By Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
The Lake Orion percussion band is no stranger to accolades and accomplishments that have cemented them within Michigan’s musical elite.
They’ve won state honors, state championships, international competitions, but in a couple weeks they’ll be able to add another performance to already impressive record.
The 54-member band will be leading a parade of high-end vehicles around Cobo Hall for the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Percussion Director Paul Loos was contacted by a parent of a former band member who heard the NAIAS was looking for percussion bands to perform during the show. That parent connected with the NAIAS and Lake Orion was selected.
‘I think what we’re going to do at the auto show is come with some of the unexpected,? Loos said. ‘We’re going to catch people by surprise because the people are there for cars but we look forward to making the experience more memorable by adding some music that they can enjoy and a performance they can also take with them outside of the car show.?
The band will be leading a group of Ferraris, Aston Martins, Corvettes and Jaguars around Cobo while performing an original piece written by Loos.
Loos, who’s been the percussion director for five years said it’s an ‘energetic cadence that allows all ages to enjoy and it’s certainly has a good enough groove that everybody will be able to enjoy it.?
According to Loos, Lake Orion was asked to do the charity preview event on the show’s first day but Loos felt it would be too much too soon to put upon his musicians.
‘Due to the rigorous schedule that these kids have already, I didn’t want to overbook them,? he said. ‘We are preparing for our first competition in less than three weeks which is an international competition.?
Lake Orion will be performing on Friday, January 22 at 7 p.m. and Loos is excited for the change of environment his students will be thrown into.
‘I’m most excited about putting them in a new environment that I think is going to create a very enjoyable and organic experience,? he said. ‘Putting them in a different environment that is zero competition and 100 percent enjoying the show,?
Tickets for the auto show are $13 for adults and $7 for seniors and children. For more information about the auto show visit naias.com.