Playing Around
Artists, actors and musicians of all kinds make their home in the Dungeness Valley, many of whom gather in groups to share their gifts with all of us. For those who love music, but perhaps let their skills sit dormant during their work life or while raising kids, there are groups in Sequim that are ready and waiting for you to come and join them. And, if you are a person who simply enjoys listening to great music performed live, there are concerts year-round for you.
Sequim City Band
Founded in 1992 by Chuck Swisher, a former music educator, the City Band became the only community concert band on the Olympic Peninsula. Their early concerts were held in Carrie Blake Park with their modest membership of about 14 performers. There have been three music directors for the band so far: Shuck Swisher (1992 – 2008), Sanford Feibus (2008 – 2012) and current director Tyler Benedict, who took up the baton in 2013.
In 2005, the band undertook a huge fundraising campaign and construction project, building the James Center for Performing Arts and Swisher Hall at Carrie Blake Park. The large, outdoor amphitheater-style space and rehearsal room was donated to the city of Sequim upon their completion, to be managed by the city, though the band retains the rights to schedule and use the space as their own.
The band, now more than 70 members strong, outgrew their rehearsal room and began a new capital campaign to build a new space that could accommodate their ranks as well as other musical groups that rent the space for practice sessions. Now complete, the newly dedicated Swisher Rehearsal Hall, complete with recording booth and amazing acoustic design, has also been donated to the city of Sequim.
The band performs five free concerts at the James Center each year, including a patriotic celebration on the Fourth of July. During the cooler months, they perform three indoor concerts at local venues like the Sequim High School auditorium. In small ensembles, members of the band also travel to various events around the peninsula for performances. Members are all volunteer musicians, giving their time to perform for their audiences.
Sequim Community Orchestra
While Port Angeles, just a few miles to the west, has a robust orchestral program in their public schools, no such program has ever been included in the offerings of the Sequim School District. The co-principal violists of the Port Angeles Symphony, both also private music teachers, found that the lack of ensemble opportunities was limiting their students. In January of 2012, Phil Morgan-Ellis and Lilias Green arranged what was to be the first ever meeting of the Sequim Community Orchestra (SCO).
Rehearsals first began in February of 2012, with their first concert held that May. Musicians were encouraged to join, the only requirements being that they had an instrument, could read sheet music and could keep up with the selections made by the music director. Now, in 2023, the group is made up of more than 40 string, wind and percussion performers, and there are still no auditions required. The group only performs two or three concerts per year, always free to the public.
But what about those private students? In 2013, the String Kids Youth Orchestra programs were launched. The first years, students paid nothing to attend after-school music classes, funded by the SCO. Even from the beginning, donated instruments were refurbished for use in a loaner closet, with no charge to access the instrument of the child’s choosing.
Now, having finished their 11th season in Sequim, the SCO is back to its regular season schedule, rehearsing in Swisher Rehearsal Hall and educating students living within the Sequim School District boundaries. Students pay a nominal fee per quarter for instruction, and members of the orchestra pay dues to offset the costs of renting space and maintaining both loaner instruments and a library of music, donated by Music Director Phil Morgan-Ellis.
A Song to Sing
Do you prefer vocal ensembles to instrumental groups? Sequim has that covered, too!
Juan de Fuca Harmony – this group was once called the “Olympic Peninsula Men’s Chorus” and featured songs performed in the style of barbershop harmony. In the past few years, the changes were not only to their name. Juan de Fuca Harmony is now inclusive of all genders, though they still perform acapella. You can find them performing at local events and festivals, both in their full formation and as small groups.
Grand Olympics Chorus – this is our local chapter of the Sweet Adelines International. This all women’s chorus rehearses on Monday evenings and performs in concert several times a year. During the holidays, you can find them in festive colors performing special concerts at local retirement communities and at Christmas-themed events across the region. They also sing the National Anthem at our local baseball field for the Port Angeles Lefties every summer.
Peninsula Singers – Singing two concerts per year, this organization led by Music Director Jerome Wright was founded in 1988. For their fall concert, they often focus their selections on Broadway and popular tunes, while their spring concert focuses on classical and religious music. In April of 2023, their concert was Requiem by Faure and Songs of Spring.
Sequim Community Christmas Chorus – Having not performed since 2019, 2023r marks the return of this holiday favorite for Christmas music lovers. This group holds a weekend of concerts, bringing together singers from the groups named above as well as from various church choirs in the area. Each year, they select a charitable organization with whom to share their profits. From popular favorites to Christmas hymns, the program each year is filled with joyful music and the audience never fails to fill the Sequim Seventh-Day Adventist Church pews.
This selection of groups is not a comprehensive list of musical offerings on the Olympic Peninsula. If you are in Sequim, you’ll see this is just a sampling of the abundant, amazing talent you’ll want to hear firsthand.
