A Magical Night in the Park With the Long Beach Municipal Band

Every summer the Long Beach Municipal Band performs for six weeks in different parks throughout the city of Long Beach. Under the direction of Kurt Curtis, the band performs multiple genres in its summertime celebration of music.

On July 29, 2022, the band performed at El Dorado Park in Long Beach. The performance this night celebrated the music from movies and was called Cinema Classics. The first half of the concert used the whole band and then the second half was a smaller jazz band that was made up of members of the band. They were joined by crooner Mark Kopitzke (also often seen singing with Phat Cat Swinger).

The performances were solid and beautiful and included many favorite themes from many different movies through the years. People enjoyed the concert with picnic blankets, folding chairs, picnics, beverages, and more with their friends and family. The combination of excellent music, excellent company, and a wonderful location made for a magical night.

The Cinema Classics concert included the following pieces:

First Half

The Wizard of Oz
The Cowboys
Beauty and the Beast
Pirates of the Caribbean

Second Half

Jurassic Park Samba
Blues for Stone’s Tones
It Had to Be You
Spider-Man
Bare Necessities
Zing with the Strings of my Heart
My Kind of Town

The Long Beach Municipal Band is directed by Kurt Curtis. This year the band is celebrating its 113th season. The summer season ran from June 28 through August 5, 2022. Each week’s concert had a different theme. Each concert is offered free.

About Conductor Kurt Curtis

Kurt Curtis has been a member of the Minicipal Band for over 25 years in the trumpet section before becoming the conductor. He performed as both a soloist and guest conductor before become the band’s conductor. He also worked at Disneyland for nearly four decades where he was a musician, performer, and conductor. Until retiring earlier this summer, he was the conductor of the Disneyland Band, leader of the Fanfare Trumpets and Pearly Band. He also served as the Master of Ceremonies for multiple park events. When not at Disneyland or with the Long Beach Municipal Band, Curtis has performed with orchestras throughout Southern California. This includes Broadway shows at the Ahmanson Theater. He has been a recording musician in Hollywood on multiple movie soundtracks, television shows, and cartoons. He also has toured throughout the United States and Japan through the years.

Below are some of the songs that were performed during the concert on July 29, 2021 at El Dorado Park. More details about the band and its performances can be found here.