Marvin Marker, Director/Creator of LB's Junior Concert Band, Dies Suddenly; Marched On Sat. With His Bandmembers In Belmont Shore Christmas Parade (See LBReport.com Video)
(Dec. 7, 2009) -- LBReport.com is saddened to report the sudden death of Marvin Marker, Director of LB's Junior Concert Band.
Mr. Marker, in red blazer and baseball cap. LBReport.com video screen save
Mr. Marker created the Jr. Concert Band over a half century ago...and on Saturday Dec. 5, he marched alongside Bandmembers are they performed for tens of thousands of people in the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade.
LBReport.com captured the sights and sounds of what would be Mr. Marker's final performance. To view LBReport.com video of Mr. Marker and his band opening the parade, click here.
The LB Junior Concert Band was organized by Mr. Marker in 1952...and according to its website is the "Official Host Youth Band" for the City of Long Beach.
This award winning group is composed of dedicated individuals ages of 13 through 21 from Long Beach and surrounding communities. The band has three main sections, the wind musicians (brass and woodwinds), the syncopated drum section (percussion), and the Pageantry Corps (tall flags and dancers). LBJCB is a California Non-Profit Corporation and remains active through the efforts of band members, staff, and parents with monthly dues, fund raising activities and voluntary support. The band has made several TV and movie appearances over the years and has traveled extensively throughout the Western United States, Hawaii, and in 1997 went on an international tour of Japan. LBJCB performs throughout the year at several competitive and televised holiday parades, numerous local shows, and other civic events.
The LB Junior Concert Band's Creed -- established by Mr. Marker himself over a half-century ago -- is "Character Building Through Music." The Band's website says the Band "not only makes music, but helps guide its teen-age members on the straight road to adulthood by offering opportunities to learn about life through disipline, intensive practice, competitive encounters creativeness, show business, success and sometimes failure."
The website says Mr. Marker established this creed in 1952 and it "remains as the dominant factor in the plans and philosophy of the Long Beach Junior Concert Band."
Carrie Daquiado, LB Junior Concert Band Treasurer, says that in lieu of flowers, donations are requested to LB Junior Concert Band, 3221 Industry Dr., Signal Hill, CA 90755.
