The Port Townsend Summer Band is opening its 27th season with yet another free outdoor concert at the Chetzemoka Park Gazebo, this time at 3 p.m., June 30.

Band director Miles Vokurka recalled the esteemed history of the summer band, which was founded by E.J. Gaede in 1992, with members of the Port Townsend Community Orchestra who wanted to continue playing during the summer months, when the orchestra was on break.

From former director Karl Bach, who led the band for 17 years, through Vokurka’s tenure the past two years, the summer band’s membership has held steady at about 40 dedicated musicians from the local area, as well as players from throughout the Olympic Peninsula.

As a nonprofit organization, in which none of the performers or staff are paid, the band relies entirely on donations and support from its patrons to cover publishers’ performance fees, the cost of sheet music, plus supplies and equipment.

The summer band has already performed at this year’s Memorial Day observance, at the Marvin G. Shields Memorial Post 26 Hall of the American Legion.

“It’s a ceremony the band has been honored to be part of for many years,” Vokurka said. “Serving the Port Townsend community, to recognize our service men and women, has been very important to the band, which is why we will also perform this November at the Veterans Day program.”

And on the Fourth of July, the band will play at Fort Worden during the “Old School Celebration,” at 6 p.m. on the parade grounds.

In between these two tradition-bound performances, though, the summer band is adding an eclectic flavor to its June 30 concert.

“This opening outdoor program will be the band’s ‘World Tour,’ featuring a selection of music from different countries, including Italy, Mexico, Scotland and France, as well as marches and patriotic music,” said Vokurka, who will be joined by Tyler Benedict, director of the Sequim City Band, as a guest conductor for part of the program, while summer band member Ruthann Patterson sings the National Anthem.

Two other outdoor community concerts are scheduled for 3 p.m. during weekends, one July 28 at the Pope Marine Plaza in downtown Port Townsend, and the other Aug. 25 back at Chetzemoka Park.

The band meets every Tuesday, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Port Townsend High School music practice room, to rehearse and prepare their program selections.

“Any musicians interested in joining are welcome to attend,” Vokurka said.

Its members range from local school students to more mature players, all with a background in playing brass, woodwind and percussion instruments.

“Some of them have professional music experience, as players or teachers, but most are simply former high school or college band members, or amateurs,” Vokurka said.

For more information, call Vokurka at 360-379-5710.