— from Joyce Stone —
Anita Orne, new Executive Director of Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival, with Aloysia Friedmann, founder and artistic director, and Sam Coleman, Board President of the Festival
You know her as a musician, teacher, program director, Board member, emcee, artist and more. Now you’ll know Anita Orne as Executive Director of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. Beginning March 8th, Anita will work with OICMF Board members, Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann, staff, volunteers, donors and patrons to maintain the Festival’s strong tradition of musical excellence, music education and Anita knows the Orcas Island Chamber Festival from the inside out.
She has served on the Festival’s Board of Trustees for six years. Since 2000, Anita has also videotaped every concert during the Summer Festival to ensure a magnificent archival history. And she’s been one of the dedicated Pied Pipers at Orcas preschools, a program developed by the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival to introduce young ones to the wondrous world of music.
“We are extraordinarily pleased that one of our own OICMF family members will be assuming such an important role with such complementary skills and knowledge,” said Board President Sam Coleman. “Anita comes to us with leadership experience and a multitude of innumerable talents that will blend well with both her personal passions and OICMF’s desire to maintain our organization at the highest level.”
Anita’s impact is felt on Shaw Island, too, where she is Music Director of the Shaw Island School District. She works with their community to promote music and music education, and her role there will continue, in addition to her Executive Director responsibilities.
Since her move to Orcas in the late 1980s, Anita has served on many boards and committees. You’ll find her singing and playing everything from the guitar, bass and banjo – to mandolin, ukulele and saw – as a member of three music groups: JP and the OK Rhythm Boys, The Olga Symphony, and Mandy Troxel and the Bitter Ends. But not to worry. Anita’s new role as Executive Director won’t stop her from entertaining the community in her spare time!
Congratulations to Anita and the OICMF!!!
Terrific choice!
Great choice! Anita is perfect for the job.
Wonderful news fof OICMF, Anita, and Orcas!!
I join the chorus of cheers for selecting Anita! I think she will be a great asset to OICMF. She certainly has the wardrobe for those fancy events.
Congratulations to Anita and to OICMF! It’s a big job and a huge challenge, and I know you have the talent and skills to make it work, Anita. It is so exciting to look forward to all that you will bring to the Festival and all its components. Best wishes to all!
Congratulations OICMF for your wonderful choice in Executive Director.Thank you Anita for your gift to us in leadership. Wonderful news!
Wow, thanks everyone! Looking forward to seeing you all at as many of the wonderful musical events this great island has to offer in the weeks, months, and years ahead! Here’s to the music!
What a great choice all the way around! Thank you OICMF and Anita. One of the island’s own!
As you can see from the above. The entire island Congratulates you Anita. A great compliment to your many skills, passions and love of Orcas Island. We, the Board of Directors of the OICMF, share the entire islands excitement and wish you the very best!
Yes!
Bravas from Lopez as well, as we are honored to host one day of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival each season with enthusiasm and joy. Lopez loves Anita, and now we know we will see her again in August! A SUPERB choice for ED!
What a joy it will be to see you in this role as well, Anita! You’ve always been a gift to the folks who know you, and now you’ll just be a bigger gift for more people. Your competence and knowledge are suited to the job–yay to the board for choosing you and to you for accepting the challenge!!
Terrific choice!
Wise choice!