By MARIAN O’BRIEN
Special to the Islands’ Sounder
“I believe that band is not merely an elective, but a course that teaches people how to live together. Literally and metaphorically, music is simply another language, but more. It teaches teamwork, leadership, open-mindedness, respect, and mostly, joy. Music is necessary for my education because ultimately it teaches me, and my fellow musicians, nothing less than coexistence,” a 16 year-old music student said.
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, the Odd Fellows Hall will resound with sweet music to raise funds to benefit the middle and high school music program.
Sharon Abreu & Friends- Mike Hurwicz, Martin Lund, Grace McCune, Kailley Grantham, Orcas Horns, Orcas High School Jazz Ensemble and Orcas Middle School Chorus will delight their audience from 7 to 8 p.m. with tunes from the heart.
I wonder if anyone knows what the musician-per-capita ratio is here on Orcas Island? I believe it would be off the charts. Is it because we have such great community musical vehicles such as the Community Band and Orcatrazz, Island Sinfonia, the Choral Society, Orcas Acapella, and others that provide a place for all to play and sing? Is it just that tunes sound so darned good in our pristine island air? I think it’s this and more.
Each of the performers on Nov. 3 will describe how their musical careers were formed by their early music education. Musicians have great stories to tell. How a teacher, relative, friend, or sometimes a celebrity inspired them, challenged them, and supported them in their quest to make music. So many of us had these musical gifts given to us as children, and we are committed to giving children growing up on Orcas those same opportunities.
This year the Music Advocacy Group in their generous annual gift of a stipend for the school music teachers, provided funds that allowed middle/high school music teacher Lizz Hanks to bring in vocalist and musician Sharon Abreu to work with the choral class. They will deliver two special songs at the concert that they have been working on.
I asked Sharon about her early music education.
“I had many fun experiences in my public school music program. I was very lucky that my public school music teachers were both competent and kind. They were very professional and knew how to get good results while showing respect for the students and providing us with a fun and rewarding experience. Because of the public school music program, I was prepared to audition for and play in the New York Youth Symphony, which gave concerts in Carnegie Hall. I was a very shy kid and didn’t socialize easily. Being involved in the public school music activities helped me a lot to socialize and to come out of my shell, and to develop my skills and talent.”
Grace McCune has been living and breathing music her entire life.
“As long as I can remember,” McCune said, “We had music in my house as a constant presence growing up. My mom was a band director for the local junior high with a great appreciation for brass instruments. This appreciation inspired my mom to create a brass quartet with her three children and herself. My mom played the trumpet, my eldest brother played the Baritone, the middle brother played trombone and I, without my two front teeth learned to play the French Horn. Before I had learned to read books, I learned to read notes on a staff. As I grew up, my love for music had grown with me to include piano and voice. Music has been my constant companion throughout my childhood and into my adult life. It is the way I express myself and identify with the world around me.”
Tickets for the Nov. 3 event are by suggested donation of $10 and available at Darvill’s, the high school office, and at the door.
And the tarts? you might be asking. All those in attendance will be treated to home made tarts of assorted varieties as a token of gratitude for their support of this vital program for our kids.
“Music helps you to understand people and cultures. It has a way of bringing people together. Music soothes feelings and clears the minds. Music is about communication, cooperation and creativity. If we study music we can enrich these skills, and in this way we become better citizens and hopefully build a better world in which to live,” a 14 year-old music student said.
