Letter to the Editor: Chamber Music Festival Concert Hits a High Note

Jackie (Captain Kirk) Parker (with Orion Weiss at the piano) at the "Leaves of Gold" concert. Photo courtesy of Kurt Thorson.

When four world-class pianists sit down to two grand pianos, you know it’s going to be one exciting event.  The Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s “Leaves of Gold” Concert on October 25^th left audience members amazed.

Jon Kimura Parker, Anna Polonsky, Adam Stern and Orion Weiss performed masterpieces from Mozart, Copland, Wagner, Rachmaninoff and more in four-hand and eight-hand combinations.  And the encore was out of this world!  Jackie Parker donned an authentic Captain Kirk jacket and unveiled bongo drums to perform a “Star Trek” medley.

We’d like to thank Chamber Music Festival patrons for their generosity.  The event was very successful and will help support OICMF concert programming and music in the schools.  Of special note:  during the post-concert Auction, patrons were given the opportunity to fund specific music education needs in Orcas public schools and pre-schools.  Donors could choose to help purchase instruments, music and supplies through OICMF.  Or to support the Chamber Music Festival’s Musician-in Residence program, Technique Coach for Strings or Young Musician’s Award.  Dozens of patrons raised their hands in a wonderful show of support.

Also, fifteen students were able to attend the concert, along with their parents and teachers, thanks to donor underwriting.  It was obvious these young Orcas Island musicians and their families were excited to be invited and thrilled to attend.

From the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival