One of the most beloved institutions in Long Beach, the Long Beach Municipal Band, will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine and Partners of Parks are planning a “Centennial Gala” on Saturday, March 14, the actual 100th anniversary of the band’s very first concert.
The community is invited to the Gala celebration, which begins at 6:30pm in the Grand Ballroom of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., and includes dinner, a concert by the Long Beach Municipal Band, dancing to the Long Beach Municipal Studio Band featuring vocalist Barbara Morrison, and a silent auction with many exciting and unique items.
“This will truly be a great celebration in the City of Long Beach,” said Mayor Bob Foster. “The Municipal Band has been a favorite cultural commodity in Long Beach. I hope residents will join me at the gala to celebrate the 100th anniversary of one of the city’s most historic treasures.”
The Long Beach Municipal Band is the oldest and most distinguished municipally supported band in the country. Since 1909, it has been appreciated locally and around the world. 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. The band’s personnel includes some of the best of Southern California’s symphony, jazz and studio recording artists. This diversity of talent provides Long Beach audiences with impressive concerts of jazz, movie, Broadway, popular, and light classical music.
The Centennial Gala proceeds will help support the band’s annual summer season of free concerts in Long Beach parks through Partners of Parks, a nonprofit, public benefit corporation, supporting public parks, recreation and marine programs, and facilities in the City of Long Beach.
For more information, or to reserve a ticket at $100 per person, visit www.partnersofparks.org or call (562) 570-3538.
