Summertime, when the livin' is easy ... well, not all that easy!

Those long stretches of 90-plus-degree sultry weather, the ongoing barrage of political commercials and persistent phone calls, and weeks of hot-air speeches from fired-up party enthusiasts all add up to a very hot, tedious summer.

Thank goodness there was some welcome respite along the way: those weekly outdoor concerts from the Cape Municipal Band. Hundreds of music lovers turned out every Wednesday night, toting their lawn chairs or ground covers to hear Gershwin medleys, Sousa marches, rock ‘n’ roll favorites, Scott Joplin’s ragtime hits, familiar songs from Broadway musicals and even theme songs from “Star Trek” and James Bond movies.

Under the direction of Ron Nall, the local musicians never fail to please their audience. Men and women, young and old, arrive early to ensure a parking spot along Perry Avenue or Cherry Hill Circle. The opening concert in June proved particularly interesting, with announcer Neil Casey recognizing longtime band members, many with multiple decades of service.

Just watching Dr. Dan Cotner, 92 years old and a 76-year band veteran, walking across the park with his trombone case and taking his place in the band shell was well worth coming out on a warm, humid evening.

Looking back (way back), I recall hearing my first band concert played from the gazebo in Courthouse Park. My sister Kitty and I seldom missed a Muny Band program. The peppy traditional marches, along with the popular song hits of the 1940s, always met our expectation for good entertainment. Quite possibly, a very young Dan was on that round stage sliding that “‘bone.” I know one of my Central High School classmates, Alan Baker, performed in the drum section, and our mail carrier on the Pacific Street route played and doubled as a vocalist.

A bit more history: Cape’s Municipal Band is an offshoot of the old Schuchert Band that entertained local residents a hundred years ago. Through the efforts of Dr. C.E. Schuchert, Cape dentist and first director, the Cape band played its debut concert in the summer of 1927. Following his death a year later, a succession of talented and dedicated musicians served as directors.

When I heard the band as a teenager, Central High’s beloved music teacher, William Shivelbine, was conducting the weekly concerts. The band’s golden and diamond anniversary years were celebrated with outstanding programs featuring special commissioned arrangements by band members, specifically “The Golden Year” by Chuck Smith and “Diamond Heritage Overture” by Joe Pappas.

About midway in the band’s illustrious history, I was privileged to be a small part of one performance. On a summer evening in 1962, I stepped into the Capaha Band Shell with 47 other Cape Choraliers as guest performers. We sang “Holiday Montage,” the same selection we sang a month later as Missouri’s Singing Ambassadors at the World’s Fair in Seattle.

What a refreshing reality in our ever-expanding entertainment world that free band concerts in the park continue to bring folks together. Seeing the clusters of family and friends turn out each week with water bottles, chairs and blankets adds up to a pleasant summer pastime. It’s too late now to enjoy a musical night in the park (the concert season ends by August), but there’s always next summer as the band plays on.