members of the band encouraging and mentoring them throughout this valuable experience. Elizabeth Graff has been a member of the Kingdom of the Sun’s saxophone section she was in 8th grade. Her years at Howard Middle School and Westport High School are filled with incredible musical achievements, which will be highlighted in our program book. She has vast experience conducting her peers in band over the years, so not only has she been selected to be this year’s scholarship recipient, she also is guest-conducting one of our music selections,” Voyles explained.
during a rehearsal at Howard Middle School in Ocala, Fla. on Monday,
April 13, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
The Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band, with J. Craig Lilly as conductor/music director, rehearses on Monday nights at the Howard Middle School band room. Its concerts are generally held in what once was known as the Marion Technical Institute auditorium, now named the Marion County Public Schools Auditorium.
“As the Kingdom of the Sun Band finishes its 36th season as Marion County’s exclusive all-volunteer community band, we continue to strive to bring free concerts to the public and opportunities for young musicians to grow in their own musical experiences,” Voyles offered. “The Kingdom of the Sun Band has also been a huge supporter of our veterans, dedicating a special concert every year (Veterans Lights the Stars every November) to our veterans, performing at the Ocala/Marion County Memorial Veterans Park every Memorial Day and more.”
the trumpet with other trumpeters during a rehearsal of the Kingdom
of the Sun Concert Band at Howard Middle School in Ocala, Fla. on Monday,
April 13, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
“As an all-volunteer band, and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we really heavily on our patrons and donations to continue our mission. These donated funds cover all of our expenses, which include venue fees, security fees during concerts, music purchases, instruments and equipment, rehearsal space fees and advertising and printing costs, to name a few,” Voyles noted.
during a rehearsal of the Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band at Howard
Middle School in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, April 13, 2026.
[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
According to its website, the band, originally known as Mid-Florida Symphonic Band, band was organized in March of 1990, under the direction of Carlton Hughes. During the band’s second season, the current name was adopted. An all-volunteer 501(c)(3) designated organization and the only symphonic concert band in Marion County, the band has grown from the original 30 members in 1990 to the present 90+ members. From seasoned professionals to middle school students, KOS members come from all walks of life, brought together through a shared love of music and performing. The band’s repertoire, as varied as its members, features John Philip Sousa to Gershwin, light classics to Broadway, Hollywood to Disney and popular songs of today and yesterday. Leslie N. Muncaster Jr. joined the band as conductor/music director in 1998 and, in 2022, upon his retirement, was awarded the title of director emeritus. David Fritz joined the band as conductor/music director, with J. Craig Lilly as associate director, that same year and, in June of 2023, KOS welcomed Lilly as conductor/music director.
To learn more, go to kingdomofthesunband.org
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