Summer music fix

When Delores Marshall Haber takes the stage for this summer’s municipal concert series, she and her bandmates will bring a lifetime of experience.

Haber, who started playing trumpet at the age of 6, did her part to break the gender barrier at her high school in Aberdeen, Wash., where she wielded brass for the school’s concert band, and then for the University of Washington’s marching band.

In the early 1950s, Haber and her trumpet traveled the country with a 25-piece ensemble in a radio and stage show called Music With the Hormel Girls. She then performed with the USO in Far East and European commands as a trumpet soloist and band member, and later became a music teacher.

Now retired, Haber, a Huntington Beach resident, performs all year long with the Huntington Beach Concert Band’s summer concert series and the Golden West Pops. The concert band kicks off its 33rd annual free summer series Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Huntington Beach Central Library.

Alongside Haber will be Lloyd Glick, 83, a founding concert band member and also the official bugler for the Los Angeles Police Department.

Thomas Ridley will lead the 70-piece ensemble through its June 25 program. Band director for 30 years, Ridley took over for founding member John Mason in ’77 when he left the band.

New to the concert series is the John Daniels’ Orange County Wind Ensemble and the Mike Henebry Orchestra that will perform big band music.

This year’s lineup has something for everybody, said Ridley, including special guest voice soloist Beth Hanson. Featuring amateur musicians from Orange County, the concert series provides Americana, big band, jazz, latin, swing and a multitude of music under the stars.

“Through the generosity of the public,” the concert band is able to provide 10 free concerts this year, said Linda Couey, its general manager. Couey said she hopes to generate more fans (above the 1,200 to 1,500 that typically attend) and build awareness about the series, which she called the “best-kept secret” in Huntington Beach.

“We have real esprit de corps” said Haber about the band members. A seven-year veteran of the lineup, Haber said she applauds the director and the members for being consistent and loyal.

Although there are no solo performances scheduled for Haber this season (“I didn’t keep my lip up,” Haber said), she still plays taps for Memorial Day ceremony at the pier.

The all-volunteer band will perform in three of the 10 concerts scheduled in the summer series and will also perform Dec. 16 at the Rose Theater in Westminster.

*********** **Concert highlights:June 24 & July 29 - HB Concert Band (Americana, traditional and patriotic favorites, etc.)

July 1 - Moonlight Express (standard and classic big band swing)

July 8 - Henebry’s 1920’s Crazy Rhythm Hot Society Orchestra (sounds of the golden age of radio with flapper vocalist Ginger Pauley)

July 15 - Golden State British Brass (musical journey to Great Britain)

July 22 - LA Police Swing Band (jazz standards)

Aug. 5 - OC Wind Ensemble (wind band w/marches, folk favorites and selections by American composers

Aug. 12 - Tom Kubis & the Golden West Jazz Orchestra (contemporary jazz)

Aug. 19 - Bob Desena’s Latin Jazz Ensemble (Latin jazz & fiery rhythms)

Aug. 26 - Mike Henebry Orchestra (music of the big bands of the swing era)

Call (714) 891-6856, or go to www.hbconcertband.org.