Every season must come to an end, and not only is the Port Townsend Summer Band is preparing to perform its final outdoor concert for its 27th summer season, but its director for the past two summers, Miles Vokurka, is retiring.

“I am getting a bit older, and my stamina is not as strong as I would have hoped for,” Vokurka said. “I will continue to play with the band, and will help however I am able to make a smooth transition into the next year.”

Vokurka expressed considerable enthusiasm for this final concert, which is set to feature three local guest conductors, plus some up-and-coming talents whom he hopes will receive further attention through their performances.

“The conductors are all experienced directors and musicians,” Vokurka said. “Marge Rosen plays trumpet in the band, and has been involved with a number of musical groups in the Seattle area. And Mike McLeron is the band’s tuba player, as well as being a member of the Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra.”

Port Townsend High School music teacher Kim Clarke will direct the band with PTHS clarinet player Kincaid Gould contributing a solo.

Everyone is invited to attend this free concert at 3 p.m. on Aug. 25, in the gazebo at Chetzemoka Park.

“Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Chetzemoka,” Vokurka said.

Prior to Vokurka’s tenure during the past two years, the Port Townsend Summer Band was led for 17 years by former director Karl Bach, and was founded by E.J. Gaede in 1992, with members of the Port Townsend Community Orchestra who wanted to continue playing during the summer, when the orchestra was on break.

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.

“We have a great bunch of musicians playing for us, including a good number from Sequim and Port Angeles, who have been members for quite a few years,” Vokurka said. “Plus, these past two years, we have added several Port Townsend High School musicians, very talented young players, to the group.”

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.

“At times, it is difficult to raise all the funds we need to pay for all the fees, advertising costs and instruments, but mainly, to buy new, interesting and well-written band music,” Vokurka said. “We have a very dedicated board of band members who do a lot of work keeping things going.”

Vokurka continued Bach’s patriotic standards during Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and added medleys from the 1980s, songs by the Beatles and Michael Jackson, and even a “world tour” of music from different countries.

Even as he steps down as director, Vokurka assured the band’s fans that its path forward has been prepared.

“We were very fortunate to find an experienced, younger conductor to take over the band beginning with the program on Veterans Day,” Vokurka said. “Marge Rosen is an excellent trumpet player and teacher, who has directed and worked with groups in the Seattle area, before moving out here to the Olympic Peninsula. She is extremely excited to get started working with the Port Townsend Summer Band, and to keep its tradition of fine musical performance continuing. The band is in good hands.”