Debbi Soderstrom

Sequim City Band is the premier concert band on the North Olympic Peninsula. The 60-member band, an organization that has been around for 29 years, entertains audiences of up to 1000+ at free concerts throughout the year. The band returns to performing with an opening concert on August 22, 2021, at 3 p.m. at the James Center for the Performing Arts. 

Debbi Soderstrom, Sequim City Band Board President:

“I have lived in Sequim for seven years.  I moved here from Southern California; a little town called Norco "Horse town USA".  I first heard about Sequim years ago, when a coworker of my husband's mentioned that if he ever retired, we should check out Sequim. The idea stuck. 

“Besides appreciating the climate and natural surroundings, I feel that Sequim attracts a great variety of truly talented individuals - be they musicians, visual artists, photographers, and more. 

“The climate - both physical and social - makes performing music in Sequim a real joy.  In the summer, concerts take place at Carrie Blake Park in the James Center for the Performing Arts, an outdoor concert bandshell.  Guests bring their blankets or chairs to sit on the lawn and listen. All concerts are free to attend.

“I play alto sax (and occasionally soprano sax) in the Band and am the saxophone section leader. I am also the founder and lead of the Saxologists, a small ensemble of saxophones from Sequim City Band. 

“The band’s mission is "to perform, preserve and promote concert band music." We play many types of concert band music as well as marches. Our repertoire includes symphonic pieces written for band, orchestral transcriptions, show tunes, patriotic pieces, holiday tunes, movie music, marches and more! 

“Normally, the Band performs year-round, with monthly concerts in the band shell during the warmer months and inside at local high school auditoriums during the cooler months. 

“As board president, I chair monthly board meetings, assist with committee work, keep the band members advised of board projects, and sign documents on behalf of the band. During the COVID shutdown, our board has been particularly busy with organizing a new project which we are excited to be able to share with the public later this summer.

“Some members have relocated or moved on to other activities during the COVID shutdown. Anyone who has thought of playing with the band should contact us now as we are looking to fill many spots. Dust off that old instrument and join us!  

“Anyone high school age and older interested in joining the Band or requesting more information can simply contact us through our website (www.sequimcityband.org) or email me at president@sequimcityband.org. Our phone number is (360) 207-4722.”