Play It Again, Sunset Community Band!

Sunset Community Band at Sunset Dunes in San Francisco

By Joel Engardio

One of the most meaningful things I did as a city supervisor was use my newsletter to launch the Sunset Community Band in 2024.

I felt we needed the music of a community band to counter the "doom loop" narrative San Francisco was experiencing at the time. What better way to create joy and celebrate local pride than a concert band that could play at events big and small?

Musicians Nina and Alex Strachan answered the call to action. The rest is history. I was proud to see the band quickly grow in just two years. It started with eight volunteers in a Judah Street garage. Now there are 50 members playing gigs like the Golden Gate Park Bandshell.

The band then and now:

Sunset Community Band: June 2024 in Judah Street garage (top) and June 2026 in Golden Gate Park (bottom)

Watch highlights from our two-year anniversary concert at the Golden Gate Park bandshell:

Today, I get to play in the band! I’m in the trumpet section.

My goal was to become a player in the band and dust off the cornet that had been sitting in a closet for more than 30 years. I played in my school band from 6th to 9th grades. But life got in the way and I never played again until now. The cornet I first played at age 11 still sounds great.

Joel Engardio in 7th grade and today (holding the same cornet)

What I love about the Sunset Community Band is that most members are reconnecting to the music that brought them joy years ago. Their woodwinds and brass horns also sat in closets for years. But they dusted off their instruments and started playing again. Now we’re able to bring even more joy to the audiences who get to hear us play.

My favorite performance space is Sunset Dunes and my favorite song we play is Elton John's "I'm Still Standing." Both symbolize the importance of perseverance when trying to make something transformative and positive in the world.

Creating new things is never easy but always worth it when you see how the result offers tremendous benefits and improves the lives of many people.

Where do they play?
The Sunset Community Band plays all over San Francisco at events like the Fourth of July parade at Sunset Dunes, night markets, farmer’s markets, and special celebrations and block parties.

Curious how they sound?
Watch the band perform at the Sunset Farmer’s Market:

Watch the band perform at the Golden Gate Park bandshell:

Want to join the band?
Woodwind and brass players are needed. The band is all-ages with current members ranging in age from 20s to 70s.

Love music but can’t play an instrument? The band is also looking for volunteers to help with accounting, marketing, music library organization, and concert logistics.

Early days of the band
The first rehearsals were in the Judah Street garage of band leaders Nina and Alex Strachan. The sound of music flowed from the open garage door. Neighbors opened their windows and came outside to watch the free concert — and to clap and cheer after each song.

The band’s debut was at the first-ever Fourth of July parade at Sunset Dunes, which Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi surprised everyone by attending.

Watch a video about how the band was created:

Band leaders
Nina Strachan plays the saxophone and flute and has marching band experience.

"Having played in all sorts of bands during my childhood and college, I really miss it in my adult life,” Nina says. “I hope to bring this band to all the other musical folks who are missing this community just as much as I am.”

Alex Strachan is the principal horn and assistant conductor for the Oakland Civic Orchestra.

“Community building is more important than ever and I’m excited to help bring the Sunset musical community together,” Alex says.

Joel EngardioJune 19, 2026