As the 2021-22 school year wraps up, the Music Advocacy Group congratulates Orcas Island School District’s Class of 2022, especially two graduating seniors who have been dedicated student musicians, Kai Ross (Strings) and Willow White (Band). Both seniors share their heartfelt reflections on school music in MAG’s Spring Concert video this year.
Based on the theme “A Day in the Life of School Music”, Orcas Island School District Strings Director, Pamela Wright, and Band Director, Darren Dix, with their students, offer a peek into the progression of music learning and development at school, along with a couple of surprise appearances. The concert video is online at OIMAG.ORG and on the “Orcas Island Music Advocacy Group” YouTube.com channel, using this link https://youtu.be/U2w9v9IhBZo.
“We are deeply grateful to the OISD School Board and Administration for their support of the school music programs, and to both of the music teachers for all their efforts in continuing to grow OISD’s excellent music program, a source of pride for OISD and the Orcas community,” said Miriam Ziegler, MAG’s president.
This year, 2021-2022, has been the first full year of in-person music learning since the beginning of the pandemic, and there has been much excitement and progress as the students enjoyed being together making music. Both music teachers expressed their relief and appreciation for being able to teach music in person and having students practice together regularly.
“All the students have made progress on their instruments. OISD student musicians have also won awards at regional contests and shown excellent musicianship at off-island festivals,” said Mrs. Wright. “These musical experiences have been especially beneficial for morale and commitment to practice,” added Mr. Dix.
During the 2021-2022 school year, MAG’s Joyce Burghardt Excellence in Music Fund generously paid for the district’s music students to participate in the inaugural Pacific Lutheran University Band Invitational, in Honor Band, and in the Washington All-State Wind Symphony! As one student said, “It is super fun and raises confidence to a new level.” MAG offers a big thank you to donors to this special fund that makes these transformative musical experiences possible.
Donations to MAG’s general fund help support the K-12 public school music programs with instruments, sheet music, equipment, and student participation in competitions and concerts. Musical skill is an uplifting gift that lasts a lifetime. MAG appreciates your support for school music, whether by sharing this concert video with your friends or making a donation if you are able. Every dollar donated to MAG sends the message that School Music Matters!
To make a donation to MAG
1. Go online to www.oimag.org.
To donate to the general fund, click on the red “Click Here To Donate” button underneath “Music Advocacy
Group School Music Fund”. To donate to the Joyce Burghardt Fund, scroll down and click on the red “Click
Here To Donate” button underneath “Joyce Burghardt Excellence in Music Fund”.
2. Mail a check payable to the Music Advocacy Group to:
Music Advocacy Group
PO Box 1171 Eastsound, WA 98245
