A band that got together on a dare is part of the musical lineup for the Festival at Mount Si. Sno Valley Winds takes to the Community Stage of the Festival Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

The group is mostly made up of adult musicians of varying backgrounds, ranging from people who play professionally to people who haven’t played since high school.

The band was started by Dean Snavely, a middle school teacher who convinced band parents to learn or relearn an instrument for a performance. That stunt caught on and so many people got into playing music again that they stayed together and formed the Sno Valley Winds. Snavely moved on a few years ago and Mike Herb, a high school band director, now directs.

“It’s really just about having fun and playing your instrument,” Herb said. “It’s for people to continue playing after the easy ways of playing in school disappear.”

Carol Fix, an alto saxophone player in the band, said that the group is very welcoming and always open to new members.

“We do this because we like making music,” she said. “It’s a really fun group.”

There are currently about 20 to 25 members, playing various instruments but they are always looking for more, especially because the music can change based on who they have.

“Instrumentation is based on who joins,” Fix said. “We need some more percussion right now.”

All levels of skill are invited to join as long as people are willing to put the work in to learn.

“We have players in the group that I consider semi-professional and a player who learned a completely new instrument just for the band,” Herb said.

Fix hadn’t played since she was in school but was able to catch back up. When she started playing her saxophone with the group, it was the first time she had played since seventh grade.

The Sno Valley Winds will play a 30-minute set consisting of four songs, “America the Beautiful,” “Canterbury Chorale,” a “Sound of Music” medley and the “National Emblem March.”

The Sno Valley Winds are also performing at Snoqualmie’s Railroad Days, 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 on the Arts Stage.

“We are always looking for new players. If people want to join, check out our website or come to our concerts and come talk to us,” Herb said.

For information, visit www.snovalleywinds.org.