Sequim City Band preps patriotic playlist

By Michael Dashiell • June 26, 2024 1:30 am
Sequim Gazette file photo by Emily Matthiessen / Tyler Benedict leads the Sequim City Band at last week’s Independence Day concert in 2023.
Sequim Gazette file photo by Emily Matthiessen / Tyler Benedict leads the Sequim City Band at last week’s Independence Day concert in 2023.

Sequim residents don’t have to go far to experience a musical journey celebrating the nation’s independence.

A tradition since 1992, the Sequim City Band opens a day full of music and (literal) fireworks with the group’s annual Independence Day concert, “A Patriotic 4th of July,” at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, at bandshell at the James Center for Performing Arts at Carrie Blake Community Park, 506 N. Blake Ave.

Following the presentation and posting of colors by the Civil Air Patrol Dungeness Unit’s Cadet Color Guard, the band fills the concert with a couple of well-known John Philip Sousa marches, a medley of popular Glenn Miller tunes, and music from the movies “The Magnificent Seven” (composer Elmer Bernstein) and “The Patriot” (composer John Williams).

A melodious arrangement of “America, the Beautiful” by Carmen Dragon and “Inchon” by Robert W. Smith, a piece written to acknowledge the Korean people and U.S. military service personnel who served during the Korean Conflict, are amongst the musical offerings.

Photo by Richard Greenway/Sequim City Band The Sequim City Band trumpet and trombone sections performing “Stars and Stripes Forever” at its July 4th concert in 2022.

Photo by Richard Greenway/Sequim City Band The Sequim City Band trumpet and trombone sections performing “Stars and Stripes Forever” at its July 4th concert in 2022.

Past and current service members will be honored musically with “Armed Forces Salute” — a compilation of service songs.

At concert’s end, as an exclamation point to the day’s festivities, a flyover by the U.S. Coast Guard Air Rescue helicopter from Air Station Port Angeles is scheduled (provided the rescue crew is not called to provide its regular duty essential rescue services).

Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket and find a spot on the lawn in front of the James Center stage. Children and dogs can enjoy the grassy expanse, and after some fun-in-the-sun all can settle in to enjoy the afternoon concert and evening entertainments from the open-air performance stage.

On-site parking and concert are free to one-and-all.

Concert-goers are also invited to stay throughout the remainder of the day and evening as the City of Sequim sponsors more live entertainment — SuperNostaligic at 5 p.m, and Black Diamond Junction at 7 p.m. — and capped by a sundown fireworks display at about 10 p.m. at the nearby Albert Haller Playfields, just across from the lawn seating at the James Center.

Get more information about the Sequim City Band at sequimcityband.org. Get more information about City of Sequim-sponsored entertainment at sequimwa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1419.