Like so many great ideas, the community band started with about a dozen musicians practicing in a garage in the highlands. The theme of the group, according to one of its founding members Russ Harvey, was, “If you can breathe you can play.”

The band has the same philosophy today, and perhaps that is why they are now celebrating 25 years as a musical group. They are having a concert to celebrate this anniversary on Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Orcas Center. Admission is by donation.

So 25 years ago, with a willingness to wipe the dust off their instruments many island musicians joined the band playing instruments they hadn’t touched in years.

John Evans learned to play he clarinet in high school but had not played for 30 years when he joined the music group.

“It has been wonderful,” he said.

Original band members met in a garage and played their first concert at the same location.

“It’s such a neat premise. The band was founded on the theme that if you enjoy music and if you play an instrument you don’t have to audition just  play the notes you know,” said Evans.

He said the openness of the band and the joy of the music is part of what has kept the band running for so long. But he added that the real glue keeping the ensemble intact has been Karen and Ken Speck, also members of the band.

“They have held everything together all this time,” said Evans. “It is their energy and stick-to-itiveness that has kept this thing going.”

Memorable concerts for Evans and Harvey include playing “God Bless America” at the Orcas Center after 9/11 and playing in a pickup bed at the Fourth of July parade.

“When the band plays ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’ just as the fireworks go … It is the quintessential all-American Fourth of July,” said Evans.

Not only has the band been a staple in the performance arena, but they have also been instrumental in mentoring younger musicians. Before there was a music program at the school young musicians would get a chance to play and learn in the community band. The band, led by the efforts of the Specks, also helped to fundraise and eventually reinstate the music program at the school. The community band is still open to musicians of different ages and musicians that range from intermediate to expert.

Current directors of the band are Jim Shaffer-Bauck and Karen Speck, who bring two different styles and tastes to each rehearsal and show.

At the heart of the group is a willingness to share and bring musicians together. It truly lives up to its name – the community band.

“I still have fun. It’s sort of my hobby and my release,” said Harvey.