Tuesday February 11, 6 p.m., Community Church
— from Kristen Wilson —
Funds raised will enable students to perform at Disneyland
The Orcas High School Strings, one of Northwest Washington’s highest rated high school music ensembles, has been invited to perform on the main stage at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California in May. But first they are hoping to raise some money to help them make the trip.
To raise money for the trip, the High School Strings players will present a concert and a complete Italian dinner (pasta with selection of sauces, green salad, island-baked bread, cake and ice cream) on Tuesday evening, February 11 at the Community Church in Eastsound. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. in the basement of the Community Church, and the concert will begin at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. Tickets are available at the Orcas Elementary School, Darvill’s and Orcas Island Realty. Dinner tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students, and include admission to the concert. Concert only tickets are $8.
“The Disneyland performance and workshop represent a recognition of the achievements of our musicians and our growth as an ensemble, but to make this trip happen for everyone, we need to raise some money, and that’s why we’re putting on this concert and dinner,” said Pamela Wright, Music Director. Donors and families of students are paying for much of the trip themselves. In addition, the Music Advocacy Group has offered to provide up to $2,000, matching any funds the students raise themselves for the trip. Hence, the students have arranged this concert and dinner.
“The trip will involve a lot of work, and some fun, too,” added Wright. “The kids will be working hard behind-the-scenes in rehearsals and workshops to prepare for their performance, but they’ll also have some time to enjoy the park.”
“We have an amazing group of dedicated musicians in the Orcas High School Strings,” said Wright, “If you’ve never heard them play before then you are in for a treat, and this is the perfect opportunity.”
High School Strings players get up early every morning, Monday through Friday, to arrive at school at 7:20 a.m. to rehearse for an hour before the start of the normal school day. The players include: Emilia Carter, Lisa Carter, Michael Chesher, Brigid Ehrmantraut, Michael Harlow, Anthony Kaskurs, Wylie Kau, Enzo Thixton, Emily Toombs, Zach Waage, and Paris Wilson. Percussionist Jo Gudgell from the High School Band will also be taking part in the fundraiser and Disneyland performance.
The Orcas students will be traveling with the Sedro-Woolley High School string students who have made this trip before. Both schools got together in Anacortes last December 15 to record their audition music for Disneyland. The trip will take place from May 17th – 20th, 2014.
Just have to say, THIS IS AWESOME! Congratulations, Orcas High School Strings! What a fabulous accomplishment! And also congratulations to the teachers, parents – all who supported and guided these young people so well and with such commitment! I hope someone will be documenting this! It’s not so much your being invited to play at Disneyland that is what I find wonderful, but that you worked together consistently, over time, to create a very high level of musical mastery! That, I repeat, is AWESOME!
I know I am their teacher, and I might be partial, but if you have not yet heard these young musicians, you are missing out! I do not say this lightly. I guarantee that this concert will be the talk of the town on Wednesday. Students will be playing many pieces, some of them will be from our solo and ensemble contest pieces that received a “superior” rating and has one of our students as 2nd alternate going to State competition!