Take off those earmuffs and let the warming sound of community music fill your body as the Sequim City Band strikes up fiery melodies this March.
Starting at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at the Sequim High School Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Sequim Ave., the Sequim City Band will begin its 17th year with its annual season-starting "Meet the Band" concert.
The all-volunteer band, comprised of players from high school students to 80-year-old veterans, will play patriotic tunes including "The Star Spangled Banner," the jazzy "Sax Serenade," and familiar movie themes such as "The Pink Panther."
The event is free, as are all city band concerts, but donations are gladly accepted.
Sequim City Band was started in 1992 by Chuck Swisher and has grown steadily.
Patsy Mattingley, president of the Sequim City Band board of directors, said that in 1997 – when she joined as a flute and piccolo player – about 25 people were in the band.
This year the band boasts 60-65 participants.
"We’ve got people of all ages," said Sanford Feibus, band director.
"We represent Sequim. It’s a unifying thing."
As a small-town community band, many of the members are related.
Kathy and Natalie Brown, a mother-daughter team of French horn players, joined the band three years ago.
"I never envisioned being given the chance to play the French horn with my daughter in a band like this," Kathy said.
When Natalie chose to play the French horn, Kathy never had told her daughter that’s what she played in high school.
"It’s really neat they have this group here for us," Natalie said.
"Sanford really stretches our abilities."
Collis Massey, a 12-year band member, has been in the band with his wife, Mary, since she joined five years ago.
"It’s a form of recreation and something we can share together," Collis said.
Two of the younger members – Janet Proebstel, clarinet, and David Proebstel, tenor saxophone – have been active since joining as founding members 17 years ago.
Family members can be active in a variety of ways. Bob Golightly, clarinet player in the band for 10 years, works with his wife, Gerri, who is the announcer for all of the concerts.
This is the first year the band has a full horn section.
"We’ve gotten much better," Mattingley said.
"If you haven’t seen us in the last four, five years then you are in for a treat."
Mattingley said the band always is looking for people who play double reed instruments, such as the oboe and bassoon. They also need people to fill in when regular members are unable to play.
The band rehearses from 7-9 p.m. Mondays in the Swisher Rehearsal Hall, 563 N. Rhoedefer Road, Sequim, just south of the outdoor performance stage in the Water Reuse Park.
Monthly concerts will begin at 3 p.m. May 17 at the James Center and continue at the same time every third Sunday into September.
More information on the
Sequim City Band can be found at www.sequimcityband.org.
Meet the Band
Who: Sequim City Band
What: Meet the Band concert
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 22
Where: Sequim High School Performing Arts Center
601 N. Sequim Ave., Sequim
Cost: Free, but donations accepted
Matthew Nash can be reached mnash@sequim
gazette.com.
