Orcas Musicians Perform at North Sound Honor Festival

— by Kristen Wilson for Music Advocacy Group (MAG) —

NIne Orcas musicians played in the North Sound Honor Band

Nine musicians from Orcas High School’s Strings and Band Classes attended this year’s North Sound Honor Festival on November 3. Presented by the San Juan Music Educators Association, the Festival hosted some of the top musicians (245 students from 16 northwest area high schools) at an all-day rehearsal, concluding with a concert by choir, orchestra and band at Blaine School’s 756-seat Performing Arts Center.

When the conductors walked on stage at the Blaine Performing Arts Center, they spoke of their gratitude – for the music teachers who work with the students all during the school year, for the parents who support the students with their encouragement and attendance – but especially for the students who have practiced hard to get where they are. “Tonight, on this stage, we have musicians from 16 high schools all working together to produce a single work of art,” said the orchestra conductor. “Where else will you find that?”

“Events such as this,” said the band conductor, “only happen once. It’s one day that will never be repeated in any of our lives. So I thank the educators for asking me to be a part of this special day.”

Representing Orcas Island in the Senior Honor Orchestra were eight musicians from Pamela Wright’s High School Strings class: violinists Emy Carter, Michael Harlow, Emily Toombs and Paris Wilson; violists Michael Chesher and Zach Waage; cellist Wylie Kau; and pianist Lisa Carter. Orcas High School Teacher and pianist Beth Rainey also performed with the orchestra.

The Orcas String students were full of praise for their dynamic guest conductor, Wesley Schulz. Schulz is the Conducting Fellow and assists Music Director Ludovic Morlot at the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Schulz is also Music Director of the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Festival Orchestra and the Bainbridge Island Youth Orchestra.

The Orchestra performed Bach’s instantly recognizable “The Little Fugue in G Minor,” “Andante Festivo” by Jean Sebelius, the familiar “Downton Abbey” theme by John Lunn, “Concerto Grosso No. 1 – Prelude” by Bloch and “Pictures of Puget Sound” by Silva. The latter work was commissioned by the conductor who said that this was only the second time the piece had been performed publicly. The Orcas music program was honored by the selection of violinist Paris Wilson as Section Principal in the second violin section for the 46-member orchestra. Congratulations also go to Orcas Strings Director Pamela Wright who served as the Festival’s Honor Orchestra Coordinator.

Alto saxophonist Kaya Osborn from Darren Dix’s High School Band class performed with the 100-member Senior Honor Band, conducted by Gerard Morris. Morris is Director of Bands and Assistant Professor at the University of Puget Sound School of Music. He has a Doctor of Music degree in conducting from Northwestern University.

The Honor Band performed the bold and fiery “American Fanfare” by John Wasson, which was originally composed for performance by the Dallas Brass. The program also included Andrew Boysen’s challenging “Unraveling,” “Sun Dance” by Frank Ticheli, and the haunting “Symphonic Prelude” by Mark Camphouse honoring soldiers buried at the Normandy American Cemetery.

A 101-member Honor Choir performed five selections, and they were quite amazing, according to Wright. “We did not have any Orcas choir students there this year,” said Wright, “but we are working on making that happen in the future.” The choir conductor was Timothy Black, a celebrated international music educator.

Cellist Anthony Kaskurs and trombonist Kahana Pietsch were also selected for the festival, but were unable to attend.