by KRISTIN WILSON

Special to the Sounder

Orcas student musicians from the fifth through eighth grades will bring their voices and instruments together for a music-filled evening on Thursday, Jan. 16, in the Orcas School Cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. Music Directors Pamela Wright (strings and choir) and Darren Dix (band) have planned an excellent musical program with a wide variety of numbers.

Some of the pieces performed will include American favorites “Skip to My Lou” and “Oh Susanna,” the moving Israeli anthem “Hatikvah Fantasia,” the marvelous percussive piece “Anasazi,” the bold and energetic “Fanfare Acclamations,” and the Grammy-nominated “Roar” by Katy Perry.  If preparations are complete, the fifth and sixth grade strings will perform the popular theme for “Game of Thrones” composed by Ramin Djawadi, and arranged by our very own high school strings player Brigid Ehrmantraut.

“Six different music groups from fifth to eighth grades will be performing,” said Pamela Wright, director of strings. “These are the stars of our future music department, and we’d love to have the community attend and show their support for these musicians.”

Fifth and sixth grade strings will play “Hard Rock Highway,” “Bolero,” and “Game of Thrones.” The middle school strings will perform “Hatikvah Fantasia,” “Mattachins,” and “Branle.” The fifth and sixth grade choir will sing “Roar,” “Do, Re, Mi”, and the “Cups” song (“When I’m Gone” from Pitch Perfect).

The 22-member-strong fifth grade band has prepared “Skip to My Lou,” “Oh Susanna,” and John Philip Sousa’s “High School Cadets.” The Sixth Grade Band will perform “El Nino,” “Anasazi,” and “American Medley.” The Middle School Band will play “Superman,” “Camptown Variations,” “Fitzwilliam Suite,” and “Fanfare Acclamations.”

This is the second in a trio of concerts by Orcas music students this winter. All concerts are free. The kindergarten to fourth grade concert will take place on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 6:30 p.m. in the old gym.