Long Beach Municipal Band

Summer 2009 - Centennial Concert Series
Celebrating the 100th year of
The Long Beach Municipal Band

PERFORMANCE DATES AND LOCATIONS
June 30th through August 14th
All concerts start at 6:30 p.m.

WEEK 1 - (June 30 - July 3)
1909-1924: In 1909 the City of Long Beach announces the formation of the Long Beach Municipal Band! Through these early years the music of George M. Cohan, George Gershwin and other composers from Tin Pan Alley had America singing. The Studio Band and Barbara Morrison kick off the summer in style.

  • Tuesday, June 30   Whaley Park
  • Wednesday, July 1   Los Cerritos
  • Thursday, July 2   Marine Stadium
  • Friday, July 3   El Dorado Park

WEEK 2 - (July 7 - 10)
1924-1937: From the Roaring Twenties came great music like Ragtime and Dixieland jazz. George Gershwin wrote his “Rhapsody in Blue.” Even though times were tough during the 1930s it was a great time in American music. John O’Campo sings with the Studio Band.

  • Tuesday, July 7   Whaley Park
  • Wednesday, July 8   Los Cerritos
  • Thursday, July 9   Marine Stadium
  • Friday, July 10   El Dorado Park

WEEK 3 - (July 14- 17)
1937-1950: Americans danced to the music of the famous big bands such as Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Glenn Miller. The Swing Dolls as “The Andrews Sisters” will stop by with a special treat you won’t want to miss. Derek Bordeaux brings his high energy and soulful Motown sound to the parks of Long Beach.

  • Tuesday, July 14   Whaley Park
  • Wednesday, July 15  Los Cerritos Park
  • Thursday, July 16   Marine Stadium
  • Friday, July 17   El Dorado Park

WEEK 4 - (July 21 - 24)
1950-1965: Duke Ellington records with the Count Basie band and Ella Fitzgerald records eight records making up the “Great American Songbook.” Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” has three records which sell over one million copies. Our own first lady of song, Barbara Morrison, returns for a second set with the Studio Band.

  • Tuesday, July 21   Bixby/Bluff Park
  • Wednesday, July 22  Los Cerritos Park
  • Thursday, July 23   Marine Stadium
  • Friday, July 24   El Dorado Park

WEEK 5 - (July 28 - 31)
1965-1979: From the Beatles and Stan Kenton to John Williams and Stevie Wonder the tumultuous ‘60s and ‘70s produced an overwhelming variety of musical genres. During this remarkable time The Carpenters started their singing careers at Cal State Long Beach. Carol Welsman sings with the Studio Band.

  • Tuesday, July 28   Bixby/Bluff Park
  • Wednesday, July 29  Los Cerritos Park
  • Thursday, July 30   Marine Stadium
  • Friday, July 31   El Dorado Park

WEEK 6 - (August 4-7)
1979-1995: The 1980s continued to bring major changes in the music scene; the invention of the CD and MTV! In musical theater, Phantom of the Opera attracts record audiences. "Porgy and Bess" finally receives its acceptance as world class opera with its first performance by a major company, The Metropolitan Opera. Jackie DePiro sings with the Studio Band.

  • Tuesday, August 4   Bixby/Bluff Park
  • Wednesday, August 5  Los Cerritos Park
  • Thursday, August 6   Marine Stadium
  • Friday, August 7   El Dorado Park

WEEK 7 - (August 11-14)
1995-2009: Now it’s our time after 100 years of music. We look back on the unbelievable musical journey of the Long Beach Municipal Band and salute all who have come before. During this final week of the 2009 summer season you will hear the latest and greatest music of the stars of today performed by one of the finest community bands in the history of our nation - your Long Beach Municipal Band! Tony Galla will have the park up and dancing for a super finale with the Studio Band.2009.

  • Tuesday, August 11   Bixby/Bluff Park
  • Wednesday, August 12  Los Cerritos Park
  • Thursday, August 13  Marine Stadium
  • Friday, August 14   El Dorado Park


CATERING NOW AVAILABLE!
If you are looking to have a picnic in the park while listening to the delightful sounds of the Municipal Band, then look no further.  Catering is now available at the Municipal Band concerts!  Even if you pack your own picnic, if you are at a loss for time or looking for less hassle, more convenience, and no clean-up, then take a look at the order form!
You can place an order up til 10AM the day of the concert via phone: (562) 499-7565 or fax: (562) 499-7532. Payment accepted via cashier's check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or cash.  Your order can be picked up at the SAVOR... Retail Food Service Outlet located at the park on the day of the event.


History
The Long Beach Municipal Band is one of the most distinguished and professional Municipal Bands in the United States. The player personnel in this wonderful ensemble includes the best of the Southern California's symphony, studio recording and jazz performers. This diversity of talent provides Long Beach audiences with impressive concerts of jazz, movie, musical and light classical literature. The Band also combines with talented guest vocalists weekly to guarantee that your family's summer evening in the park will be the highlight of the week.


The Long Beach Municipal Band has been entertaining area residents for 99 years. Its history is well known and appreciated not only in this community but also in music circles around the world. Present conductor Larry Curtis continues a tradition of musical excellence established by such notable conductors as the famous Sousa cornet player Herbert L. Clarke and composer J. J. Richards.
Long Beach Municipal Band

Conductor Larry Curtis
Larry Curtis, after a distinguished career in university music performance, has achieved acclaim as a professional conductor. He will return for his sixteenth season this summer as director of the Long Beach Municipal Band, the nation's most distinguished professional community wind ensemble. Curtis' diverse musical background is exemplified by his more recent conducting engagements with the Sydney Wind Orchestra of Australia, the Los Angeles Brass Ensemble, the Pacific Symphony Orchestra and the Americus Brass Band, an ensemble which performs on authentic instruments of the 19th century.


Notable performances include an "Imagination Celebration" concert in conjunction with New York's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, a live concert broadcast from Suisse Romane Studios in Geneva, Switzerland, a command performance for the "Society for the Preservation of Film Music," as well as conducting at the Hollywood Bowl. He has established an international reputation with his conducting achievements in Japan, Scotland, Canada, England, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Australia.
Long Beach Municipal Band