A String of Awards for Orcas School Musicians

Orcas School Music Students Enhance Their Reputation for Excellence

— from Kristen Wilson —

One of the premier high school string ensembles in Northwest Washington is right here on Orcas Island. They proved it first in January when they were awarded the top place among all large string ensembles performing at the San Juan Music Educators Association (SJMEA) Solo/Ensemble Contest in Bellingham. (They were ineligible to represent our region at state, only because the Orcas H.S. Strings include a student from middle school, and according to SJMEA regulations all students must be in grades 9 to 12.)

Now comes the news that the Orcas High School Strings received the highest overall rating among all groups participating at the SJMEA Large Groups Orchestra Contest at Western Washington University in Bellingham on March 26. This was followed the next day by the highly rated performances of the Orcas 5th and 6th Grade Strings and the Orcas Middle School Strings.

This is the fourth year the Orcas High School Strings have participated in the contest at WWU. And this is the third year in a row they brought home “superior” ratings, which are the highest rating you can receive in a music contest. But this year they brought home an extra honor. Orcas High School Strings, under the direction of Pamela Wright, received the highest overall rating among the 13 groups competing at the contest; they were the only group to receive a I+ rating. Their score in points was slightly below just one other school, but judges consider additional factors when awarding their overall ratings. Orcas Island was the only Class B school competing among 12 other AA or AAA schools, and Orcas Island does not require an audition to perform in the group, versus other larger schools who do audition. Not to mention, the Orcas group was the only group of musicians who had to get up at 4:30 in the morning to catch a school bus and head for the early ferry!

To those Orcas Islanders who have had the pleasure of attending the Orcas High School Strings concerts, this news will come as no surprise. For some first-time fans, their “standing-ovation” performance of Gustav Holst’s St. Paul’s Suite for String Orchestra at the recent MAG concert was a “sit-up-and-take-notice” moment. And certainly all can agree, we are fortunate to have such dedicated and accomplished musicians representing our school and community.

“The Large Groups Orchestra Contest is a little different from other contests in that the groups must perform several pieces, and they are then judged on their entire performance,” said Wright. “Our Orcas group chose the additional challenge of playing without a conductor.” Orcas High School Strings performed Habanera from “Carmen” by Georges Bizet, Sospiri by Edward Elgar, and Scherzo from Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, “Eroica.” Judges comments included, “First rate!” “Very polished performance!” “Excellent sound for the entire ensemble!” Members of the High School Strings include: Emilia Carter, Lisa Carter, Michael Chesher, Brigid Ehrmantraut, Michael Harlow, Anthony Kaskurs, Wylie Kau, Enzo Thixton, Emily Toombs, Zach Waage, and Paris Wilson. For this competition they also had the addition of Kayleigh Horton on tympani.

The following day, on Thursday, March 27, the 5th to 8th grade string players and director Pamela Wright headed to Whatcom Middle school in Bellingham for the San Juan Music Educators Association Jr. Orchestra Festival. This was the second year the young Orcas musicians attended this Festival. The Orcas 5th-6th grade group performed Allegro by Shinichi Suzuki and Minuet by Telemann, and received a I- or “superior” rating from the judge. Members of the group who performed included: Skylar Dalusio, Lilia Greening, Izabela Janecek, Sydney Johnson, Alexandra Marney, Astasia Monahan, Taylor Wesolek, and Miette Woolworth. The Middle School Strings performed Hatikvah Fantasia by Elliot Del Borgo and To a Wild Rose by Edward MacDowell and received a I+ rating from the judge. Members of their group who performed included: Kupono Anuenue, Olivia Brunner-Gaydos, Alyssa Johns, Amelia Kau, Ronan Kau, Kristian Litch, Joanne Mietzner, Katarina Schiller, and Nathan Smith.

One judge who saw both the Orcas Middle School and High School Strings groups play said she was “really impressed with the chamber technique of the Orcas students.”

“This ability to trade-off leadership, cue each other, and play as a tight group will allow them to play in any kind of ensemble throughout their lives,” added Wright.

Northwest-area judges and schools are taking notice of the Orcas program. “What you’re doing with your string players is amazing!” This comment from one judge to director Pamela Wright is typical of what she hears. Other colleagues and teachers in the region have been very supportive and are seeking out Orcas to work with our students. On April 24 and 25th the entire Squalicum Orchestra (50 students plus 10 chaperones) will be coming to Orcas Island to work with the Orcas Youth Orchestra, which is comprised of our band and string students.