PurposeThe purpose of the organization is to perform, promote, and further live concert band music. The band is organized exclusively for educational, charitable, scientific and literary purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Constitution, the YVCB shall not carry on any activities that are not in furtherance of one of these purposes.
1. To promote and further the performance of live concert band music.
2. To provide area musicians an opportunity to continue to enjoy their music experience.
3. To provide students with a large band experience.
Joshua Parrill is a Redmond, WA native who has recently dug his roots into the Yakima Valley. During his tenure at Central Washington University, where he graduated in 2014 with a Bachelors of Music Education, Joshua performed in multiple ensembles on various woodwind instruments. He is an active performer in numerous pit orchestras across the region including Valley Musical Theatre (Ellensburg), Mid-Columbia Musical Theatre (Tri-Cities), Valley Theatre Company (Prosser), and Yakima Valley College (Yakima).
In 2011 Joshua became one of the first members to join the Ellensburg Big Band, a complete 19 piece jazz ensemble that focuses on swing dance music, and later took over musical direction in 2012. The Ellensburg Big Band has performed across Washington state and internationally in Sanda City, Japan. Joshua continues to lead that group to this day.
In 2015 Joshua became the General Music teacher at Chief Kamiakin Elementary in Sunnyside, WA. There he works to instill a love for music while laying a solid music foundation for more than 750 students from 1st through 5th grade. Joshua's students provide concerts for their school and local community throughout the year. Joshua also teaches private Saxophone and Clarinet lessons where students learn effective practice habits along with developing a keen awareness to their own playing.
Beginning in 2016 Joshua became Assistant Director of the Yakima Valley Community Band. After Roger Finch, the previous director, retired in 2017 Joshua stepped into the role of Co-Director with Dan Wallbaum. He has a visions of high caliber musicianship from the ensemble which they strive to obtain through challenging yet entertaining programs and an emphasis on a positive and productive environment. Beginning in August 2019, Joshua became Band Director.
Janet Roberts - President
Barb Hernandez - Vice President, Fundraising Co-Chair
Lisa Herke - Secretary/Treasurer
Joshua Parrill - Director
Brent Elkins - At-Large, Marketing & Advertising Chair
Ruth Van Kommer - At-Large
Erin Elkins - At-Large
Joel Goesch - At-Large, Yakima Valley Big Band Liason
Rick Rodden - At-Large, Fundraising Co-Chair
The Board of Directors meets at least annually, plus as needed per the determination of the President.
The board may call a General Membership meeting with two weeks notice to discuss items the band membership needs to vote on.
An interim election will be held on March 13th, 2023 to elect a replacement member to the board, and to elect a new Board President. Other board officers may need to be chosen depending on the outcome of the vote for President.
Meet the current Band Members
In 1919, an article in the Yakima Herald Republic announced that a 50-piece band was being organized in Yakima, supported by local businessmen. It was an all-male group that rehearsed in school band rooms and performed in parades and park concerts. This band represented the civic pride of the community of Yakima.
Around 1949, the band was absorbed by the Yakima Elks Lodge. They played for meetings and parades and traveled to Elks conventions. When the Elks moved their lodge to Selah, the band became the Yakima Community Band, much as it started out, and as it still is today. Female musicians joined the band as it continued to rehearse in schools and play summer park concerts. The concerts were held in parks in all the neighborhoods of the city, but that left audiences unsure where to find the next concert. Randall Park, with its creek-side location was established and remains the summer band concert venue.
Besides the Randall Park concerts, the band expanded its schedule to include summer park concerts in other valley communities, particularly in Toppenish and Selah, but in other cities up and down the valley as well. The band has traveled beyond the valley to perform in Leavenworth, Goldendale, and Walla Walla. As part of Community Band festivals, the band has performed at the Seattle Center and on the Seattle waterfront for their Maritime Days Festival.
he band has also represented Yakima abroad. At their own expense, members of the Yakima Valley Community Band traveled to Switzerland in 1996. A grant from the Petry Trust enabled that group to appear in the band’s new dress uniforms for concerts in Davos, Bad Ragaz, and in a historic band shell on the shores of Lake Lucerne.
In 1999, the band traveled to Great Britain, traveling through England and Scotland to perform. Most of the concerts were arranged in small communities so band members were able to interact with the local people. Meeting local band musicians and sharing concert venues with them enriched the experience.
In 2000, the band purchased a trailer to replace the small fleet of pickup trucks that formerly transported percussion instruments, music stands, our public address system, and boxes of music to the outdoor concerts. Having a safe system of transporting and storing band supplies and instruments led to the purchase of a set of timpani and other percussion instruments which previously were borrowed from school bands.
Since 1919 the band has continued to flourish under many excellent directors.
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Yakima Valley Community Band
P. O. Box 9742
Yakima, WA 98909
© 2016-2023 Yakima Valley Community Band. All rights reserved