Woodinville Community Band: Where Band Geeks Return to Pursue Their Passions

No one tells musician Greg Cagle to keep his day job. He’s too good, and if you’ve seen him play bass clarinet, you’ll quickly agree. Having said that, there’s zero chance anytime soon that Cagle will leave his program manager job at Microsoft.

Though he’s been an integral part of the Woodinville Community Band, for 18 years one of the best and most respected ensembles in Puget Sound, Cagle performs, like all his band mates, for the love of music.

In other words, none of the 50-60 members of the nonprofit band get paid for their efforts.

“We are all band geeks who had no place to play after high school and college,” Cagle said during an interview at Overlake Christian Church on Willows Road, where the band takes over the choir room once a week for rehearsals. “If you have a job at Microsoft writing code during the day, this is your outlet.”

Cagle, like many members, wears many hats. In addition to acting as the
band’s marketing director, he is a key part of the both the Concert Band and the organization’s Eastside Modern Jazz Orchestra, which is directed by Neil Proff.

The WCB also includes the Pacific Cascade Big Band, directed by Cameron Davison, and several small ensembles.

The Concert Band, the original ensemble and face of the WCB, is a traditional wind symphony featuring woodwind, brass, percussion and stringed basses. Led by director Leah MacDuffie, the band plays classical music, show tunes, marches and contemporary pieces.

Right now, WCB is gearing up for a performance June 25 at Ballard Locks. The jazz orchestra performs a week later at the same venue. 

At rehearsal, MacDuffie kept things light, making the musicians laugh with strategically timed stories, while praising good work and offering suggestions when the sound didn’t match her expectations.

“Rehearsals are intense,” said Cagle, who also has his own band, Route 66, which gets paying gigs. “We’ve got a lot of former top college players here, and even some who are professionals. Lots of baby boomers. They come from Woodinville, the Eastside, Seattle, Canada, all over.”

Anyone can join the WCB, but should be prepared for a closely inspected audition. “We used to be more open, but we got full and became pickier about it,” said Cagle.

All the hard work is worth it when the band performs in front of an appreciative audience.

“When you’re on stage and ripping,” Cagle said, “there’s nothing like it.”

The Woodinville Community Band performs 2 p.m. June 25 at Ballard Locks.