The Music Advocacy Group’s 19th annual benefit concert will bring adult and student Orcas musicians together in support of school music on Sunday, March 6, at 3 p.m. in the Old Gym at the public school.

It is the single largest music concert on Orcas, with more than 100 musicians performing. Every year they come together to volunteer their time and musical talent to support one great cause: the Orcas School music program.

“All the money we take in at this concert is devoted to supporting the school music program,” said Catherine Pederson, President of MAG. “Thanks to the donations we receive at this annual concert, as well as other contributions from generous community members, MAG was able to donate close to $20,000 to the school music program just in the past two years alone.”

MAG purchased 35 new ukuleles for 3rd and 4th graders at Orcas School, for example. They also purchased a new Adams xylophone for use by musicians from 3rd grade through high school, two new small cellos, orchestral sheet music, and a set of tenor drums for pep band. They helped to offset expenses for a performance trip to Disneyland, paid for travel and registration expenses for continuing education for teachers, paid for Orcas Center rental for concerts, and more.

The March 6 concert will feature performances by Orcas Choral Society, Island Sinfonia, Orcas Island Community Band, and Orcas Public School musicians. Orcas Choral Society singers and Artistic Director Roger Sherman always fill the auditorium with their beautiful voices. This year they will sing the “Kyrie” from Franz Schubert’s Mass in G Major and I Hear America Singing by Andre Thomas.

Island Sinfonia, led by Music Director Jim Shaffer-Bauck, will play “Fanfare” pour précéder La Péri by Paul Dukas, “Pavanne” from Symphonette No. 2 by Morton Gould, “Vivace” from Concerto in E-flat Major by G. Friedrich Händel and John Henry by Aaron Copland.

The Orcas Island Community Band, with Conductors Jim Shaffer-Bauck and Karen Speck, will play four selections: “Farandole” from L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2 by Georges Bizet, The Typewriter by Leroy Anderson, Galop by Gary P. Gilroy, and Pennsylvania Polka by Lester Zee and Zeke Manners.

Some of the Orcas High School musicians will also perform under the direction of Pamela Wright (strings) and Darren Dix (band). All groups will participate when Roger Sherman conducts the rousing finale, God Bless America.

“We hope to fill the entire school gym for this concert,” said Catherine Pederson, President of MAG.

Everyone is invited to stay following the concert for a reception, coordinated by Susan Gudgell and Lynn White, in the Orcas School’s new cafeteria space. Admission to the concert is by donation, and every person attending will be presented with a “School Music Matters” lapel button. Be sure to get yours as you walk in the door. All proceeds go to MAG, a 501(c)(3) organization whose sole purpose is to support and augment the music program of the Orcas Island public schools.

Those who cannot attend but wish to donate can make checks to “MAG” and mail them to P.O. Box 1171, Eastsound, WA 98245.