Local musicians invite the community to a female composer-themed show, “Music, She Wrote,” at the next Sequim City Band concert, slated for 3 p.m. Sunday, March 12, at the Sequim High School auditorium, 533 N. Sequim Ave.

This free event features works by songwriters who attained many firsts, including pianist-composer Amy Beach — the first female composer to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra in 1896 and the first classical U.S. composer to achieve success without the benefit of European study. The band will perform her “Bal Masque.”

The band will also perform two pieces from Julie Giroux, a former child prodigy, three-time Emmy nominee and prodigious writer who composed music for video games before writing for film and television. The band will take on two of her pieces for wind ensemble: Symphony Number 1 “Culloden” and “Integrity Fanfare and March.”

Other female composers to be spotlighted were born in the mid-20th century and later, including Cait Nishimura — the only non-American composer on the program. “Chasing Sunlight,” written in 2017, was inspired by her experience of driving west into the setting sun, as if trying to keep up with the earth’s rotation to catch the last few rays of light before dusk.

Other pieces on the program are from composers Shelley Hanson, Jennifer Higdon, Anne McGinty and Haley Woodrow.

Masks for audience members are advised until the Clallam County Covid rates are in the “low” category as described by county health officials.

The band’s 2023 “Concerts at the James” Summer Series, to be held at The James Center for the Performing Arts at the north end of Carrie Blake Community Park (506 N. Blake Ave.), includes free concerts on May 7, June 11, July 4, Aug. 13 and Sept. 9.

Get more information about the Sequim City Band, including the status for its expanded rehearsal hall, on Facebook or at sequimcityband.org.