The Sequim City Band is a community symphonic wind ensemble located in Sequim, Washington on the beautiful North Olympic Peninsula.
Our Mission Statement
- To perform free symphonic band concerts, enriching the lives of musicians and community members of the North Olympic Peninsula;
- To promote music education by providing performing opportunities to local musicians and students as well as student scholarships;
- To preserve symphonic band music for the enjoyment of future generations.
Rehearsals
Weekly 2-hour rehearsals (with a post Christmas-New Years break of 4-5 weeks) take place at the Chuck Swisher Rehearsal Hall starting at 7PM. Doors to the hall open at 6:30PM. CSRH is a part of the James Center for the Performing Arts, 506 N. Blake Ave, Sequim WA. See “Contact” tab to secure further details – we are happy to answer your questions.
Brief History of the Band & the James Center for the Performing Arts
When the group was established in 1992 by Chuck Swisher, a former music educator, there were no community concert bands on the Olympic Peninsula.
Evolving from its roots in 1992 with 14 members, the Band today is comprised of 70+ members from all over the peninsula. The Band has had three musical directors: Chuck Swisher (1992-2008), Sanford Feibus (2008-2012), and Tyler Benedict (2013-present). The Band’s repertoire includes standard concert band literature, marches, Broadway and movie music, big band swing/jazz arrangements, and patriotic music – a bit of something for everyone.
James Center for the Performing Arts
The Band’s home base is the James Center for the Performing Arts located in the north section of Carrie Blake Park. Through fundraising and community support, the first phase of the James Center was built in 2005 by Sequim City Band. The facility was donated to the City of Sequim for the enjoyment and use by a variety of community musical organizations.
Construction of Phase II, an expanded rehearsal hall, began on October 3rd, 2022. This acoustically designed rehearsal hall comfortably accommodates instrumental music groups with up to 75 musicians. Construction was complete in April 2023 and SCB returned to the James Center and began its rehearsals in the new Chuck Swisher Rehearsal Hall on April 19th, 2023.
Sequim City Band Performance Schedule
Residents and visitors are able to enjoy the benefits and convenience of attending local, live musical performances free of charge throughout the year. During the warmer months, the Sequim City Band performs 5 outdoor concerts at the James Center’s outdoor performance stage, including its traditional 4th of July concert. During late fall, winter, and early spring, the band presents 3 indoor concerts at local venues.
The concert band also performs for community events and organizations and it has a variety of small ensemble performing groups that perform at festivals which occur in Sequim and surrounding areas.
The Band is recognized as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of Band and community members.