The Laguna Concert Band and Laguna Beach Elementary Music Program combined on June 6, 2016 to perform a joint music performance of Star Wars as the Grande Finale as part of the schools end-of-the-year concert performance.
The "Star Wars Medley" was arranged by James H. Burden, with special arrangements for the elementary school students by Laguna Concert Band board member, Jennifer Baker. The concert was held at the Thurston Middle School gymnasium, 2100 Park Avenue, Laguna Beach.
In the summer of 2014 the Laguna Concert Band expanded its Board of Directors to include a Director of Educational Outreach, specifically to promote collaboration with the local school music community.
Over the past two years, the Concert Band has focused on special events with LBUSD resulting in a December 2014 joint performance with the Thurston Middle School Band at Laguna’s Holiday Hospitality Night and a February 2015 performance with LBHS instrumentalists (wind ensemble and jazz) alongside the Laguna Concert Band—Lee Rocker program at the Laguna Playhouse.
The Laguna Concert Band also recognizes and awards yearly scholarships to senior graduates of the LBHS Instrumental Music
Program.
This summer, the Concert Band will have open enrollment to students of all ages in a first-ever community summer program, culminating in special performances in August. For more information about our ensemble, you can email: LagunaConcertBand@gmail.com.
Learn more on our Summer Music Program page.
See the Facebook Event
The "Star Wars Medley" was arranged by James H. Burden, with special arrangements for the elementary school students by Laguna Concert Band board member, Jennifer Baker. The concert was held at the Thurston Middle School gymnasium, 2100 Park Avenue, Laguna Beach.
In the summer of 2014 the Laguna Concert Band expanded its Board of Directors to include a Director of Educational Outreach, specifically to promote collaboration with the local school music community.
Over the past two years, the Concert Band has focused on special events with LBUSD resulting in a December 2014 joint performance with the Thurston Middle School Band at Laguna’s Holiday Hospitality Night and a February 2015 performance with LBHS instrumentalists (wind ensemble and jazz) alongside the Laguna Concert Band—Lee Rocker program at the Laguna Playhouse.
The Laguna Concert Band also recognizes and awards yearly scholarships to senior graduates of the LBHS Instrumental Music
Program.
This summer, the Concert Band will have open enrollment to students of all ages in a first-ever community summer program, culminating in special performances in August. For more information about our ensemble, you can email: LagunaConcertBand@gmail.com.
Learn more on our Summer Music Program page.
See the Facebook Event
Music In Schools Program
In the summer of 2014 the Laguna Concert Band expanded its Board of Directors to include a Director of Educational Outreach, specifically reaching out to the LBUSD instrumental music community. Over the past two years, the Laguna Concert Band has focused on collaborations with Laguna Beach Unified School District resulting in the following collaborations:
At the end of this two year cycle, the Laguna Concert Band has had an opportunity to interact with nearly every instrumental music student in the Laguna Beach Unified School District
In our continuing effort to enhance the musical growth of the Laguna Beach youth and to foster an encouraging and nurturing environment in which to grow - The Laguna Concert Band’s goal in this collaboration is to further develop a partnership with the LBUSD in concordance with Goal No. 4 of the Laguna Beach Unified School District Arts Education Year 1 Implementation Plan – which entails collaboration in Community Partnerships to partner with and utilize community resources in order to enhance the Laguna Beach arts education programs; Identify and Document current programs with community organizations and Recognize Partnerships publically.
Benefits:
Proceeds from our 1st Annual Fundraiser and Benefit featuring Max Bennett on October 2 at Seven-Degrees in Laguna Beach will further support the Laguna Concert Band’s efforts to bring music programs into local schools in Orange County through specialized music clinics, summer programs, yearly scholarships, instrument loans to deserving children and provide them with a positive musical learning experience.
Contact us for more information: lagunaconcertband@gmail.com.
- December of 2014 joint performance with Thurston Middle at Laguna’s Holiday Hospitality Night, which both groups traditionally attend. We performed 3 pieces together as the community welcomed Santa to town! The Laguna Concert Band provided cookies and hot cocoa to the kids, and purchased music stand lights as a gift to the students, which were presented with bright red bows on their music stands as they arrived that evening.
