For the month of March, the Music Advocacy Group is collaborating with the school district, the Orcas Library and Darvill’s bookstore to mark Music In Our Schools Month®, with the goalof raising awareness of the importance of music education in our schools for all students. There will be displays of recommended children’s books, a recognition of Music Students of the Month from March 2022 to February 2023 in Darvill’s storefront and in the public school, and a lucky draw contest for K-12 students in the public school library with exciting gift card prizes.

Music competitions and festival performances are filling up the school music calendar at full throttle in 2023. On 10th March, 7th and 8th grade string students will compete in the American String Teachers Association contest at Western Washington University and the high school band will leave for the Pacific Lutheran University Band Invitational. Orcas student musicians will participate in several more regional competitions from 22nd to 28th March. Elementary 5th grade students have their own exciting trip in mid-March and will be heading to Benaroya Hall to listen and play along with the Seattle Symphony. These trips are transformative for many students. The chance to perform with and compete against student musicians from schools across the region motivates practice and encourages teamwork to achieve the best sound and, in the process, friendships and lasting memories are forged.

Music performances will be popping up in school, as well. The March elementary lunchtime concert will feature Oliver Groenewald, a music educator and accomplished musician, while band and string students will entertain at the elementary school assembly at the end of the month.

Join in the celebration of music education by sharing with your family your best memories of participating in a school choir or orchestra.