Pull Up A Chair
Our Story and How It All Started
The Coronado Community Band was founded in 1996 and manages two musical groups: The Coronado Concert Band (1997), and the Coronado Big Band. The bands are funded by a grant from the City of Coronado, and supported with smaller grants and contributions from civic organizations and individuals.
Every year the Coronado Concert Band, directed by Fred Lee, plays for the Coronado Flower Show, the opening of the summer Promenade Concerts in the Park, the 4th of July Concert in the Park, a Twilight Concert in Balboa Park and the Holiday Concert following the annual tree lighting ceremony. In addition to these regular performances, the band has played for OzFest, the Special Olympics Torch Ceremony, Library Anniversary and many other civic events. In cooperation the the Coronado High School band, concert band members have assisted in some of their concerts as well. The is band is always open to new opportunities to support events in Coronado.
The Coronado Big Band ( coronadobigband.com ) is a standard 17 piece band which plays familiar music from the swing era as well as modern jazz arrangements. This band plays for the Coronado Flower Show and provides free concerts at the Coronado Ferry Landing as well as special occasions like Coronado OzFest, weddings, and birthday celebrations. The Big Band also occasionally plays for the Twilight Concert in Balboa Park and the Coronado Promenade Concert series.
The band continually adds to its extensive library with the intention of entertaining audiences with familiar music as well as the latest arrangements of popular tunes. Rehearsals are every Thursday evening from 7-9 PM at the Coronado High School band room on 6th and D Avenue, behind the auditorium on the second floor.
The Concert Band welcomes musicians of all ages and skill levels. The more experienced musicians mentor the less experienced ones. Playing with the band provides an opportunity to learn to play with other musicians, continuing to play music after finishing high school or college, meet other musicians, and have the pleasure of performing music for the community. Please, come join the band!
1990-1999
July 4, 1994 – 1996
Members of the Die Hard 20 Year Reunion Band (whose members became the Coronado Concert Band in 1996) marched together in Coronado’s annual 4th of July Parade each year 1994-1996.
July 1996
After the 4th of July Parade this year, Phil Imming, Mel Lions, and Joe Campbell formed the Coronado Community Band with Dirk Koman as the first Music Director.
June 1997
Inaugural concert of the newly formed Coronado Concert Band took place at the gazebo in Spreckels Park in Coronado.
December 18, 1997
Performed a concert in the Coronado High School auditorium.
December 1997
City of Coronado pays CCB to represent Coronado in the annual Holiday Bowl Parade.
August 1998
Frederick Lee replaces Dirk Koman as Music Director of CCB.
October 1999
CCB performs in a concert in the auditorium of the recently dedicated Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA). Coronado Big Band and CoSA musicians also performed.
December 1999
Last year CCB marches in Coronado’s annual 4th of July Parade.
2000-2009
April 22, 2001
CCB gives their first performance in the Coronado Flower Show, sponsored by the Coronado Floral Association.
December 2002
CCB performs a special Holiday concert in the center courtyard at the Hotel Del for the hotel’s tree lighting ceremony prior to Christmas.
August 19, 2003
First concert off Coronado Island was by invitation to the Twilight in the Park concert series at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park.
June 27, 2005
CCB and Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) perform together in a charity concert at The Lambs Players Theater, proceeds going to the Coronado School of the Arts.
July 2005
CCB performs for the Opening Ceremony of the Coronado Community Center overlooking Glorietta Bay in the Coronado Civic Center complex at 1845 Strand Way.
August 2005
Kathleen Hansen is selected to be Assistant Conductor for CCB.
December 2005
CCB performs their first concert after Coronado’s Annual Holiday Parade.
January 2006
Weekly CCB Practice takes place at Coronado Middle School while Coronado High School undergoes a $53 million renovation project.
March 2006
Rotary Club of Coronado donates to CCB a Bass Drum.
June 2006
Performs a summer concert on the green at the Coronado Cays.
July 4, 2008
CCB gives their first Annual 4th of July patriotic concert at the gazebo in Spreckels Park, Coronado.
May 19, 2008
Introduction of first piccolo player as CCB performed a joint concert with the Coronado High School Band in the school’s auditorium.
August 2008
Kathleen Hansen ends her tenure as Assistant Conductor for CCB.
2009
CCB performs at the Coronado Public Library’s 100th anniversary celebration.
2010-present
2010-14
The Coronado Concert Band worked closely with the Coronado High School Band and Band Boosters during its first years. In 2010, Coronado Community Bands, Inc. was established as a 501(c)(3) corporation and manages two musical groups: The Coronado Concert Band (CCB), and the Coronado Big Band (CBB). Both Bands are funded with grant money from the City of Coronado and supported with smaller grants and contributions from civic organizations and individuals.
2015
CCB performs for a Coronado Public Library event celebrating the 150th anniversary of the City of Coronado.
2015
CCB performs for the Special Olympics Torch Run in Coronado sponsored by International Law Enforcement.