- February of 2015, Laguna Beach HS instrumentalists (wind ensemble and jazz) were invited to perform along-side the Laguna Concert Band, Lee Rocker program at the Playhouse. Students had an up close opportunity to make music with this local Laguna rock legend in a high-quality venue
- And an ongoing recognition and award of scholarships to deserving senior graduates of LBHS
- Culminating this year in a musical collaboration with the elementary schools in a joint performance of Star Wars, see above.
At the end of this two year cycle, the Laguna Concert Band has had an opportunity to interact with nearly every instrumental music student in the Laguna Beach Unified School District
In our continuing effort to enhance the musical growth of the Laguna Beach youth and to foster an encouraging and nurturing environment in which to grow - The Laguna Concert Band’s goal in this collaboration is to further develop a partnership with the LBUSD in concordance with Goal No. 4 of the Laguna Beach Unified School District Arts Education Year 1 Implementation Plan – which entails collaboration in Community Partnerships to partner with and utilize community resources in order to enhance the Laguna Beach arts education programs; Identify and Document current programs with community organizations and Recognize Partnerships publically.
Benefits:
- Mentorship between adult members of LCB and younger “budding” musicians through educational classes-beginning Summer 2016
- Bring together youth and adults in a shared endeavor
- Build awareness that instrumental music can be pursued as a “hobby”, even though students might choose to major in another field
- Increase community awareness and involvement in/with Laguna Beach performing arts programs
- Encourage more families of school aged children to experience music with the Laguna Concert Band
- Inspire our school musicians to play with the group as they reached high school age
- Showcase Laguna Beach as a Performing Arts-Music destination for education, growth and development
Proceeds from our 1st Annual Fundraiser and Benefit featuring Max Bennett on October 2 at Seven-Degrees in Laguna Beach will further support the Laguna Concert Band’s efforts to bring music programs into local schools in Orange County through specialized music clinics, summer programs, yearly scholarships, instrument loans to deserving children and provide them with a positive musical learning experience.
Contact us for more information: lagunaconcertband@gmail.com.
Members of the Laguna Concert Band Board and Executive Committee with city councilman Steve Dicterow. (Courtesy of the Laguna Concert Band)
Laguna Concert Band Entertains — and Educates (Click on Title to read article online)
Kathleen Luppi Contact Reporter
Copyright © 2016, Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot
A flutist, a conductor and an arts activist walk into a cafe ...
This isn't the start of a joke. The three — flutist Theresa Marino, local conductor Bill Nicholls and Laguna Beach Arts Commission member Carol Reynolds — did gather at their favorite spot for a cup of coffee, friendship and a break from their career demands, but talk soon turned serious.
One made a comment about forming a group that would entertain audiences while supporting music education in conjunction with other artistic organizations.
Eighteen years later, that group — the Laguna Concert Band — has done just that and then some.
The volunteer nonprofit, which started with eight members, has grown to over 70 performers ranging from professional musicians and music instructors to ensemble players hailing from Laguna Beach and surrounding communities.
Kathleen Luppi Contact Reporter
Copyright © 2016, Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot
A flutist, a conductor and an arts activist walk into a cafe ...
This isn't the start of a joke. The three — flutist Theresa Marino, local conductor Bill Nicholls and Laguna Beach Arts Commission member Carol Reynolds — did gather at their favorite spot for a cup of coffee, friendship and a break from their career demands, but talk soon turned serious.
One made a comment about forming a group that would entertain audiences while supporting music education in conjunction with other artistic organizations.
Eighteen years later, that group — the Laguna Concert Band — has done just that and then some.
The volunteer nonprofit, which started with eight members, has grown to over 70 performers ranging from professional musicians and music instructors to ensemble players hailing from Laguna Beach and surrounding communities.
Peter Asher, formerly of Peter and Gordon fame, reherses with the Laguna Concert Band in this file photo.
(Don Leach / Coastline Pilot)
They've played with celebrated guest artists Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats, Grammy Award-winning producer Peter Asher (of Peter and Gordon fame) and principal tubist Gene Pokorny.
They've performed on local film soundtracks and recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood.
