May 2025 Music Student of the Month – Carlitos Salan Rodriguez

May 31, 2025

Early access to music education during his elementary school years has given Carlitos the chance to learn the violin from a young age. He credits playing music with giving him a “surge of creativity” and allowing him more room for expression. OISD Strings Director Pamela Wright commended his hard work and commitment to practice, noting that he … More May 2025 Music Student of the Month – Carlitos Salan Rodriguez

April 2025 Music Student of the Month – Jose Coro

May 18, 2025

Making music education available in the public school curriculum, from elementary through high school, gives students the opportunity to explore learning different musical instruments to find the one that they will enjoy. Jose is a great example of a student who was able to try out a different instrument this year. Mr. Dix, the OISD … More April 2025 Music Student of the Month – Jose Coro

Thank You for Celebrating School Music in March

April 23, 2025

“The language of music is common to all generations and nations; it is understood by everybody, since it is understood with the heart.” Gioacchino Rossini The Music Advocacy Group (MAG) offers a heartfelt thank you to the Orcas Island community for their support, collaboration, and participation in our activities as part of March is Music … More Thank You for Celebrating School Music in March

March 2025 Music Student of the Month – Sierra Miller

April 2, 2025

Sierra is new to the beginning strings program at Orcas Island public school but already shines as an enthusiastic and hardworking young musician. To her credit, she was an inaugural participant of the Junior Orcas Youth Chorus. She also has a supportive family that believes in the benefits of learning music. In fact, on a … More March 2025 Music Student of the Month – Sierra Miller

Shop local at these businesses in March to benefit school music

March 6, 2025

From March 1st through 31st, 2025, three iconic Main Street establishments—Darvill’s Bookstore, Pawki’s Pet Store, and New Leaf Café—have pledged to donate 10% of your purchase to Music Advocacy Group (MAG) when you present a promotional certificate or show one on your phones at checkout. Save the promotional image below on your phone and present it … More Shop local at these businesses in March to benefit school music

March 2nd School Music Benefit Concert to Feature Turtleback Brass & Other Beloved Island Musicians

February 20, 2025

On Sunday, March 2nd, at 3:00 PM, local musicians and music lovers will gather at the Orcas Island High School gym to celebrate the benefits of music education on Orcas Island.  This annual Orcas Island tradition is a community celebration that will feature performances by local groups, including Turtleback Brass, Orcas Island Community Band, Orcas … More March 2nd School Music Benefit Concert to Feature Turtleback Brass & Other Beloved Island Musicians

February 2025 Music Student of the Month – Wren Ontjes

February 19, 2025

A saxophonist in the high school band, Wren works diligently to improve her performance skills and one of the things she appreciates about participating in the school music program is getting to travel off-island for competitions to see other bands and hear different levels of playing. Together with fellow high school musicians, Wren is raising … More February 2025 Music Student of the Month – Wren Ontjes

January 2025 Music Student of the Month – Ansley Loock

February 4, 2025

Ansley recognizes that simultaneously being able to listen to her instrument, the sound that her group is making, and the sound produced by all the parts together is an invaluable musical skill; it is a skill that she is already focused on honing through practice and concentration. Her Strings teacher points out that Ansley comes … More January 2025 Music Student of the Month – Ansley Loock

December 2024 Music Student of the Month – Paxton Erwin

January 8, 2025

He may be in 6th grade, but Paxton’s effort to learn more challenging music for trumpet has caught the notice of his band teacher, Mr. Dix. Paxton is quick to recognize that Mr. Dix creates a safe space to make mistakes as part of the journey of learning an instrument. He also credits participation in … More December 2024 Music Student of the Month – Paxton Erwin

November 2024 Music Student of the Month – Ashley Conejo Medina

December 6, 2024

She may be a freshman but Ashley has transitioned comfortably into the high school strings program, having studied the violin in the public school music program since 5th grade. She is also a member of the school’s Mariachi Band. She is particularly excited for the opportunity to learn music that is part of her culture. … More November 2024 Music Student of the Month – Ashley Conejo Medina