School music benefit concert to feature beloved island musicians

||| FROM SHARON HO for MUSIC ADVOCACY GROUP |||

On Sunday, March 2, at 3:00 PM, local musicians and music lovers will gather at the Orcas Island High School gym to celebrate the benefits of music education on Orcas Island.

This annual Orcas Island tradition is a community celebration that will feature performances by local groups, including Turtleback Brass, Orcas Island Community Band, Orcas Choral Society Ensemble, and Orcas Island Public School musicians.

A reception with sweet and savory refreshments will follow the concert. All are welcome to attend.

The Music Advocacy Group (MAG) has advocated for and helped sustain the public-school music program on Orcas Island for over two decades. This year, the school music program supports around 280 K-12 students. The school recently introduced a Mariachi education program at 7:30 AM twice weekly to reach more students.

Why School Music Matters
Multiple studies reinforce the far-reaching benefits of music education, spanning improved cognitive development, better academic performance, lower dropout rates, increased empathy, greater self-discipline, enhanced creativity, and stress relief advantages.

Students note additional benefits. According to sixth grader Paxton Erwin, ”Band helps get me out in front of a crowd and has made me more comfortable presenting in public.”

Freshman strings and Mariachi student Ashley Conejo Medina appreciates the sense of accomplishment and connection that music education brings. She says that playing an instrument can be “…a little challenging, but once you get the hang of it, you get excited to play. Plus, it’s nice to share the connection with everyone else to express yourself!”

In the 2023-2024 school year, MAG contributed $27,780 toward music education. This funding is used to double the annual school music budget, pay for instruments, and cover rising off-island travel costs, enabling students to attend performances, competitions, and other learning experiences crucial to music education. Most recently,
donors partnered with MAG to raise $14,200 via the OICF Holiday GiveOrcas campaign, providing much-needed musical instruments and storage equipment for the school.

All are invited to attend the March 2nd MAG Benefit Concert. Admission is by optional donation, with all proceeds going to the Music Advocacy Group. Donations will be accepted at the door, online at OIMAG.org, or via check payable to the Music Advocacy Group, P.O. Box 1171, Eastsound, WA 98245.

About the Music Advocacy Group
MAG champions and helps sustain the Orcas Island public school music program. MAG is a 501(c) (3) organization that is 100% community funded. School music matters!