— from Kristen Wilson —
Western Washington University’s 650-seat Performing Arts Center hosted a performance by students from this year’s San Juan Music Educators Association (SJMEA) Senior Honor Festival on November 11. Nine musicians from Orcas High School’s Strings and Band Classes attended this year’s Festival. Each year SJMEA sponsors this event to bring together musicians from Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan and Island Counties who excel at their instruments and exemplify dedication and commitment to music. Students have the opportunity to rehearse and perform under inspirational guest conductors from the Pacific Northwest, concluding with a concert by orchestra, band and choir.
Representing Orcas Island in the Senior Honor Orchestra were seven musicians from the High School Strings class: violinists Paris Wilson, Joanne Mietzner, Emily Toombs, Nate Smith and Olivia Smith; violist Michael Chesher; and cellist Lilia Greening. Orcas High School Strings teacher Pamela Wright also served as the Honor Orchestra Chairman, making this her 4th year in that role.
This year the Honor Orchestra was directed by Bruce Walker, Assistant Professor of Music at Columbia Basin College and Music Director for the Yakima Youth Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra performed Capriccio No. 1 by Dragan Suplevski, Francesco Barsanti’s Overture in D minor, and Suite: Prelude by Christopher Wilson.
Representing Orcas Island in the Senior Honor Band were Tim Jenson on French horn and Ewan Lister on trumpet from Darren Dix’s High School Band class. They performed with the Senior Honor Band, conducted by Dr. Ed Powell, Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Pacific Lutheran University. The Honor Band program included Simple Gifts by Frank Ticheli, Foundry by John Mackey, Armed Forces Medley arr. Larry Clark and Greg Gilpin, and For the New Day Arisen by Steven Barton.
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