Strike Up the Band!

Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Orcas Center

—by Margie Doyle

The Orcas Island Community Band, 25 years and going strong!

“We are the longest running musical group in the San Juan Islands!” says Karen Key Speck of the Orcas Island Community Band, as she describes the fun of playing in the band’s concert this Saturday, June 6 , celebrating its 25th anniversary.

This concert will feature a slide show put together by band member Angie Boucher, clarinetist,  and will revisit the band members, performances and concerts that have made their mark on the Orcas musical scene. Speck says that concerts such as this Saturday’s present the opportunity for the public to see the band at their performance and professional best, when they apply themselves to their mission of “serious fun.”

Back in the olden days, before the Community Band, Gary Bennett, former Orcas Fire Chief, just couldn’t countenance 4th of July celebrations without a John Philip Sousa march. So he gathered together a few guys  once or twice a year to play in the Olga Daze and Eastsound Parades.. That group formed the nucleus of the Community Band that began rehearsing more regularly.

Russ Harvey was in that early group and when it was structured into the Orcas Island Community Band in 1990, he signed on and has been playing every since. With his family, Russ moved to Orcas when he was 5, and played trumpet since the third grade at Nellie S. Milton Elementary. ” Oh I really enjoy band — the more challenging pieces in some case, but I like whatever it is we’re working on during the season. It’s my release, it’s a lot of fun.

“It’s neat to know my music career began right here on Orcas Island in the Orcas public school system.  Here’s to another 25 years! ” said Harvey. His daughter and sons have been in the band at times, but  nowadays you’ll spot Russ in between 14-year old Ewan Lister and ageless Sam Windsor in the horn section.

In recent years, the Community Band has seen the addition of three students: Leah and Tim Jenson as well as Lister. They’re a real delight,” says Speck, “serious about their music and wonderfully supported by their parents.” All of the students have a parent or two who play with the band, which numbers 36 this year.

All past directors have been invited to attend as Guests of Honor at Saturday’s concert: Through the years there’s been a number of conductors:

• Kirke Muse 1991-1999
• Virgil Cleveland 1999-2000
• Gary Bennett 2000-2004
• Liz Hanks 2004-06
• Joe Babcock 2007-12
• Martin Lund fall 2012

and now Karen Speck and Jim Shaffer-Bauck share the baton. 25 years and 8 Conductors —  that’s quite a testament to the sustaining enjoyment of making music on Orcas.

“It really feels like just yesterday,” said Karen Key Speck, band officer and member for 21 years. “Our strength over the years has been just coming together to have fun and make music. Every director brought something new and different, and though transitions can be hard, the experience has been wonderful.”

Broadly speaking, Jim’ Shaeffer-Bauck’s forte is more classical music, Karen Speck says, while she’s more inclined to favor pop songs and marches. She’s particularly excited to lead the band in “Park Avenue Beat” which Baby Boomers will recognize as the theme from the “Perry Mason” television series.

The concerts at Orcas Center are not to be missed, “We’re a more experienced band at the Orcas Center concerts, then what you hear on a casual setting, such as the 4^th of July celebrations,” Speck says..

Shaffer-Bauck will start the evening afternoon concert with “Hungarian Dance #5” by J.  Brahms. “Footlifter,” which has come to be the band’s signature song, and “always a favorite” according to Karen Speck, will close the program.

Then in September, rehearsals will start up again on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. in the new school music room behind the old gym. Those who have once played or still play a band instrument  and can read music are welcome to join the all-ages, all-levels group. Some instruments are available for personal use in the band, often through a reciprocal lending agreement with the Orcas Island School music program

Nothing would make the Band happier than to have a full house for the concerts Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m at Orcas Center.  Speck said, “I think the band’s biggest reward is when someone who has never seen us at one of our Orcas Center concerts attends for the first time. They always state with enthusiasm that they had no idea such a good band exists right here on our island and that they had a lot of fun.” Admission is by donation.