Brandon Mason has a vision to bring the Leesburg High School band back to the spotlight and compete on the big stage.

A 2013 graduate of Leesburg High and a Stetson University alumnus, Brandon took over as band director this year with one major goal, to return the Yellow Jackets’ music program to prominence.

(Brandon Mason is a well known band director in Lake County. He graduated from Leesburg High and has now returned to give back to the program that helped him fall in love with music.)

“It’s been six years since the band’s competed,” Brandon says. “We’re planning to attend two competitions this year at West Port High and Oviedo.”

The Swarm of Sound, as they are known in the community, has not stopped performing. They have attended events at the football games and school events but the big competitions have not been a part of the program in a long time. That’s what Brandon will be changing in 2025/26.

Brandon’s roots in Leesburg run deep. Born and raised in the city, he initially enrolled at Stetson as a business major, following the entrepreneurial path of much of his family. But a turning point before his senior year of high school led him to change direction.

(The Leesburg High School band has been practicing hard this summer. Their goal is to return to competition this season for the first time in six years.)

“I wasn’t a ‘band nerd’ in high school,” Brandon says. “But I had this moment where I realized I wanted to give back through music. That’s when I switched to music education, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

After college, Brandon spent a few years teaching elementary school before returning home to join the staff at Carver Middle School. Over the past decade, he’s become a fixture in Leesburg’s music education scene and a familiar face to students and families. His passion and dedication has produced some of the most beautiful band concerts in our area. Now, Brandon is looking to give back to the school that gave him his start in the profession.

“There’s something special about staying in one place and giving back to your hometown,” he says. “This is where I was raised. There’s no shortage of community support here.”

(The Swarm of Sound as they are known has been a fixture at Leesburg High Football games for decades providing the soundtrack to Friday Night Football Games.)

The journey to rebuild the program won’t be easy. The band’s marching uniforms are over 20 years old, and their band truck was sadly vandalized last year. Brandon estimates it could take $200,000 to fully restore the program’s resources including $60,000 to $80,000 for new uniforms alone.

“It’s going to take a few years of fundraising,” he says.

Despite the challenges, Brandon remains focused on growth. Beyond marching band competitions, the program is planning two jazz concerts, parade performances, and community appearances by its swing band. The band will be evaluated in both scholastic and competitive divisions this year, a major step toward regaining its footing.

“This isn’t just about trophies,” Brandon says. “It’s about giving kids the same experiences I had, moments that build pride and passion. This is about giving kids an opportunity to compete and make memories that will last a lifetime.”

(While the band hopes to return to competition this year, the real hard work is just beginning as the Swarm of Sound will need new uniforms and other equipment in the coming years. Still the students are just excited to be getting back to competition.)

Brandon has another fun story and one of a local duo creating lasting memories at a school just down the road in Tavares. The Big Red Marching band is directed by Cole Bushman and Gavin Hall who are great friends of Brandon.

“Cole Bushman and I were college roommates at Stetson University and went through school together. Gavin Hall lived part time at our house so we all grew really close. I see what the Big Red Band is doing and I am very proud of them both,” says Brandon.

One thing is for sure, Brandon brings a great vision to a program that has needed this kind of leadership. If you have ever heard the Leesburg High Band they bring great sound to local Friday nights bringing the sound to the football games. They have so much potential and this year and we are looking forward to what they will continue to build in the coming years.