— from Sharon Ho —
The sweet chorus of elementary school children’s voices and beautiful selections played by Orcas Island School District Band and Strings groups, and the Orcas Island Community Band, set a moving tone at the Veterans Day Celebration held by the school district last Thursday, November 10, at the High School Gym. It was a wonderful example of school music in community.
A large group of 62 young musicians, comprising of 5th through 12th grade students in band classes, played The Star Spangled Banner during the Presentation of the Colors by the Orcas Island American Legion. Band teacher and High School Band Director Darren Dix saw this as a good opportunity for 5th grade Band students, who only started learning their instruments this school year, to perform with the more experienced High School Band.
Elementary school students, seated front and center on the gym floor between rows of seats reserved for veterans and their families, sang two patriotic songs, In Service Of Our Country by Teresa Jennings, and The Brave by John Reggio. Middle and high school strings students, under the direction of Elementary Music and OISD Strings teacher Pamela Wright, played an uplifting rendition of America The Beautiful by Samuel Augustus Ward.
The music program was rounded out with three rousing marches by John Philip Sousa, played by the Orcas Island Community Band.
As the holiday season approaches, K-12 students are busy rehearsing for three winter concerts, to be presented on the first three Thursdays in December. Save these dates!
Thu December 1st @7pm – Orcas Center
Orcas High School Holiday Concert
Thu December 8th @7pm – Orcas High School Gym
5th through 8th Grade Concert
Thu December 15 @6:30pm – Orcas High School Gym
Elementary School K-4 Concert
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