We hope these little stories give you a glimpse of the outstanding musicians the public school music program is nurturing. A belated but heartfelt congratulations to these amazing Orcas Island student musicians—Theo Johnston (April), Natalie Zapeta Arevalon and Ginger Haug (May), and Finn Rubottom (June), who helped us close out the 2021-22 school music program! … More April/May/June 2022 Music Students of the Month
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
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
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
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
As a high school student musician in the Strings program, Silas starts his school day at ‘zero hour’—7:30am, an hour before regular classes begin. In his leisure time, he plays bass guitar, piano, and drums. Wow! Read more about what drives him. Congratulations on being the first Music Student of the Month in the 2021-22 … More September 2021 Music Student of the Month – Silas Kok
A belated but heartfelt congratulations to these amazing Orcas Island middle school musicians—Stella Dillard, Vera Sasan and Lauro Quintero, who helped us close out a highly adapted last quarter of the 2020-21 school music program! And once again, thank you to the generous sponsors of the ’Music Student of the Month’ series! Now that the … More Hooray for April/May/June 2021 Music Students of the Month
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
Music Advocacy Group 