About US - Who Are We?
Who are We? ALL-CITY!
Established in 1951 by the Seattle Public Schools, the All-City Band has a reputation for excellence in music education, student leadership, and entertainment. The band brings together students from schools throughout the greater Seattle area to entertain in upwards of 20 parades and community celebrations each summer. Its energetic performances and choreography have garnered hundreds of first-place and sweepstakes awards and entertained audiences throughout the Puget Sound region as well as in British Columbia, California, Hawaii, and Washington D.C.
The All-City Marching Band is under the direction of Dr. Marcus Pimpleton, who is in his 31st year with the band and his 21st year as director. Dr. Pimpleton is currently serving as principal of Mariner High School and as an assistant director with the University of Washington Athletic Bands. The band rehearses three nights per week at Memorial Stadium, right next door to the Seattle Center.
What's the Word? PRIDE!
The All-City Band was started in 1951 as an answer to the question of how to have school programs represented in Seattle area summer celebrations when the schools are closed and the bands are not meeting. The band was started to fill this void and since then has served as the summer ambassador for school music programs.
The band rehearses three nights per week at Memorial Stadium in downtown Seattle. Despite the fact that there are not auditions for membership, the band has managed to maintain a tradition of musical and entertainment excellence.
What Do We Do? ENTERTAIN!
The program typically runs for about 7 weeks, beginning the week following the last day of school. Rehearsals are typically Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights with performances most weekends. Highlights of the summer typically include the West Seattle –Hi Yu Festival, Olympia Lakefair, and the Seafair Torchlight Parades. For the past few years the band has ended each summer with a weekend trip to beautiful Penticton British Columbia to participate in the Penticton Peach Festival.
Next summer (2024), the band will be representing the State of Washington in the Independence Day Parade in Washington DC.
