- July 22, 2026
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As music director and conductor of the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble, Joe Martinez wants to do more than simply present concerts.
Martinez said he is working to “enrich the cultural life of Lakewood Ranch.”
Since taking over as conductor in 2023 from Joe Maciariello Miller, the ensemble’s founder and music director emeritus, Martinez has worked on expanding the ensemble’s repertoire to include partnerships, scholarships, community outreach and a new venue to call home.
Once open in fall 2027, Rangeland High School will include a brand new theater with professional-level acoustics, and Martinez said the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble is hoping to become one of the theater’s resident ensembles.
The wind ensemble currently practices and performs at Peace Presbyterian Church. Martinez expressed gratitude for the church and excitement for the Rangeland Performing Arts Center.
Martinez has been pushing for a performing arts center in Lakewood Ranch for years. After plans for The Players Centre of Performing Arts in Lakewood Ranch fell through in 2022, Martinez created a blueprint for a 700-seat theater that would have included a 300-seat cabaret.
He proposed the location next to the Lakewood Ranch Library, but Manatee County had plans for a sports complex. Now, the Rangeland Performing Arts Center will be built at the nearby high school’s campus at the corner of Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard.
Martinez said the performing arts center is an opportunity for the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble to grow.
Once the 55-member ensemble is in place, the church can only seat another 250 people. The Rangeland Performing Arts Center will be able to seat over 700 people.
While Martinez said conversations with the district have been positive about the nonprofit using the facility, it’s not a done deal.
“While no agreements or plans have been finalized at this time, we look forward to continuing conversations and exploring potential opportunities as the school takes shape,” wrote Jamie Carson, the director of communications for the School District of Manatee County, in an email.
Martinez said the theater would help attract more musicians to play with the ensemble.
When planning a performance, Martinez doesn’t simply choose compositions. He curates the music to tell a story, so the audience doesn’t just remember one piece, but the entire experience.
He tries to highlight each performance with a nationally recognized guest artist.
The 2027 Memorial Day tribute at the Sarasota National Cemetery will feature retired Sgt. Maj. Bob McDonald, a vocalist who performed with the U.S. Army Chorus for over 26 years before retiring in 2020.
The guest artists are accomplished musicians or vocalists, as are the members of the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble.
An example is clarinetist John Fullam, who studied at the Juilliard School in New York and played Carnegie Hall. He’s held principal and associate principal clarinet positions with major orchestras such as the Boston Philharmonic, Utah Symphony and National Orchestral Association.
The ensemble attracts high-level musicians because they perform challenging pieces. The musicians need a certain level of skill to keep up with the ensemble.
In addition to the core group of 55 members, 150 musicians are on the call list. While most live in the local area, some musicians drive from as far as Venice and Apollo Beach to be a part of the ensemble.
Every one of the nonprofit’s musicians is a volunteer.
The wind ensemble also supports up-and-coming talent through its Excellence in Music Scholarship program. High school and college music students can apply. The students who are awarded scholarships are also featured as soloists in the ensemble’s performances.
Community outreach is a growing element of the group’s mission. Its resident brass quintet visits retirement communities and Rotary clubs.
The ensemble is also seeking grant opportunities to expand its reach. The Community Foundation of Sarasota awarded the group $2,500 last month to strengthen its fundraising and development efforts.
The ensemble applied to the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation for a grant to modernize its website.
Martinez noted that the ensemble maintains a lean, debt-free budget. But as the mission expands, the donor support needs to expand with it.
The ensemble dabbles in popular music to draw in crowds. This year’s program includes “Holiday Lights & Winter Nights,” an evening of Christmas favorites at Waterside Place. However, the focus is placed on orchestral pieces.
Martinez said there is a market in the Lakewood Ranch area for "more serious (band) literature.”
