Martin Lund conducts the student orchestra at the Music Advocacy Group concert last year. Photo courtesy of Pat Hunt

Updated Feb. 29 at 4 p.m.

Sunday, March 4 at 3 p.m., Orcas  Middle School Gym

From the Music Advocacy Group

The15th Anniversary of the Annual School Benefit Concert, presented by the Music Advocacy Group (MAG) takes place this Sunday, March 4, at 3 p.m. at the Orcas Island Middle School Gym.

Each year the Music Advocacy Group (MAG) enjoys this opportunity to bring together our very talented island musicians and all of our community members in welcoming Spring with magnificent music.  This year marks the 15th Anniversary of this great island tradition. An special award will be announced at the concert this Sunday.

MAG  is a voluntary, non-profit organization which works to support and augment the music program of the Orcas Island Public Schools. Donations from MAG members and raised from the annual concert allow MAG to help assure the continuance of public school music education programs through MAG funding and advocacy. MAG’s goal is to help support our public school music teachers as they instill in our children a life-time interest in and appreciation for music.

Our concert this year includes as participants over 100 adult island musicians who are members of the Island Sinfonia, the Orcas Choral Society and the Orcas Island Community Band – all on-going, volunteer music groups. These adults make the statement that “music is a lifetime sport”, demonstrating that music can bring enjoyment throughout one’s life.  They are joined this year by two advanced student ensembles selected by the OISD music teachers.  The talent of these young musicians is inspiring and demonstrates the significant benefit gained by our community by your on-going contributions to MAG and our OISD music programs.

Long-time MAG Board member Marilyn Anderson says, “”We believe this concert will show the tremendous improvement that the students have made this year. It showed at the high school concert at Orcas Center, and I hope people will come to the concert this Sunday.”

This annual event is admission by donation.