Yakima Valley Community Band
Roger Finch, director

The Yakima Valley Community Band, 501 (c) (3) organization, which has existed for most of the 20th century, has become an integral part of the Yakima entertainment scene.

Begun in 1919 as the Yakima City Band, the Yakima Valley Community Band has a long tradition of providing live music to the communities of the Yakima Valley through free public concerts. The band performs throughout the year at Eisenhower High School, and for various community celebrations and festivals, but is best known for its summer series of band concerts called "Concerts In The Parks." The band has traveled twice to Europe for musical tours. The band is a volunteer non-profit organization supported by Yakima Valley community businesses and individuals.

The Yakima Valley Community Band draws its name and membership from the fertile Yakima Valley in Central Washington. Musicians range in age from junior high school students to retirees, and include current and former Yakima Symphony members, music educators and amateur musicians from up and down the valley. Band members love to present music to their community as a year-round band. There are also several families where generations perform together in the band.

One requirement of membership is that musicians be able to read and play the music. Members should be able to perform with a degree of accuracy and sense of ensemble that contributes to the success of the band's performance.

Band members enjoyed a successful concert tour of Switzerland in 1996, and in 1999, a tour of Great Britain.

Purpose -

  • To provide live music for Yakima Valley communities
  • To continue the tradition of American music education through free public concerts
  • To aid the local community in appreciation for music
  • To provide a venue for area musicians to perform

December 5th, 2011 concert

Summer 2011- traditional marches, movie and broadway selections, lots of "big band music", more ensemble features this summer - bring your picnic!

Band Schedule - Summer in the parks 2011

April 18, 2011 concert

More band photos
Summer photos, Toppenish, 2009 - thanks to Gary
Summer  2005 Band Photos

Band Roster

Fun Band Facts about our members

2011-2012 rehearsals

Current Band Donors

  • anonymous from the Yakima Valley Community Foundation
  • LooWitt Gardens - Cindy Mahre
  • Washington Beef
  • Toppenish Lions Club
  • Bill & Marietta Hake
  • Norma J. Smith
  • Toppenish Chamber of Commerce
  • City of Selah
  • R. & S. Cummings
  • Gale & Linda Culbertson
  • Selah Chamber of Commerce
  • Yakima Lions Club
  • Linda Culbertson



Roger Finch
Roger Finch
(877-6628 at home and 877-6307 at office)

Roger Finch became the Summer Associate Conductor of the Yakima Valley Community Band in 2008, and upon the retirement of Doug Nott, assumed the year-round leadership of the Band in 2010.

"The most fun I have all week!"

Roger is a native of Grandview, WA, where his father Dallas Finch was a well-known music educator.  His high school band director at Grandview was John R. Schactler, a former conductor of the YVCB.  Roger received his Bachelor of Music degree from Miami (Ohio) University and began his public school music career in Ohio.  While there he was the Assistant Conductor of the Hamilton, Ohio community band.  He returned to the Yakima Valley as the music director at Wapato H.S. in 1970.

In 1975 Roger reluctantly left public school teaching for private business, but music has continued to be an important presence in his life.  A trombonist, he has played in the Yakima Symphony Orchestra since 1971.  He has been the choir director at Englewood Christian Church since 1972.  His present association with the YVCB marks a happy return to instrumental conducting after a hiatus of 33 years.

Roger’s wife, Jane, is a soprano well-known in the Valley.  His daughter, Julie Finch, is a professional, classical singer in the Puget Sound area, and his son, Peter Finch, sang in the Harvard Glee Club and played French horn in the Harvard Wind Ensemble.  His other daughter, Jennifer, sadly abandoned her music career to become a painter.



* Donations to the Yakima Valley Community Band can be given to any band member at a performance. You may also mail a donation to Yakima Valley Community Band at P. O. Box 9742, Yakima, WA 98909. Email Barb Thrasher or Lisa Herke if you have any questions about your tax deductible donation. (Current Yakima Community Band Donors).

Barb Thrasher - website