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EAST LAKE SILVER SOUND
About the Silver Sound

More than a band.
A program with momentum.

The East Lake Silver Sound is the marching, concert, jazz, percussion, and color guard program at East Lake High School in Tarpon Springs, Florida — an FBA District 9 program competing as FMBC Class 4A.

Since 2018 the program has doubled in size. We're known for FBA Superior ratings, a Wind Ensemble that's earned its way to State MPA, a Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter chartered in 2013, and a community of families who treat each season like the most important fourteen weeks of the year. This is the program you're considering joining — or already part of.

Join the Silver Sound → Read Our Story
Our Mission

To support our students, directors, and families in their pursuit of the highest standards of music education, music performance, and personal growth — through servant leadership, fellowship, and a commitment to the place music holds in our community's cultural, intellectual, and social life.

— East Lake Band Boosters · 501(c)(3)
— Our Story

A program in motion.

Eight years ago the Silver Sound was a smaller, quieter version of itself. Today it's one of the most active and visible organizations on campus — and growing every year.

In 2018, Ian Black arrived as Director of Bands, taking on the Wind, Concert, Jazz, and Percussion Ensembles plus AP Music Theory and Music Technology. The program was solid, but had room to grow.

Two years later, membership had doubled. The Wind Ensemble began earning Superior ratings at FBA District MPA. Marching season expanded. The East Lake Classic — the program's annual marching invitational — grew into a 14-band regional event and the community fundraiser of the year.

Today the Silver Sound competes as FMBC Class 4A, an FBA District 9 program with a Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter chartered in 2013. Concert ensembles travel to state-level Solo & Ensemble. Color Guard moves into Winter Guard each December and competes through March. The marching band's average GPA is over 3.5.

What this means in plain English: the Silver Sound has become one of the most musically and academically respected programs in Pinellas County — and we're still building.
2×
Doubled in size
Since Mr. Black's arrival in 2018, the program's membership has more than doubled.
3.5+
Avg GPA
Marching band students consistently rank among East Lake's strongest academic performers.
21
Years strong
The 21st annual East Lake Classic took place in October 2025.
2013
Tri-M chartered
Our Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter has been recognizing excellence for over a decade.
6
Ensembles
Marching, Wind, Concert, Jazz, Percussion, and Color Guard — there's a place for every player.
— The Director

The person building the program.

Mr. Black has spent his career growing band programs that punch above their weight — first at Dunedin, now at East Lake. He's a Pinellas County native, a USF Honors graduate, a former Drum Major of the 300+ member Herd of Thunder, and the program's single source of truth on everything that happens in the band room.

From Dunedin to Tarpon Springs.

Before East Lake, Mr. Black served eight years as Director of Bands and Orchestra at Dunedin High School, where he led the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Scottish Highlander Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, and Percussion Ensembles as Department Chair. Under his direction, every Dunedin ensemble consistently earned Superior ratings, and the program steadily grew.

The Dunedin program traveled internationally — to Washington D.C. in 2012 as Overall Festival Champion at the Spirit of America Music Festival, to Disney for the nationally televised Disney Parks Christmas Parade, and to Stirling, Scotland in 2014 to perform for the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn at Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle.

In 2014, his Wind Ensemble earned its first Superior rating at FBA State Band MPA. In 2013, he was honored by the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association as the Kraf-Custer Outstanding Educator, and has twice been nominated for Pinellas County Secondary Music Educator of the Year.

"I am excited to join the faculty at East Lake. At the core of what I value are people and music. I believe in cultivating strong relationships and growing through meaningful experiences — all while creating exciting artistic and musical opportunities." — Ian Black, on joining East Lake in 2018
— What We Stand For

Four ideas we don't compromise on.

The Silver Sound looks the way it does because the boosters, the staff, and Mr. Black agree on what matters. These are the four things you'll see show up in everything we do.

01

People first.

Music is the medium. The point is the human beings making it. Every decision the program makes runs through that filter.

02

The standards are real.

FBA Superiors aren't accidents. We rehearse like we mean it, we expect every player to get better, and we treat ratings as evidence — not the goal.

03

Servant leadership.

The booster organization exists to support students, directors, and families — not the other way around. Ego is left in the parking lot.

04

Lifelong fellowship.

Band friendships outlast high school. The community that forms here — students, parents, alumni — keeps showing up long after graduation.

— Recognition

Track record. Stamped.

A snapshot of the program's recent recognition and Mr. Black's professional standing. We could fill the page — this is a curated highlight reel.

2025 21st Annual East Lake Classic14 visiting bands · regional FMBC event Hosted
Recurring FBA Superior ratings — Wind EnsembleMulti-year history at District and State MPA Superior
2018→ Program doubled in sizeMembership growth under Ian Black's leadership Growth
2013 Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter charteredRecognizing musical and academic achievement at ELHS Charter
2013 Kraf-Custer Outstanding Educator Award — Mr. BlackPinellas Classroom Teachers Association Honor
×2 Pinellas County Secondary Music Educator of the Year nominationMr. Black Nominated

Mr. Black is a member of

NAfME FMEA FBA FOA Pi Kappa Lambda Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
He has also served as both District Secretary and District Chairman for the Florida Bandmasters Association — meaning the program is led from inside the rooms where statewide standards are set.
— Where to Find Us

Tarpon Springs, Florida.
Pinellas County Schools.

The Silver Sound rehearses in the band room behind the East Lake auditorium and competes throughout Pinellas County and Florida every fall. We perform at every home football game and travel to a handful of away games and Saturday competitions.

If you're considering East Lake for high school — or you're already a student here — the band room is one of the first places to visit. Mr. Black's office is connected to it.

Address1300 Silver Eagle Lane
CityTarpon Springs, FL 34688
Phone727.942.5419
DistrictFBA District 9
ClassFMBC 4A
DirectorIan Black
501(c)(3)East Lake Band Boosters

The best way to know us is to be with us.

Whether you're a prospective student, a sponsoring business, or a community member who wants to support the program, there's a way in. Pick the one that fits.

Join the Silver Sound →

Here on behalf of a business or as a community supporter? Sponsorship tiers → · Make a donation →

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