By Marianne Lincoln

I met them at a booth in the gym at Graham Kapowsin High School. They were surrounded by band instruments and asking people if they knew how to play an instrument. They were excited to learn I played the French horn.

“We need French horns!” they exclaimed. I gave them my card, suggesting first, I needed to talk about their amazing dedication to music and community, an interview would be nice. Sonja called me back on Monday.

The Cascade Community Concert and Jazz Band has existed 15 years, started by Ruden Watson. They draw members from Eatonville, Port Orchard, and Olympia as well as the middle of Pierce County. They rehearse at Fir Lane Memorial Chapel in Spanaway on Monday nights. The Jazz bands meets from 7 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. The Concert band meets from 7:50 to 9 p.m. They may be a band, but they sing praises for the generosity of Chuck and Sue Overra and the new owners of Fir Lane for allowing them to use their facilities to rehearse.

They need more members. There are no dues, it is all volunteer. Current members have been participating anywhere from 1 to 15 years, averaging 4 or 5 years of participation. The band was established in 2006 under the direction of Ruben Watson and is comprised of adults and student players who want to utilize their talent and have some fun.

They play at college graduations, the Washington State Fair, All Bethel Community Day, and the Festival of Trees, as well as smaller venues like retirement homes, churches, parks, farmers markets, and the Tacoma Rescue Mission, always interested in new opportunities to play for the public. Tonight, they were rehearsing Christmas music, one of their venues has been the Victorian Country Christmas.

Periodically, they have taken trips to play in such places as the Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho and the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, Oregon.

They need more players, Right now, their greatest needs are for oboe, bassoon, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor sax, and French horn. Anyone who wants to be part of a local concert band is welcome. Recently, they took out an ad on Craigslist to find interested local musicians.

If you have the desire to play and perform at free local venues, this might be the place for you.

You can email Ruben Watson at CascadeCommunityBand@gmail.com if you are interested or have more questions.

Here are a few photos from tonight’s rehearsal.