Marianne Lewis Jumps in as Orcas Choral Society Director

— from Lynn Baker —

Marianne Lewis at the organ, Emmanuel Church, Eastsound.

Summer’s here, with barbeques, the farmers’ market, kids leaping into Cascade Lake. And, as the Orcas Choral Society interim director, Marianne Lewis is listening to Christmas music.

“I hope to put together a mix of cheery, beautiful holiday and winter pieces for our December concert,” Lewis said. “I want people to enjoy performing, and I hope everyone finds a few pieces they fall in love with.”

Anyone interested in the Choral Society can talk to current members, go to www.orcaschoralsociety.org or contact Lewis at mariannelewis@centurylink.net. “Or just come to the first rehearsal and see what it’s like,” she said. Rehearsals start September 13, 7 p.m., at the Orcas Center.

“We’ll use local instrumental musicians,” for the December concert, Lewis noted. “We’re very lucky that we have such a wide range of talented musicians on Orcas.”

Lewis, a successful organist, harpsichordist and choral director, is choirmaster and organist at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Eastsound. She previously served as choir director and organist at St. James Lutheran Church, Portland, and Milwaukie Lutheran Church in Oregon. Lewis also accompanied Portland’s Oregon Repertory Singers. She holds music degrees from Lewis and Clark College and University of Oregon.

“I’m basically an instrumentalist,” Lewis said. “But, if I were stranded on a desert island and could have only one kind of music, it would be choral music. Choral music touches the soul in a different way, perhaps because we make it with our own bodies.”

Lewis first came to Orcas on her honeymoon. “Carl, my husband, has spent time in the San Juans since he was very little,” she recalled. “On our honeymoon, we came by ferry. Soon after, we sailed up from Portland.” They bought their home in Rosario Palisades in 1998. Marianne has been a full-time Orcas resident for two years. Carl will retire from his career in corporate law this fall and shift his focus, too, to the island. He sings tenor.

Roger Sherman led the Choral Society for the last six years. “I want to continue Roger’s work and keep our high-quality community choir singing great music,” Lewis said. “I hope I can help the group become better singers and grow a bit.”

“Being part of a music group can bring people joy and a sense of community. There’s something about singing together, it’s almost an organic connection,” Lewis said.