Senior violinist performs ‘Star Spangled Banner’ at graduation

Casey Miltner played her own arrangement of the national anthem on Thursday at Tropicana Field.

Ok Watch Lakewood senior Casey Miltner perform her arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner on the violin at the start of the 2021 graduation ceremony on June 3 at Tropicana Field.

Music teacher Jacob Merrett raved about Miltner’s performance.

“Knowing how well Casey plays and being one of the few people who had heard her arrangement before, I was not especially surprised at how great it was, but she was outstanding nonetheless,” he said. “It was awesome to see her play in front of all those people with such poise. … Basically, she nailed it.”

At Lakewood, Miltner, who has played violin for five years, was in the orchestra, steel band and the Strings of Sparta. She was also selected to the Pinellas All-County Orchestra for several years. Outside Lakewood, she participated in the Pinellas Youth Symphony, Serenade Strings and the YMCA Golden Strings. In addition to violin, she plays electric bass and sings.

Miltner, who was voted most talented by her senior classmates, plans to attend Santa Fe College in Gainesville then transfer to the University of Florida, majoring in mechanical engineering and minoring in music performance.

Click here to see more photos of the Lakewood High School graduation.

Class of 2021 graduates