Generations of musicians, sunshine, and Sousa fill City Park with music every Sunday in June and July.

There’s something magical about a summer afternoon in Clear Lake—kids twirling on the grass, families lounging in lawn chairs, and the familiar strains of a Sousa march drifting from the City Park bandshell. For more than a century, the Clear Lake Municipal Band has been the soundtrack to our summer Sundays, bringing neighbors and visitors together with the joy of live music.

Each week, the band performs a mix of patriotic anthems, show tunes, jazz standards, and concert band favorites—offering something for all ages. Many concertgoers stop by downtown shops to grab a treat before heading to the park to settle in for the show.

“It’s all people who want to be there, want to play together, and enjoy creating good music,” said Director Holly Prier-Lloyd. “One of my favorite parts is seeing families enjoy the concerts—especially the kids running around playing while the music plays. These concerts aren’t meant to be sit-down, formal events—they’re meant to be for everyone, and I love that.”

A Community Stage, Generations in Harmony

The Clear Lake Municipal Band is as diverse as the town it serves. On any given Sunday, around 40 musicians take the stage, ranging from teenagers to players with over 60 seasons under their belts.

  • The roster includes retirees, working professionals, music educators, professional musicians, and students—many of them Clear Lake High School alumni.

  • The band includes 14 current high school students, 14 college students, and musicians from neighboring schools like Newman Catholic and Clear Lake Classical.

  • Even summer residents occasionally join in, with at least one returning seasonal musician playing again this year.

Prier-Lloyd shared, “I love seeing my CLHS students seated next to seasoned adults who enjoy mentoring them. It’s a reflection of our community—multi-generational, collaborative, and welcoming.”

A Tradition Built on Music

Band concerts in City Park date back to 1877, when they were held in a small wooden rotunda. The current gazebo, built in 1919, became a focal point for musical gatherings—including up to 14 concerts a week conducted by Clear Lake’s original “Music Man,” John Kopecky. A champion of young musicians, Kopecky even taught flute and piccolo to a young Meredith Willson, the future creator of The Music Man.

Kopecky also founded the Clear Lake Drum & Bugle Corps and launched the North Iowa Band Festival, first held in Clear Lake in 1932 before moving to Mason City five years later.

By the early 1950s, the gazebo could no longer accommodate the growing municipal band. Ludvig Wangberg, the band’s longtime director, led the charge to build a new bandshell, designed to resemble a sail and dedicated on June 19, 1955. Wangberg would go on to lead the band for 55 years. In 2001, the bandshell was renamed in his honor.

In 2024, the Wangberg Bandshell underwent a major renovation, restoring its structure while preserving the iconic sail-inspired design. It remains the heart of City Park’s musical tradition. Read more about the renovation.

Explore more of Clear Lake’s history on the Clear Lake History Ride.

Make Music Part of Your Sunday

Whether you’re a lifelong band lover or just looking for a relaxing way to spend your Sunday afternoon, you’re invited to join the tradition.

Clear Lake Municipal Band Concerts
Sundays at 4:00 p.m. in June & July*
*Special performance on July 4th before the fireworks
*Special time July 20 for Chicken BBQ: 1:00 p.m.
Ludvig Wangberg Bandshell, City Park
Free and open to the public

Visit our events calendar for the weekly Clear Lake Municipal Band Program.