Looking for a reason to leave your winter burrow? Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival is thrilled to announce the vibrant WindSync quintet will be returning to Orcas and Shaw islands for a three-day music residency. From Jan. 30 – Feb. 1, the celebrated group will treat islanders to a bevy of events that includes an idyllic evening concert, innovative and engaging musical education, and much more.
This year marks the 15th anniversary for the Houston-based group, whose highly inventive award-winning musical style has enchanted worldwide audiences and won much critical acclaim. A favorite at OICMF events in 2014 and 2018, WindSync embraces theatrical elements, costumes and staging, and interactive audience play to create an unforgettable, immersive chamber music experience performed on flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, and bassoon.
WindSync’s upcoming island residency showcases events for music lovers of every age, beginning with two workshops on Tuesday, Jan. 30. The quintet will be working with Orcas School band students during the day. At 4:00 p.m., there will be a Workshop for Community Musicians in the High School band room. All are welcome! The workshop is free; register by emailing info@oicmf.org or calling (360) 376-6636 by 5:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29.
The 2022 winner of the Fischoff Ann Devine Education Award, WindSync is well-known for their music education programs and theatrical children’s concerts, attracting thousands of young people each year with their fun-loving, whimsical performances, including Peter and the Wolf and Interstellar Cinderella.
On Wednesday, Jan. 31, WindSync will wow a packed house of elementary students at Orcas Center with a high-energy assembly that’s bound to be equally educational and entertaining. The event is sponsored by the Peach Foundation and the Music Advocacy Group (MAG).
That evening, the quintet will headline a Community Concert at the elegant Orcas Christian School Chapel, where the musicians’ talents in many genres will be on full display. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m., admission by donation.
WindSync’s charismatic risk-taking, paired with unparalleled musical prowess, has produced a Billboard chart-topping album, a robust international touring career, and countless accolades. Performances have included concerts at the Metropolitan Museum, the Library of Congress, and Carnegie Hall. WindSync’s next album, recorded with Grammy-winning composer Miguel del Aguila at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, releases this year.
A little interisland travel is in store for the final day of WindSync’s residency. On Thursday, Feb. 1, the quintet will play for the students of Shaw Island School as well as treating ferry-goers to a “pop-up” concert on the interisland route—call it the perfect cap to a whirlwind musical tour!
OICMF Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann can’t say enough positive things about WindSync, as performers and as beautiful individuals. She relishes many memories of the group, including their participation in the Brandenburg Concertos and Peter and the Wolf during our 2018 Festival. Artistic Advisor Jon Kimura Parker looks forward to playing Rhapsody in Blue with them later in 2024.
