Roger Schneider never envisioned national acclaim when he and a handful of friends formed the East Winds Symphonic Band 28 years ago.

"Back then, we were just a group of amateur musicians who wanted to get together in the eastern suburbs and play," said Mr. Schneider, of Murrysville.

But national recognition was what the band got when it was named this year's recipient of the Sudler Silver Scroll Award, given by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.

The East Winds Symphonic Band is the first community band from southwestern Pennsylvania to win the award, which is believed to be the highest honor for community bands.

The award is given to community bands that have achieved excellence in performance and made a cultural contribution to the surrounding region, said Ron Keller, chairman of the selection committee.

The band rehearses at Trinity Christian School in Forest Hills because it is a central location for most members and plays about 12 concerts a year in various communities.

Last year, the band played indoor and outdoor concerts in Monroeville, Ligonier Borough, Murrysville, Greensburg, Cranberry and Oakland.

The highlight of 2008, Mr. Schneider said, was an invitation to perform at the Association of Concert Bands national convention in Corning, N.Y.

To compete for the Sudler Silver Scroll Award, each band submits a scrapbook containing recommendations from local dignitaries and three letters of recommendation from noted conductors who have heard and conducted the band, Mr. Keller said.

Bands also must submit newspaper clippings, programs of several years of concerts, a history of the band and membership rosters and recordings.

Then a panel composed of 16 conductors listens to each band and makes a recommendation. The judges do not know the name of the bands, so favoritism does not come into play, Mr. Keller said.

After the bands have been judged, the panel meets in December in Chicago and reviews all of them and their applications, verifying their credibility. Then a final vote is cast.

"There have been several years when no band was selected, and once we awarded three bands," he said.

Mr. Schneider, who plays the euphonium in the East Winds band and arranges some of its performances, said the group started with a handful of musicians and now has more than 70 members.

Susan Sands, a former Monroeville resident now living in Sewickley, has been directing the band since 1990.

"Her skill as a conductor working with us amateur musicians is what really has made our band so good," Mr. Schneider said.

Mrs. Sands said the group is not just a band but a community group.

"Our musicians come from all around Pittsburgh and from all walks of life," she said. "Our members are college students, engineers, public employees, bus drivers, retirees and even some professional musicians."

Mrs. Sands' husband, Tom, plays clarinet in the band.

"Our goal in starting the band back in 1981 was to provide an opportunity for serious, amateur musicians to be part of a high-quality band," Mr. Schneider said.

"Receiving the award means we've been able to reach our original goals."