And they teach student musicians, whether through the band's summer school music program or at the Irvine Valley College Emeritus Institute, a collaboration coordinated by the band's associate conductor, Peter Fournier.
"If you want to play, we want to have you," said Craig Gordon, Laguna Concert Band president and executive director. "There's a place for everyone."
The group members, led by music director Ed Peterson, range in age from 20 to 88 years. Within the main group are subsets, including two, full 18-piece swing bands, flute and woodwind ensembles, a brass quintet and a Dixieland band.
Their next concert, at the Festival of Arts on Aug. 17, will showcase the group's 60-piece wind ensemble.
The group performs more than 20 concerts a year, including at the Sawdust Festival and Art-A-Fair.
But an important mission for the band is educational outreach.
For the past two years, the Laguna Concert Band has been involved with the Laguna Beach Unified School District, presenting joint performances with Thurston Middle School's band during the city's Holiday Hospitality Night and a concert with Laguna Beach High School instrumentalists at the Laguna Playhouse.
Recently, the band joined music students from El Morro and Top of the World elementary schools for a performance of "Star Wars" and other music.
Laguna Concert Band board member Jennifer Baker joined the group with her husband and daughter about five years ago. Baker works to connect the band to schools.
"Music is a great mind activity and especially wonderful for children to learn at a young age, because it gives them something to do and makes them smarter," Baker said.
With grants and donations, the band's community efforts have grown over the years, attracting local talent and more opportunities for children to learn and practice an instrument.
Supporting music education, fostering new talent and sharing it with the community will always be the mission of the band, Gordon and Baker said, because music has power to express the language of the mind and the heart.
"You pick up an instrument and it should be an ongoing learning process," Baker said. "Music is for life."
--
What: Laguna Concert Band Festival of Arts Concert
When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17
Where: Festival of Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach
Information: (800) 487-3378 or visit lagunaconcertband.com
Copyright © 2016, Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot
Laguna Concert Band entertains — and educates
Members of the Laguna Concert Band Board and Executive Committee with city councilman Steve Dicterow. (Courtesy of the Laguna Concert Band)
They've performed on local film soundtracks and recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood.
And they teach student musicians, whether through the band's summer school music program or at the Irvine Valley College Emeritus Institute, a collaboration coordinated by the band's associate conductor, Peter Fournier.
"If you want to play, we want to have you," said Craig Gordon, Laguna Concert Band president and executive director. "There's a place for everyone."
The group members, led by music director Ed Peterson, range in age from 20 to 88 years. Within the main group are subsets, including two, full 18-piece swing bands, flute and woodwind ensembles, a brass quintet and a Dixieland band.
Their next concert, at the Festival of Arts on Aug. 17, will showcase the group's 60-piece wind ensemble.
The group performs more than 20 concerts a year, including at the Sawdust Festival and Art-A-Fair.
But an important mission for the band is educational outreach.
For the past two years, the Laguna Concert Band has been involved with the Laguna Beach Unified School District, presenting joint performances with Thurston Middle School's band during the city's Holiday Hospitality Night and a concert with Laguna Beach High School instrumentalists at the Laguna Playhouse.
Recently, the band joined music students from El Morro and Top of the World elementary schools for a performance of "Star Wars" and other music.
Laguna Concert Band board member Jennifer Baker joined the group with her husband and daughter about five years ago. Baker works to connect the band to schools.
"Music is a great mind activity and especially wonderful for children to learn at a young age, because it gives them something to do and makes them smarter," Baker said.
With grants and donations, the band's community efforts have grown over the years, attracting local talent and more opportunities for children to learn and practice an instrument.
Supporting music education, fostering new talent and sharing it with the community will always be the mission of the band, Gordon and Baker said, because music has power to express the language of the mind and the heart.
"You pick up an instrument and it should be an ongoing learning process," Baker said. "Music is for life."
--
What: Laguna Concert Band Festival of Arts Concert
When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17
Where: Festival of Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach
Information: (800) 487-3378 or visit lagunaconcertband.com
Copyright © 2016, Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot
Laguna Concert Band entertains — and educates
Members of the Laguna Concert Band Board and Executive Committee with city councilman Steve Dicterow. (Courtesy of the Laguna Concert Band)