Submitted by Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival

Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival welcomes Musician-in-Residence Rachel Buchman to Orcas Island in May for an energetic week of musical fun with preschool and elementary school children and a free concert in collaboration with The Funhouse for children and their families.

Rachel Buchman is the founder and head of the Young Children’s Division at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in Houston, Texas, where she works with music education students and pre-school and elementary children. Her work incorporates Dalcroze Eurhythmy, a creative method of developing the intuitive musicianship of young children by finding rhythm and melody through movement. She also coaches Shepherd School students in a student-run chamber music outreach program, JUMP! Just for U Music Program, in the art of creative, eloquent, and effective communication, giving them the skills to innovate contemporary approaches to performing for diverse audiences. Ms. Buchman has taught music to young people from toddlers to doctoral students across the United States and in Europe and Israel. In addition to her music career, Ms. Buchman performs voice-overs on radio, television, anime, film and industry. She has been a teaching artist with Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival since 2010, working with Orcas Island teachers to help them bring more music into the lives of island families.

Throughout the week of May 6-10, Ms. Buchman will lead children in creative music, movement, and dance at Children’s House, Kaleidoscope, Orcas Montessori Preschool, and Orcas Elementary School.

The highlight of the week-long residency will be the Children’s Concert with Rachel Buchman and Guitar – Join Rachel in enthusiastic singing, dancing, and musical adventures for children age 3 and up. This free children’s concert is at The Funhouse on Friday, May 10, at 6:00pm. The early evening concert will be a fun and entertaining way for families to end their week. Tickets are not required for this event. For more information, please contact tracy@oicmf.org. This week of musical fun for young people is sponsored by Sara Jane Johnson.