KCAL At Marine Stadium Tonight

Suzie Suh and photog Ken Koller from KCAL9/KCBS were at Marine Stadium tonight covering the Municipal Band.  Here is the package aired during the 9pm broadcast:

 Photog Ken Koller with Suzie Suh

Live truck WITHOUT beFrank in it

Conductor Larry Curtis gets interviewed

My view from the stage

Ken getting the crowd shots

The mast over the Muni Band

101 Years And The Long Beach Municipal Band Is History?

I've been employed by the City of Long Beach as a flutist with the Long Beach Municipal Band since 1985. Last night the 40 members of band were shocked to learn that, after 101 years of service to the citizens of Long Beach, the band's final concert of the 101st season would be the last one in the band's history. Do you think the 70,000 people we see every summer will miss us?
Can this be stopped? The city council has the final say.
I'll keep you posted.


UPDATE: The City Council will meet on Tuesday, August 10 at 3:30pm at Long Beach City Hall, 333 W. Ocean Blvd to decide the fate of the Municipal Band.

Posted via email from Teri's posterous

Nixon Flutes

The first orchestra rehearsal for Long Beach Opera's production of "Nixon In China" was last night. Fellow Muni Band flutist Eileen is joing me on this quest. The music is challenging and never boring. Eileen and I both laid in a supply of Girl Scout Cookies from keyboardist Lisa as a balm against practice related brain depletion. We're back at it this afternoon at 2. Thin Mints anyone?

I'm guest blogging on LBO's Blog.

Posted via email from Teri's posterous

Muni Band In Review

I've been too occupied playing in the band to blog about it.

What I can do is show you the season so far.

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Please bring your picnic and join us for Week Four.

See you in the parks of Long Beach!

It's A Sign!

Marine Stadium was filled to overflowing last night for its first Long Beach Municipal Band concert of the summer.

The crowd was the first of the year to see the magnificent new sign celebrating 100 years of Muni Band:

Fortunately, last night's audience contained trumpet player Chris Eble. Chris, a Muni Band regular, is on leave this season to play "Spamalot" at the Ahmanson Theater. He dropped by with his family to listen to the concert (we're THAT good!). The traffic in the greater Los Angeles area was HORRIFIC last night - so much so that one of the trumpet players got hopelessly mired in congestion and was unable to make the downbeat.

Along came Chris to the rescue! With the aid of Muni Band Crew member John and his trumpets, Chris jumped into action. Way to go Chris!

Also on hand was Darlene, the winner of a silent auction prize at March's Municipal Band Gala. Darlene's bid secured her the opportunity to conduct the band in the "Washington Post March":

She did a wonderful job!

To top the evening off, vocalist Barbara Morrison wowed the crowd:

You've got another chance to see us and our fabulous new sign tonight at 6:30 at El Dorado Park.

Be there or be square.

Mayor Bob Conducts The Municipal Band

City of Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster joined conductor Larry Curtis at this afternoon's Long Beach Municipal Band rehearsal at Long Beach City College.

It was an honor to have the Mayor drop by, but we were in for a special treat.

The former trumpet player stood in front of the band and conducted Stars and Stripes Forever.

He rocked it.

His favorite part?

"The Little Music Things".

Translation: the piccolo part played by us:

Come join us in the parks of Long Beach.

The Little Music Things are featured every night this week.

Complete Schedule Here

Muni Uni - The Reveal

The Long Beach Municipal Band met for the first rehearsal of it's 100th season this afternoon at Long Beach City College.

We were there to look over the more complicated music we would be facing in the next 7 weeks.

We were also issued our uniforms for the season:

A men's small seems mighty big to me.

I've got my cotton band shirts in the washing machine right now using hot water, and will follow with the dryer set on high heat in hopes of reducing the acreage.

I do this every year.

It never works.

No matter. It's HIGHLY comfortable, and I am far from fashion conscious.

If you want to see a whole bandstand in identical attire, please join us for the first concert of our 100th season tomorrow at 6:30pm in Whaley Park on the NORTH side of Atherton.

It's going to be a great summer!

Muni Band Mock Set Up 2009

Before the first concert of the Long Beach Municipal Band Centennial Season takes place on Tuesday, a lot of back-breaking labor will already have been invested.

The truck load in took place on Wednesday at El Dorado Park.

The mock set up took place at Marine Stadium on Thursday.

For years I didn't really realize that this stage for 38 musicians complete with individual mics does not appear on its own.

For years I would appear at the gig for the sound check at 6pm and leave after my set by 7:30.

Then, at the suggestion of the 2nd oboe player, I began to stay for the Jazz Band set nightly. It is magnificent music. Why did I leave early all those years?

At the suggestion of another wise colleague, I began to get to know the crew. I had never really paid attention to them, but came to realize and appreciate the long hours of toil they invested, both before and after the concerts, under the watchful eye of stage manager Greg Flores:

Years ago I began bringing them snacks to help ease the long day. They were so appreciative, and I discovered that they were also hilarious company and fine musicians in their own right.

