Athena’s love for playing the viola comes through clearly when she talks about playing music and she brings her enthusiasm to class as Strings Director Pamela Wright attests. Reflecting on the value of regular practice, Athena shared that she could not read music when she first started learning the viola three years ago; now she … More March 2021 Music Student of the Month – Athena Moore
Mila, a cellist in her sophomore year, is a go-getter in the Strings program. She chose to learn the cello in 8th grade because some of her favorite pieces were written for the instrument. She enjoys practicing and finds is very rewarding when a piece she has worked hard on starts to sound like it … More January 2021 Music Student of the Month – Mila Marinova
Kai was one of two students selected by audition to play at Carnegie Hall last February. Traveling to play with different student groups has been one of the best perks of playing music. Kai has wise words for why we should all keep practicing even when we don’t feel motivated. Congratulations on being recognized September … More September 2020 Music Student of the Month – Kai Ross
Be sure to catch him and the High School Orchestra perform at the Orcas Center on Thursday Dec 12, at 7pm. Go for it, Christian! … More November 2019 Music Student of the Month – Christian Heisinger
Since first grade, Katie knew that the violin would be the instrument of her choice and it is still the instrument she turns to whenever she is feeling bored or sad. She has some wise words for beginning strings students below. Congratulations Katie, we love your attitude to learning music! It will be rough when … More October 2019 Music Student of the Month – Katie Spinogatti
Hello from MAG! The school music program started on a high note with the highly anticipated Multi-purpose Music Room ready for students. Final touches are still being made, and there are many needs, but the excitement felt as each class walked in for the first time has been infectious. String students have more elbow room … More Fall 2019 – Back to School Music
Silas is a multi-instrumentalist who can play both band and strings instruments — a rare skillset at middle school age. He is learning the bass now and his Strings teacher says she’s ‘super excited’ that he is in the program. Well, MAG is pretty excited to watch this young one develop his talent in the … More May 2019 Music Student of the Month – Silas Kok
It’s only his first year in Band but 5th-grader Royce Tye already dreams of playing all his favorite songs. In a heartwarming twist, he already has his own trumpet that has been in the family for almost a century. What a fantastic start! Congratulations on being April’s Student Musician of the Month, we can’t wait … More April 2019 Music Student of the Month – Royce Tye
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
6th grader Lillian is in tuned with how music can change her mood. This girl loves listening to hip-hop but she’s just as serious about learning to play the violin at school. “I like the harmonies. I like how it’s peaceful. It makes me feel calm.” Orcas Middle School Strings member Lillian Hodges Strings Director … More Mar 2019 Music Student of the Month – Lillian Hodges
