Strike up your band skills with Orcas Community Band

||| FROM KAREN KEY SPECK for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY BAND |||

Albert Schweitzer said, “There are two means of refuge from life: music and cats.” The Orcas Animal Protection Society can assist you with the cats and the Orcas Island Community Band can help with the music aspect.

If you play(ed) a wind instrument, you are invited to join us for our fall/winter season. Rehearsals begin Monday, September 14 at 7:00pm. Simply, bring your instrument and a can-do-attitude. Even if you haven’t played in years, the skill will return, (just like riding a bike – only less dangerous.) We promise!

The Orcas Island Community Band is a no-audition-band, averaging 35 musicians. We rehearse every Monday, 7-9 at the Public-School Band Room (park at the rear of the building.) Look for the BAND sign near the entry doors. The Band is open to adults of all ages, and to dedicated youth who are recommended by an adult, mentor or school teacher.

The Community Band is known for its fun attitude, but serious devotion to presenting good music to the Orcas community. The Band performs two formal concerts a year (June and December) plus the quick and fun St. Patrick’s Day parade and Fourth of July festivities.

We promise something for everybody – marches, show tunes, classical, pop and everything in between so that audience and musicians are never bored. We begin our 37th season this winter, or if we trace our earliest roots, The Band first appeared in 1978 before incorporating as a non- profit in 1990!

See you Monday, Sept 14th for lots of fun and camaraderie and mark your calendars for our Winter/Holiday Concert at Orcas Center, December 18, 2026.

For questions, contact Director Karen J. Key Speck, karenkey@orcasonline.com.