The Grove City Community Winds group will mark its 10th anniversary year with concerts both in and out of state.

Under the direction of James Swearingen, the Community Winds was founded in September 2002. About 65 musicians ranging in age from early 20s to late 70s participate. Rehearsals are held once a week from September to June and the band annually performs a series of six concerts.

For the first time, the Community Winds will participate in the Ohio Music Education Association’s annual Professional Development Conference, held on Feb. 18. The Community Winds will be among seven bands chosen to perform. Swearingen said the convention will feature a sophisticated audience in the thousands, including music educators from around the state.

“The band has evolved to the point that we were ready for this,” Swearingen said.

The Community Winds will begin their program about 12:15 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the Columbus Convention Center. The concert is free and will feature a wide variety of musical selections. Robert Sheldon, John Philip Sousa and Swearingen will have their music performed. The Community Winds will play for about an hour.

In addition to achieving the opportunity to perform at a very high level, part of the Community Winds’ vision also included performing outside the state, Swearingen said. He suggested Washington, D.C., he said, because as a U.S. citizen he could “think of no greater place to go visit.”

On June 23, the band will perform in front of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

“I just thought this would be a great venue,” Swearingen said.

The memorial also holds personal significance to Swearingen, whose father served in WWII. Swearingen said this will be his first time visiting the memorial.

The D.C. trip probably will consist of a 50-piece band, Swearingen said. On June 21, the band will perform a concert with a community band from the D.C. area.

“We’re excited about that,” he said.

Swearingen said he hopes the community will continue to support the band’s endeavors.

“It’s just been an unbelievable journey to see how this has all come together,” he said.