SEQUIM — Sequim City Band’s new practice spot is the perfect place for a celebration.
The group of local and regional musicians invites the community to another free concert this coming Sunday at the James Center for the Performing Arts, with an added bonus: a ribbon cutting and tours of the band’s new, expanded rehearsal hall.
Festivities begin at 2:30 p.m. with a photo and ribbon cutting with the Sequim-Dungeness Chamber of Commerce.
The free concert kicks off at 3 p.m., with comments from invited speakers coming between selections.
Various celebratory, high-energy pieces will fill the afternoon air in honor of the event, band representatives said — ranging from Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Sea Songs” (a collection of sea shanty tunes) to a salute to Hollywood with a medley of movie theme songs and a collection of Elton John songs.
There will be music composed across the past century — “Bullets & Bayonets” (1918) by John Philip Sousa to “The Country Club Stomp” (2022) by JaRod Hill — that provide energetic, uplifting melodies and driving rhythms.
The mix of past and contemporary music, band reps said, demonstrates the band’s mission to perform, promote and preserve symphonic band music and its “Building a Legacy” goal to make wind ensemble music accessible to the public.
Beth Pratt, executive director at the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce, will provide program notes for these pieces and more.
The ribbon cutting ceremony will feature brief comments by Sequim Mayor Tom Ferrell and State Rep. Steve Tharinger.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket for the concert and stay after the music to tour the new facility.
The next in the 2023 “Concerts at the James” Summer Series is 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, to celebrate Independence Day, followed by 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, and 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9.
More information about the Sequim City Band, including the status for its expanded rehearsal hall, can be found on sequimcity band.org or facebook.com/Sequim.City.Band.
