Thursday, June 1, 7 p.m., Orcas High School Gym
— from Sharon Ho for Music Advocacy Group —
Riding horses into the wind or frolicking in the forest, the All Band Concert this coming Thursday, June 1 will have music to conjure these summer dreams. A total of 59 young musicians from 5th to 12th grade Band will entertain the public at the High School Gym at 7 p.m. The concert is free and open to all ages.
Band Director Darren Dix is excited to put together an All-Band concert, a first such line-up since he joined the Orcas Island School District in 2013. The concert is part of the school district’s thriving music program.
“I will be showcasing our 6-8th grade group that meets once a week as part of the 6th grade integration to Middle School, and a 8-12th group to show what the High Show band could be next year.”
Graduating senior Devon Mann, who plays the trumpet, will perform with the High School band once more before heading off to college.
“Each group is playing a piece that has challenging concepts that they have had to conquer,” Dix said, making note that his students have worked hard and put in hours of practice both in school and at home.
The highlight of the program is a delightful piece called “My Neighbor Totoro.” The score is from a critically acclaimed 1988 animated film, set in rural Japan, about the magical relationship between a pair of sisters and a massive, fluffy, flying forest spirit. The film is scored by Joe Hisaishi, a prolific Japanese composer. Hisaishi is often compared to American composer John Williams, the man behind the “Star Wars” theme and the film scores of many Hollywood productions.
This performance is all the more special because the music score for “My Neighbor Totoro” is a gift from master percussionist Miho Takekawa of Miho and Diego Duo. The pair of musicians worked with Orcas Island High School and Middle School bands as part of Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s Musicians-in-Residence program in March this year. Miho graduated from Kunitachi School of Music in her native Japan, the alma mater of Hisaishi.
The concert program will also feature crowd-pleasing favorites like “Phantasm” by Sean O’Loughlin, and the “Finale of the William Tell Overture” by Rossini, from the William Tell opera that premiered in Paris in 1829. The latter is iconized in pop culture as the “Lone Ranger” theme song.
“HS Band received a Superior rating at Contest, and has been highly praised by fellow students and band directors in the region. We had an alternate to state for a horn solo, as well as seven students participating in four different honor groups throughout the year,” Dix added.
So, to quote a line from the lead character, Mei, from the movie “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Come out, come out, wherever you are.”
I can’t wait to hear and see this concert! I hope we pack the gym and show all kinds of support for these student musicians and Mr. Dix. I still remember how important these school concerts were for me, 50 to 60 years ago, and I guarantee you that nothing else from my junior- and senior-high experiences gives the present day me more joy than making music with others. Please join me when I attend this event!