As the years progressed I was bestowed with the title "Honorary Crew", one of my favorite to this day.

It is amazing to see how a vacant park is transformed into a performance venue. The set-up starts at around noon.

For a real treat, stay for the tear down after the concert. The choreography is dazzling and the feats of strength amazing (I'm not kidding!).

There was one member of the crew who was virtually invisible during the long years of snack sharing and conversation. Although he was always there, he sat quietly without uttering a word. That is until 5 years ago when the veil was lifted, we looked at each other, and he actually spoke.

We were married 9 months later:

So when you attend the Muni Band concerts in the parks this summer, be kind to the crew.

You never know what kind of return you'll get on your investment!

Complete Muni Band Schedule

Lean Muni Band Season

First the good news:

The Long Beach Municipal Band's 100th Year Summer Concert Season has been announced.

Now the bad news:

The season has been trimmed from 8 weeks to 7 weeks.

We're doing our part and cutting back along with every other department in the City of Long Beach.

The season may be shorter, but it will certainly be sweet.

Please join us in the parks of Long Beach beginning Tuesday, June 30, 2009.

Click here for the official schedule.

See you there!

Almost Back

I'm almost back.

Really.

Meanwhile, check out pictures of the Long Beach Municipal Band Centennial Gala here.

4, 3, 2, 1...

It's hard to believe that the Long Beach Municipal band is in Week 8 of its 8 week season.

If you've been meaning to catch a Muni Band concert, now is the time.

We are down to our last 4 events of the 99th Season.

We've had large crowds and excellent weather for the entire run.

Go ahead. DVR the Olympics and come join us in the park.

We're playing Stars and Stripes...

Those Swinging Years

Week Seven of the Long Beach Municipal Band's 99th Season is all about swing.

I know.

What's a flute player doing on a swing gig.

We're playing medleys of the greatest big bands ever to burn up a stage including:

"Caldonia" Woody Herman Band



"Four Brothers" Woody Herman Band



"Don't Be That Way" Harry James Band



"Sing Sing Sing" Benny Goodman Band featuring Gene Krupa and Harry James on trumpet:



This band is my all time, hands down favorite:

"In The Mood" Glenn Miller Band with Tex Beneke (check out the sweet choreography!)



We're in the parks of Long Beach all week.

Tomorrow: Los Cerritos Park
6:30pm
FREE

Muni Band Will Play On

Do you take the free Long Beach Municipal Band summer concert series for granted?

Did you know that it was in jeopardy?

Some of you remember when the 8 week, 5 concert a week schedule was trimmed to 8 weeks, 4 concerts a week.

40-8=32.

Some of you remember the 2 years when the 8 week, 4 concert a week schedule was trimmed to 6 weeks, 4 concerts a week.

32-8=24

A few years ago those 2 weeks were restored.

24+8=32

According to this article in the Long Beach Press Telegram, the band will be back for year 100 despite a reduction in its funding:

Band will play on
By John Canalis, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 07/30/2008 10:54:29 PM PDT


LONG BEACH - The Long Beach Municipal Band should make it to 100.

The nation's oldest municipally funded band, now in its 99th year, survived the city's suggested budget cuts, officials said Wednesday.

"There is a proposed and small reduction consistent with a lot of the reductions in the rest of the city," said Phil Hester, director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine.

The band's $550,000 budget is facing about a 10 percent cut, or $5,500, Hester said.

"We're going to be starting on some of the celebrations for them," Hester said of the band's forthcoming centennial.

Along with "Snow Days" in city parks and the Police Athletic League, the band's coda is a perennial rumor around budget time. This year was no exception.

But supporters view the band as a cultural institution and have worked fervently over the years to preserve its funding, albeit in an abridged fashion. The band could also make up the shortfall with donations. The El Dorado Park Women's Association and other groups help raise money for the band.

In its prime, the band played large concerts at the vaunted Municipal Auditorium, which closed in 1975, and on the beach.

Now the band, led by conductor Larry Curtis, is best known for a summer series at Marine Stadium, the Aquarium of the Pacific and Bixby, El Dorado, Los Cerritos, Whaley and other parks.

The free event, now under the Sea Festival umbrella, draws large

crowds, who roll out blankets and picnic baskets well before showtime.
Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske said she was told by the City Manager's Office as recently as three weeks ago that cuts of some kind were being considered for the band, but she did not know the percentage.

"We haven't seen the budget yet, so I don't want to be alarmist," Schipske said, "but that was put out there as one of the hypothetical-horrible, worst-case scenarios."

The budget, which was formulated by City Manager Pat West and Mayor Bob Foster, can be adjusted by the City Council, which has the final say.

There is likely to be some back-and-forth over the spending plan. The city must close a $16 million to $17 million budget gap.

Schipske said she would oppose any reductions to the "Muni Band."

"This is not the year to make reductions in the band," she said. "People are expecting a celebration."

