The Orcas Community Band, made up of 40 musicians ranging in ages from 15 to 88 “isn’t just a bunch of funky-sounding, old white-haired people, but an exhilarating, fun-filled and very musically competent ensemble,” says Band secretary Karen Speck. “We play light pop music that is enjoyable to listen to.”
The Band’s spring concert on Saturday, June 7 at the Orcas Center, is part of a world-wide centennial tribute to the birth of Swedish-American composer Leroy Anderson. Anderson composed hundreds of familiar short pop tunes over his lifetime including the Christmas classic “Sleigh Ride”, “Horse and Buggy” which evokes the sound of old Western movies, “The Phantom Regiment” that brings to mind a nameless body of soldiers from the Revolutionary War and “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” that became a traditional children’s song.
At the concert, the Band will play Anderson’s “Blue Tango,” “Bugler’s Holiday,” “The Syncopated Clock,” “The Waltzing Cat,” “The Typewriter” and “Ticonderoga March.” “
Everyone will recognize the pieces,” said Speck. “Most listeners don’t know who the man behind the music was.” The band will also feature several pieces by Ralph Vaughan Williams who wrote symphonic, choral and film music, and John Philip Sousa who is known mostly for his marches.
The Band’s goal is to encourage islanders who have been to an Orcas Community Band concert to come to a performance. “You may have heard us at the annual fireworks display or in the Fourth of July parade, but the concert venue at the Orcas Center really allows us to show our skills,” said Speck.
Most of the band members played their instruments in high school or college bands and then put them away for a number of years. With a little encouragement, they have dusted them off and found that they can make great music together. Under the direction of conductor Joe Babcock, the band has grown not only in size, but in talent. “We’ve learned from every conductor in our 18 years,” said Speck. “Joe led prize-winning marching bands in Texas, well known for having the highest standards and fiercest competitions.”
“We’re not stuffy and we are not trying to educate the public about about fine symphonic music,” says Speck. “We just don’t want the public to confuse the fun, light-hearted music we play with lack of musicianship.”
The concert will be held at the Orcas Center on June 7 at 7:30 p.m. There is no admission charge, but donations will be taken at the door. The Band believes music should be accessible to everyone, regardless of the ability to pay.
