The Orcas Island Community Band. Photo courtesy of Gail Johannes.
By Karen Key Speck
We know the islands are chock-full of musicians. And to think that 1% of the Orcas population is in the Orcas Island Community Band is pretty impressive.
Averaging forty musicians strong each season, the Orcas Island Community Band is concluding its nineteenth year of music next month. The Band’s annual holiday concert is Saturday, December 5th at 7:30p.m. at Orcas Center. Admission by donation.
The December concert is a special gift from the musicians to all island neighbors and friends as the musicians have prepared songs of the season and other standard march favorites. In addition, after the concert, the Band offers a dessert and hors d’oeuvres party for the audience – free of charge. It is the Band’s gift to the island community in the spirit of the season.
The Madrona Room at Orcas Center exudes a happy, friendly holiday feel as band members and audience gather for refreshments after the concert. Under the direction of Joe Babcock, a familiar refrain is often heard. “You guys get better every year!”
The Band will begin its twentieth year in 2010. Striving for musical excellence with a large heaping of fun quotient, the Band’s musical versatility really shows when in concert on the Orcas Center stage. Come in out of the rain, wind or snow – grab an auditorium seat where it’s warm and comfy and enjoy a joyous musical concert free of charge. An annual favorite event is when the Band invites the audience to sing along to holiday carols at the end of the concert. Bring a friend and attend the show Saturday, December 5th at 7:30pm at Orcas Center. Admission by donation.
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