MAG Group Can't Wait to Fill the Gym with Tunes and Fans

Sunday, March 6, 3 p.m., Old Gym

— from Kristen Wilson —

The Music Advocacy Group’s (MAG) 19th annual benefit concert will bring adult and student Orcas Island musicians together in support of school music on Sunday, March 6, at 3 p.m. It is the single largest music concert on Orcas Island, with more than 100 musicians performing. Every year they come together to volunteer their time and musical talent to support one great cause: The Orcas School Music Program. The concert will take place in the Old Gym at the Orcas public school.

“All the money we take in at this concert is devoted to supporting the school music program,” said Catherine Pederson, President of MAG. “Thanks to the donations we receive at this annual concert, as well as other contributions from generous community members, MAG was able to donate close to $20,000 to the school music program just in the past two years alone.”

MAG purchased 35 new ukuleles for 3rd and 4th graders at Orcas School, for example. They also purchased a new Adams xylophone for use by musicians from 3rd grade through high school, two new small cellos, orchestral sheet music, and a set of tenor drums for pep band. They helped to offset expenses for a performance trip to Disneyland, paid for travel and registration expenses for continuing education for both of our teachers, paid for Orcas Center rental for concerts, and covered the costs of many bus trips for students from middle school through high school to attend multiple music competitions off-island.

The March 6 concert will feature performances by Orcas Choral Society, Island Sinfonia, Orcas Island Community Band, and Orcas Public School musicians. Orcas Choral Society singers and Artistic Director Roger Sherman always fill the auditorium with their beautiful voices. This year they will sing the “Kyrie” from Franz Schubert’s Mass in G Major and I Hear America Singing by Andre Thomas. And keep your ears alert for a lighthearted surprise.

Island Sinfonia, led by Music Director Jim Shaffer-Bauck, will play “Fanfare” pour précéder La Péri by Paul Dukas, “Pavanne” from Symphonette No. 2 by Morton Gould, “Vivace” from Concerto in E-flat Major by G. Friedrich Händel and John Henry by Aaron Copland.

The Orcas Island Community Band, with Conductors Jim Shaffer-Bauck and Karen Speck, will play four selections: “Farandole” from L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2 by Georges Bizet, The Typewriter by Leroy Anderson, Galop by Gary P. Gilroy, and Pennsylvania Polka by Lester Zee and Zeke Manners.

Some of the beneficiaries of this concert, our Orcas High School musicians, will also perform under the direction of Pamela Wright, Strings, and Darren Dix, Band. The Band will play Green Onions, arranged by Tom Wallace, as well as “Country Gardens” and “Irish Tune from County Derry” from A Percy Grainger Suite.

Finally, all groups will participate when Roger Sherman conducts the rousing finale, God Bless America.

“We hope to fill the entire school gym for this concert,” said Catherine Pederson, President of MAG. “Thanks to the community’s support, the MAG concert has become an island tradition. The whole community joins forces, and by their attendance they are saying, ‘School Music Matters!’ In December a new federal education law was passed which clearly articulates that music should be a part of every child’s education, no matter their personal circumstance. This is something that the Music Advocacy Group has fought for from day one, and we are glad that the our government agrees that music as a stand-alone subject is part of a well-rounded education.”

“We rely on the funds from this concert to help us continue to build a strong school music program,” said Jan Ehrlichman, MAG board member. “And the program is working. This year our High School Band and Strings doubled in size. That means twice as many students are coming in at 7:20 in the morning to make music at our school. Our young band and string musicians, competing at regional contests with much larger schools, bring home stacks of ‘Superior’ and ‘Excellent’ certificates awarded by judges after every contest. Just last month, the Orcas High School Strings were awarded the third highest number of points at a contest with high schools from Bellingham and other Northwest Washington cities.”

Everyone is invited to stay following the concert for a reception, coordinated by Susan Gudgell and Lynn White, in the Orcas School’s new cafeteria space. Admission to the concert is by donation, and every person attending will be presented with a “School Music Matters” lapel button. Be sure to get yours as you walk in the door. All proceeds go to MAG, a 501(c)(3) organization whose sole purpose is to support and augment the music program of the Orcas Island public schools. “I’m happy to report that we’re already receiving donations,” said Joyce Burghardt, MAG board member. “We appreciate the community’s support!” Those who cannot attend but wish to donate can make checks payable to “MAG” and mail them to MAG, P.O. Box 1171, Eastsound, WA 98245.