A Message from Music Director Dr. German Gonzalez

This is it, the time is near to kick off the 2025 season of the GOLDEN GATE PARK BAND. The 30 professional musicians of the Golden Gate Park Band are excited to welcome you and your family to this season!

I send a special welcome to those of you who are just getting to know us, and a big thank you to all of you who are returning to see what’s in store in 2025! We are excited to roll out 25 unique concerts at the scenic and historic Spreckels Temple of Music in the Music Concourse of Golden Gate Park, which was built to support the Golden Gate Park Band and performing arts in San Francisco 125 years ago at the dawn of the 20th Century. Founded in 1882, we are San Francisco’s oldest musical organization. As always, all concerts are presented free of charge.

This year we’ll start with a preseason Big Band concert at a special Friday afternoon Happy Hour concert on Friday, April 18, from 4:30 to 7:00 pm. Our official season begins on Sunday, April 27. This will be the first of 24 unique concerts, starting with “SOUL OF THE CITY” SINCE 1882: An Overture for Season #143” in which we will feature our awesome tubist, Bin Love with narrator, Kathy Holly in the classic musical story of Tubby the Tuba. Be ready for a sing-along with Kathy on this opening day!

Many concerts will feature the best of park friendly music selections that have endured the test of time and will surely put a smile on your face. Among the selections will be a variety of marches, the classics (think Saturday morning cartoon music), band favorites, music from movies, Broadway shows, special in-house soloist features, sing alongs, and fun audience participation games like “name that tune”!

A special treat will be our rendition of Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” with special guest, Maggie Clennon Reberg, weekday morning KDFC classical radio host as our narrator on the August 10 program. As in years past, we will collaborate with different cultural groups with programs featuring the music and dance of Polish, Armenian, Scottish, Ukrainian, Hungarian, Mexican, Irish, and Spanish groups interspersed throughout the summer months. We will also have special concert events celebrating Mother’s Day, Community Bands, Pride, Juneteenth, First Responders, 4th of July and Labor Day.

This year we will have GGPBAND T-shirts for sale at select concerts, a contest or 2 to guest conduct the band, and special appearances by Bubba, our mascot on stage. He will be decked out wearing his GGPB sweater and you’ll have photo opportunities with him before and after his concert appearances.

We are excited to present our 143rd season to San Franciscans and visitors alike from April 18-September 28, 2025. Concerts are at the bandshell between the De Young Museum and the Academy of Sciences in beautiful Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Parking is free at the park but it’s a busy place on Sundays. You might consider public transit when you visit. The 44 bus, 7 bus and the N train are among excellent travel options. The Music Concourse is wheel chair accessible via the ramp in front of the California Academy of Science or from the paid parking garage. Bring a blanket and a picnic to share with friends and family or purchase a meal from one of several food trucks parked behind the bandshell.

Come to several concerts a year. Each one is different program. Be a part of the San Francisco tradition and enjoy a park concert with the Golden Gate Park Band, the “soul of the city!”

Thank you for your continued support of the Golden Gate Park Band.
Musically yours,
Dr. German Gonzalez
Music Director, Golden Gate Park Band (the soul of the city)