For almost 30 years, MAG has helped sustain and nurture the Orcas Island public school K-12 music program with the generosity and support of the island community. Individual donations are the main source of MAG funds.
In addition to a variety of musical instruments to keep up with the growing number of students, MAG has funded specialized furniture and equipment for the building where the music department is housed, such as a library for musical scores, music stands and chairs, and racks for storing and moving instruments. To meet the wide-ranging demands of teaching a broad range of grades, the two music teachers work with technology tools; MAG has equipped the department with Sibelius, a music scoring software program, video editing software, Chromebooks and MakeMusic Cloud software subscriptions.
For its youngest students, the district offers general music and bucket drumming. From 4th to 12th grade, students can learn to play an instrument in band, strings or mariachi. MAG helps pay for off-island experiences that expose students to high-level music performances with the goal of inspiring musical excellence. Students regularly take part in regional competitions and have enjoyed trips to Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera and even Carnegie Hall. Take a look at all the musical opportunities made possible through your generosity in ‘School Music News’ on this website.
