Category: Band

March 2022 Music Student of the Month – Toribio Quintero 

April 4, 2022

We are thrilled that public school music students are, once again, participating in off-island, in-person, competitions and performing with peers across the state. You make us proud, Tori! Congratulations on being March’s Music Student of the Month in 2022! The Music Student of the Month series recognizes Orcas Island Public School musicians who work hard … More March 2022 Music Student of the Month – Toribio Quintero 

February 2022 Music Student of the Month – Cathy Hall

April 4, 2022

Fantastic to hear a young musician sharing her knowledge. Your enthusiasm is infectious, Cathy! Congratulations on being February’s Music Student of the Month in 2022! The Music Student of the Month series recognizes Orcas Island Public School musicians who work hard at their musical skills and whose love of music is an inspiration to their … More February 2022 Music Student of the Month – Cathy Hall

January 2022 Music Student of the Month – Kristian Freeman

February 10, 2022

Fun and community are two enduring reasons that make music-making a lifelong passion for many adults. Thank you, Kristian, for sharing how learning music is enriching you both personally and socially. Congratulations on being the first Music Student of the Month in 2022! The Music Student of the Month series recognizes Orcas Island Public School … More January 2022 Music Student of the Month – Kristian Freeman

December 2021 Music Student of the Month – Cooper Maddux

February 1, 2022

Keep up the great work, Cooper! Congratulations on being recognized by your teacher as the December 2021 Music Student of the Month. The Music Student of the Month series recognizes Orcas Island Public School musicians who work hard at their musical skills and whose love of music is an inspiration to their fellow student musicians. … More December 2021 Music Student of the Month – Cooper Maddux

Public school music program needs chair carts for daily use — GiveOrcas Holiday Campaign 2021

December 1, 2021

Orcas Island Music Advocacy Group (MAG) is helping to raise money for 4 steel carts to safely stack, move, store and protect the 80 or so music chairs used daily by 5th-12th grade music students for practice and performance in the public school. These storage carts will keep large stacks of chairs stable, freeing up … More Public school music program needs chair carts for daily use — GiveOrcas Holiday Campaign 2021

2021 Fall School Music News

November 2, 2021

Hello from MAG! School music has started, in-person, at Orcas public schools. Hooray! The high school band even performed ‘live’ at the Homecoming week bonfire on the Village Green on October 8th. Holiday concerts are being planned, albeit only open to families at this time. This year, there are 116 students in Band and Strings … More 2021 Fall School Music News

October 2021 Music Student of the Month – Paxton White

November 2, 2021

A junior at Orcas high school, Paxton packs a busy daily schedule that starts with zero-hour band class and ends with after-school sports, often with away games that end with a late ferry ride home.  With all he has going on, he still brings enthusiasm to the band with his tuba playing!  We love his … More October 2021 Music Student of the Month – Paxton White

February 2021 Music Student of the Month – Henry Walker

March 30, 2021

Henry, an 8th grader, has been playing percussion since 5th grade, and now finds himself tapping out a tempo quite naturally.  His advice for new or hesitant students is simply to not overthink it because playing music is fun.  Nevertheless, Band Director Darren Dix has noted Henry’s effort at pushing himself musically throughout the virtual … More February 2021 Music Student of the Month – Henry Walker

December 2020 Music Student of the Month – Molly Johnston

January 5, 2021

Our music students never cease to inspire us!  5th grader Molly Johnston started learning the trumpet in the middle of the pandemic, when band class at school was only taking place online.  In the face of the challenges of beginning a new instrument and navigating online classes, Molly has remained enthusiastic and makes the effort … More December 2020 Music Student of the Month – Molly Johnston