No doubt supporters will be out at the next two performances, 6:30 tonight at Marine Stadium, and 6:30 p.m. Friday at El Dorado Park. For other upcoming performances, go to http://www.longbeach.gov/park/recreation/cultural_programs/lb_municipal_band.asp.

I am grateful to those who feel that the Long Beach Municipal Band is worth preserving.

I love my job!

Two-Voiced Tony

Week 6 of the Long Beach Municipal Band summer concert season opened in Bluff Park yesterday.

We've been blessed with mild weather on the coast. Last summer we froze as a brisk wind swirled around the band stand, rustling the sheet music and snatching flute notes from our very lips.

Tony Galla is back with us for another week.

What a magnificent performer the man is!

This week he's singing one of my all time favorite selections, inspired by this YouTube video of James Brown and Pavarotti:



Here's the beauty of Tony's rendition:

HE SINGS BOTH PARTS!!!

Come see this for yourself tonight at Los Cerritos Park.

6:30.

Free.

A Changing View

As I patiently waited for the concert to begin at Marine Stadium this evening, I realized that I had been sitting in a different chair there each week for the last 3 weeks.

3 weeks ago I was in the piccolo chair while Eileen worked somewhere else.

Last week I was in my normal "Flute 2" chair.

Tonight I was "Flute 1", filling in for Patti:

That can be confusing for my fan base.

Wait.

As the sound engineer, my husband always knows where I'm sitting.

Anyway, I've had a ton of solos to play this week. Who knew Cowboy music could be so flute friendly! I had a blast tonight because I can actually play all the music. That's always a plus!

One of the features unique to Marine Stadium are the "boat people." They pull right up next to the stage and enjoy the concert from the comfort of their sea going vessels:

They are also very generous with their donations to the band.

Next week for the first time in the 23 years that I've been playing with the band they will not be permitted to assume their usual positions in the water next to the band stand.

Marine Stadium will be closed.

We on the band stand were wondering about the stadium closure.

Did it need an acid wash?

Was it leaking?

Was the drain clogged?

Actually, the stadium will be closed while the course is being laid out for the Dragon Boat races the next day.

So while they could, the boat people were able to enjoy the band and the enchanting Carol Welsman:

The party continues at El Dorado Park tomorrow evening at 6:30pm.

It's your last chance to Yipee-Ki-Ya!

Roping Up Notes

The Long Beach Municipal Band's Cowboy concert this week has a LOT of notes in it.

A lot.

On a typical concert day I'm out in the audience greeting people (well, mooching, sort of - it's amazing what a hungry looking band member in an enormous shirt can score from the tender hearted and well stocked members of the audience). Today I just crept onto the band stand and tried to focus.

I'm not trying to be uppity.

I just need to play me a lot of notes.

A lot.

The pay-off is huge, however.

The last piece on the concert band program is "The William Tell Overture"...better know as the Theme to the Lone Ranger.

It is SO FUN to watch the crowd suddenly light up and cheer as the trumpets play the opening fanfare.

Tonight all 2,300 of them got on their horses and RODE!

It makes those notes all worthwhile.

Every last one of them!

Bluff Park Season Debut

The Muni Band wagon train rolled into Bluff Park today for the first time this season.

Playing right next to the water has its issues, but on the whole the weather was warm with only occasional gusts of wind to play havoc with the music on our stands.

Sensational singer Carol Welsman joins us this week.

You won't want to miss your chance this week to get your cowboy on.

Tomorrow: Los Cerritos Park, 6:30pm. FREE!!!

Yipee-Ki-Ya!

This week is Cowboy week in Muni Band land.

The music is really, really good.

For example:



And how about:



This is a wonderful John Williams piece:



It wouldn't be Cowboy Week without this:



Join us in the parks of Long Beach as we bring you all this and more FOR FREE!!!

Concerts begin at 6:30pm

Yipee-Ki-Ya!

A Frank Concert View

My view was frankly different today.

The Long Beach Municipal Band had a rare Sunday concert to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Aquarium of the Pacific.

How cool is it to get paid to play here:

The icing on the cake was the appearance of the insanely famous beFrank and Action Wife Dellis in the audience.

beFrank, as you know if you've read this blog for any time at all, is my blogging inspiration and hero. He has another blogging hero of mine, Lenslinger, gushing over him like a girl with her first crush. He's that good.

beFrank wasted no time in getting out the Blackberry to blog the event.

Bob came over to say hi to the Franks during the change-over break between the concert band and jazz band sets. He and Dellis were convinced that they had met before, but in reality their only meeting was via the blogsphere.

I love the blogsphere!

Dellis, Bryan, and I enjoyed the jazz portion of the concert while Bob continued to run sound. It was a beautiful evening, perfect to share with friends.

To Bryan and Dellis, thank you for taking the time to hang with the band.


(photo by beFrank)

To the rest of you, follow a frankly good example and come on out to the parks of Long Beach for a FREE Municipal Band concert. You've got 5 weeks left.

Next week: Cowboys!