- July 12, 2025
-
-
Loading
Loading
The Lakewood Ranch High School music department has received the "Support Music Merit Award" from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Eighty-seven schools in the nation receive the distinction and Lakewood Ranch is one of two Florida schools so honored.
John Wilkerson, the director of bands at Lakewood Ranch High School, answered 30 pages of questions for the application to qualify. The music department includes the band, choir and orchestra. Rebekah Lester is the choir director and Thomas Durante is the orchestra director.
Durante said the staff and students “work so hard, so it's good to be recognized.”
Lester said she is proud of her students and the music team, which goes above and beyond to give students memorable and valuable music and educational experiences.
“The NAMM Foundation does this to (identify) viable music programs from across the United States that have great resources in the way of funding, administration, student support, parent support and community support,” Wilkerson said.
Questions that Wilkerson answered ranged from information about funding and graduation requirements to the level of support and community outreach the program has.
“In the 26 years I've been a music educator, this is the best administration I've ever worked for,” Wilkerson said. “They back you 100 percent.”
Lakewood Ranch High Principal Dustin Dahlquist said the music program has always been an integral part of the school.
“It enhances skills like discipline, creativity, and teamwork. Music boosts a student's memory, language, and mathematics abilities,” Dahlquist said. “Our music programs increase student engagement, build student confidence, and foster a sense of appreciation for cultural differences.”
Sophomore Ishaal Sorathia is involved in both band and choir and has found a sense of belonging in both groups. She sees Wilkerson as a father figure and appreciates that he treats his students like his own kids. Sorathia said Lester has provided her a lot of encouragement as well.
“She's never mad or upset. She always just lets you know that she's grateful for you even being there and that she’s happy that you're trying your best,” Sorathia said.
Wilkerson and his program has received various awards this year, including the Florida Music Education Association’s “Music Education Service Award” and the Florida’s 16th District Congressional Education Awards’ “Teacher and Instructional Staff Award.”
He wants his students to receive recognition for the program's achievements.
“He sticks his neck out for us so much, with things in the band program and color guard, winter guard and indoor percussion,” said Aly Harmon, a sophomore who plays various forms of clarinet and alto saxophone in the band.
She will also be a drum major next year who will help conduct the band.
“It's just overall amazing people and an amazing program,” she said.
The band has achieved a lot in the 2024-2025 school year, including breaking a record for the highest score in LRHS band history when the Indoor Percussion won the silver medal, placing second overall, in the Percussion Scholastic A TAMA-Bergerault Division at the FFCC Championships in Daytona March 29.
On April 5, the jazz band performed at the Jacksonville University Jazz Festival and earned straight superiors, which is the highest designation possible, per the Florida Bandmasters Association. The jazz band was named as one of the top 12 jazz bands in Florida.
"One of his core principles, which is my absolute favorite, is the idea that we can approach him with any idea or even a disagreement, as long as we have a 'why,'" said Color Guard Director Zoe Pugliesi of Wilkerson. "While some may overlook the significance of this, it’s an invaluable lesson — one that teaches the importance of reason and purpose behind all we do."
The Lakewood Ranch Bands website states, "We are incredibly proud of our Musical Mustangs each and every time they step out onto a football field, at a competition, or at a concert, knowing the dedication and hard work it has taken to get to that point."
