Give the gift of inspiring musical experiences
This fall, the Orcas Island School District music program is moving to a quick beat. In October, high school musicians entertained family and community in the annual Costume/Pops Concert, and the high school Pep Band marched and played at Homecoming festivities on the Village Green. Bravo!
A change in schedule — This year, high school band and strings groups are meeting at 8:30 AM four times a week instead of at zero hour at 7:15 every morning. This change was welcomed by students and benefits those who rely on school bus transport or were deterred by the early start.
Transportation budget — Traveling off-island for competitions, honor festivals, and performances is crucial to music education for our small, rural, school music program. Yet, the rising costs of a driver, a bus, and lodging (for some trips) can make an incredible learning opportunity inaccessible. This reality, coupled with the district’s budget restructuring, means that our music teachers may have hard choices for which trips are feasible and who should attend. These experiences motivate and inspire music students, and we are committed to meeting this need.
We hope you will consider a donation to MAG, when and if you are able. Your support and participation have helped sustain and grow the Orcas Island school music program for over 20 years. THANK YOU!
Save the date: MAG Benefit Concert returns
Join us on Sunday, March 3, at 3 PM at the OIHS gym for live music and refreshments in support of the public school music program.
After a three-year hiatus, the MAG Benefit Concert returns this spring with performances by beloved local musical groups and Orcas Island High School (OIHS) band and strings musicians. This island tradition is one of our primary fundraisers. Look out for details in the local media.
OIHS band marches in homecoming parade
High school band students led the homecoming parade on October 13, as part of the OIHS Homecoming Annual Chili and Bonfire event. The fledgling marching band then hopped onstage at the Village Green to entertain the crowd with a collection of pep tunes.
OIHS grad joins UW Husky Marching Band
Congratulations to 2023 graduate Paxton White, who has joined the UW Husky Marching Band, a deciding factor in his acceptance to the university. White played tuba throughout his time at OIHS. “School music provides a place to come together with friends to do something we all enjoy,” he said.
Freshman violinist headed to New York, London
Lamai Hons has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall and the Royal Festival Hall as part of the High School Honors Performance Series. He was part of the Middle School strings group, which received a Gold Performance Award at the American Strings Teachers Association regional festival in 2023. Congratulations Lamai!
Orcas Youth Chorus & JOY Chorus in full swing
The JOY Chorus (2nd-5th grade) and Orcas Youth Chorus (6th-12th grade) are wrapping up their fall session with music to share, so keep your ear out for performances this holiday season. All island youth are welcome to join the spring 2024 season. Sign up at orcasparkandrec.org. This program is co-sponsored by MAG and the Orcas Choral Society.
WATCH: School Music Through the Eyes of a Student
As part of his senior project, 2023 OIHS graduate Ryan Krisch-Derr’s video takes us into the music rooms, showing us how school music matters from the perspective of Orcas Island students. Click image below to view.
Thank you, sponsors!
Thank you to the local businesses that support our Music Student of the Month feature in The Islands’ Sounder. We appreciate you!
Donate today!
To donate to MAG on the Orcas Island Community Foundation website, click on the ‘School Music Matters’ button below.
Or, send your contribution to:
Music Advocacy Group (MAG),
P.O. Box 1171,
Eastsound, WA 98245.
We are a 501(c)(3) organization.
Follow us on social media
2023/2024 Concerts*
Nov. 9
5th-12th grade band & elementary choir at Veterans Day Observance,
OIHS courtyard
Dec. 7
5th-8th Grade Winter Concert,
OIHS gym
Dec. 14
HS Band & Strings Winter Concert,
OIHS gym
Mar. 3
MAG School Music Benefit Concert, OIHS gym
Apr. 4
MS & HS Band & Strings
Festival Concert, OIHS gym
May 9
Elementary Concert, OIHS gym
May 23
District Band Concert, OIHS gym
May 30
District Strings Concert,
Orcas Center
Jun. 15
High School Graduation,
OIHS gym
*Dates & locations subject to change. Follow MAG on social media for announcements.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of school music supporters like you, MAG contributed over $31,000 for music education on Orcas Island in the 2022/2023 school year. Here’s how YOU helped:
MAG General Fund
- Doubled the annual OISD music budget
- Purchased a full set of timpani through the OICF GiveOrcas Holiday campaign
- Covered expenses for the OIHS band to attend the PLU Band Invitational
Joyce Burghardt Excellence in Music Fund
- Co-funded the Orcas Youth Chorus and JOY Chorus with the Orcas Choral Society
- Funded annual subscription fees for music practice software that OIHS students use
- Funded grants for students traveling to events like the Western International Band Clinic, PLU Honor Band, and WMEA All-State Honor Band Ensemble
Music Advocacy Group 