Submitted by the Orcas Island Community Band.

The Orcas Island Community Band favors the number 35. Averaging 35 musicians-strong each season, the Orcas Island Community Band is concluding its 35th year as a nonprofit, though the band can actually trace its roots to 1978! The band’s annual holiday concert is Saturday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m. at Orcas Center. Admission is by donation.

The December concert is a special gift from the musicians to all island neighbors and friends.

The band concert is traditionally the last “event” on the island before Christmas. The Community Band asks that you consider bringing someone along who might not otherwise have someone with whom to celebrate the holidays.

The band’s repertoire is vast — performing movie themes, polkas, Latin selections, marches and well-known favorites like “76 Trombones.” The concert concludes with holiday tunes and an audience sing-along.

Under the direction of Karen Key Speck, the band prepares musical selections with broad appeal. In the summer, the band is heard and seen at the annual Fourth of July festivities. The band urges everyone to attend its more formal concert on Dec. 20. The band’s musical versatility shines when performing on the Orcas Center stage.

Steve Alboucq photo. Orcas Community Band under Karen Key Speck’s direction.

Contributed photo. The Orcas Island Community Band.

Contributed photo. Conductor Karen Key Speck.