Lauren E. Ward of Annapolis, Maryland, formerly of Tamaqua, performed last month in the 2015 Maryland All State Community Band Concert, directed by Dr. Harlan Parker. It was held at Centennial High School in Ellicott City, Maryland.

The Maryland All State Community Band was created to give talented community musicians from across the state of Maryland the opportunity to play challenging music with other community band members. Musicians from all over the state auditioned for the opportunity to play with Dr. Parker of the Peabody Conservatory.Representing 16 different community concert bands in Maryland, the musicians rehearsed for one day before the performance.Lauren is a member of the Bay Winds Band of Annapolis and also performs with a flute ensemble in Ellicott City where she plays flute and piccolo. She is a full-time music teacher in the Anne Arundel County School District and teaches students at Broadneck Elementary School and Cape St. Claire Elementary School.Lauren is a 2014 summa cum laude graduate of Lebanon Valley College, where she earned a bachelor of science in music education and a bachelor of arts in music performance.She attained dean's list for all eight semesters while at LVC.She was valedictorian of the Tamaqua Area High School Class of 2010 where she was a member of the Raider Marching Band for six years.She was also a member of the Cressona Band and the Third Brigade Band of Pottsville and played with the Anthracite Philharmonic before moving to Maryland last year.Lauren is the daughter of Thomas and Ruth Ward and granddaughter of Margaret Steele, all of Tamaqua, and James J. Ward of Nesquehoning.