Category: Concert

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

Senior Student Projects That Are Giving Back Through Music

May 1, 2019

Three graduating seniors at Orcas Island High School have each embarked on a musically-focused senior project as their way to give back to the music-loving Orcas community that has supported their musical development while at the public school. Dishwashing to opera music  Luke Pietsch was first introduced to opera fortuitously, while working as a dishwasher … More Senior Student Projects That Are Giving Back Through Music

Orcas Band Students Attend Seattle Opera

February 16, 2019

Orcas High School Band students enjoyed an unforgettable night at the opera on January 26.  A dozen excited student musicians, accompanied by Band Director Darren Dix and parent chaperones, made the trip to watch Seattle Opera’s last-night performance of Il Trovatore, Verdi’s masterpiece of love, passion and revenge, set during a time of Civil War. … More Orcas Band Students Attend Seattle Opera

December 2018 Music Student of the Month – Moose Kinsey

January 8, 2019

Moose has been playing the cello for five years and continues to get a thrill out of learning to play a piece.  It’s a privilege to see our young musicians develop. Congratulations Moose for being recognized as our December 2018 student musician! “Whatever language people speak, they understand you when you play music.” says Orcas … More December 2018 Music Student of the Month – Moose Kinsey

November 2018 Music Student of the Month -Elijah Giampietro

December 3, 2018

Elijah is the only bassoon player in the middle school band and took on the challenge of switching from learning to play the clarinet just this year. Come watch Elijah and fellow musicians from 5th-8th grade Band and Strings in their Holiday Concert on Thursday, Dec 6 at 7pm in the High School Gym.  All … More November 2018 Music Student of the Month -Elijah Giampietro

School Music Wraps Up A Notable Year – Over $19,000 in funding from MAG

September 12, 2018

The Orcas School music program bids farewell to two graduating seniors this year, a Band percussionist, Liam Griskey-Watson, and Strings violinist, Joanne Mietzner.   Both have been stellar musicians.  Joanne played in the San Juan Music Educators Association (SJMEA) Senior Honor Orchestra.  She also played in the Orcas High School Strings group that won first … More School Music Wraps Up A Notable Year – Over $19,000 in funding from MAG

Orcas Community Once Again Demonstrates Strong Support for School Music

March 29, 2018

— from Miriam Ziegler, President, Music Advocacy Group – On Sunday March 4, the Orcas community enjoyed a real musical treat, the 21st Annual Music Advocacy Group Benefit Concert.  The School’s Old Gym was filled to capacity. An audience member commented, “This MAG Concert is my favorite concert of the year, and I attend a … More Orcas Community Once Again Demonstrates Strong Support for School Music