Holding the record for Texas's longest-continuously performing municipal band, the City of Paris Municipal Band plays a concert season each summer. For over 100 years, the sounds of brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments entertained residents and visitors of Paris. The concerts are held in Bywater Park for six Friday evenings during June and July. The historic peristyle provides the stage while attendees sit in lawn chairs or on blankets, enjoying the music under the shade of abundant trees. Concerts may relocate to the Love Civic Center Pavilion if inclement weather threatens to mute the music.

Joe Watson directs the band, comprised of players of all ages, high school and up, including some octogenarians. Through times of war and a pandemic, the band has continued to provide a variety of pieces for all who attend. Each concert begins with "The Star Spangled Banner" and concludes with a signature composition of "I Love Paris." In between, you may hear marches, hymns, favorites from musicals, and contemporary and classical selections and medleys.

The band typically rehearses two nights each week before a Friday concert. Band members do not have to be Paris residents and receive pay for each concert performance. Anyone with high school or higher band experience who is interested in joining the band should email the director.

About the Director

Joe Watson started playing trumpet in the band in 1978 and has also played French horn, percussion, and saxophone. Watson has been directing the Paris Municipal Band since 2012. Watson earned a Music Education degree from East Texas State University, now Texas A&M-Commerce, and was a public school band director for 25 years and spent 14 years as a technology instructor before retiring in 2021.