OUR STORY

In 1999, flutist Theresa Marino, conductor Dr. Bill Nicholls and Laguna Beach Arts Commission member and musician Carol Reynolds met with an idea and a cup of coffee at Zinc Café. A few hours later, the Laguna Community Concert Band was born.

Today, the band that began as an eight-member class at the Laguna Beach Recreation Department is a thriving non-profit boasting over 50 members. Dedicated to local performances, Laguna Community Concert Band musicians include educators, professional musicians and hobbyists from across Orange County. Despite their wide range of experiences and training, all the players share a love of music and a desire to share it with the public.

The band owes much of its success and rapid growth to support from the Laguna Beach community and to the significant contributions of the early members. Directed by Jennifer Baker, and led by a volunteer Board of Directors, the Laguna Community Concert Band now performs several concerts per year at local venues such as Festival of Arts, the Laguna Playhouse, Sawdust Festival, and the LBHS Artists Theatre. Popular traditions include outdoor concerts for the Patriots Day Parade, Hospitality Night, and Memorial Day at Main Beach.  

Band members have also created several smaller ensembles over the years, including a flute ensemble, a Dixieland band, a clarinet choir, a woodwind ensemble, a jazz quartet and a brass quintet. The most well-known of these groups is the affiliated 18-piece swing band, the Laguna JaZz Band. Led by Lynn Olinger, the Laguna JaZz Band is now a regular feature at community venues around Laguna Beach, including performing several times during the year at the Susi Q and featured on Main Beach for the annual Fête de la Musique.

To book the Laguna Community Concert Band, Laguna JaZz Band, or a special ensemble, please contact our Band Directors:

Laguna Community Concert Band
Jennifer Baker
(949) 290-1556
Jenniferm.baker@verizon.net

Laguna JaZz Band
Lynn Olinger
(949) 395-1427
musiked1video@gmail.com