Two of Northwest Washington’s highest rated high school music ensembles are right here on Orcas Island, the Orcas High School Band and the High School Strings.

And you have the opportunity to hear them play at their first concert of the school year this coming Thursday, Dec. 12 at Orcas Center at 7 p.m.

“Strings Director Pamela Wright and I have put together a wide-ranging program of exciting music – from Duke Ellington’s swing music and the Chariots of Fire theme to Gustav Holst, Vivaldi, Leonard Bernstein and John Philip Sousa,” said Darren Dix, the new Director of Band for Orcas School. “And we encourage everyone to come out and listen.”

Last year at this time the students from Orcas High School were preparing to compete at the San Juan Music Educators Association contest in Bellingham, where they walked away with some of the highest scores awarded among all schools represented – including schools from Bellingham, Oak Harbor, Mt. Vernon, and other larger communities in the region.

“We have many students returning from last year’s award-winning groups and some new students who have joined our high school groups,” said Pamela Wright, Music Director for Elementary, Middle and High School Strings and Choir, as well as K-4 classes. “If you heard our groups play last year, then you have an idea of the level of playing these young people are achieving. And if you haven’t heard them play yet, then you are in for a treat!”

Concertgoers on Dec. 12 will hear the High School Band perform Jose Padilla’s “El Relicario,” the theme from the movie “Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis and a jazzy medley called “Jump Swing Fever” arranged by John Wasson.

The High School Strings will perform the first movement of “St. Paul’s Suite” by Gustav Holst, “Beautiful Dreamer” by Stephen Foster, the first movement of Antonio Vivaldi’s “Andante Moderato” and Leonard Bernstein’s “America” from West Side Story.  The Orcas Strings and Band come together as the Orcas Youth Orchestra to play “Russian Sailors’ Dance” arranged by Balent, a medley of songs from film composer Danny Elfman, “Rhythm Stand” by Jennifer Higdon, and Sousa’s “Presidential Polonaise.”

This is the first in a trio of concerts by Orcas music students this winter. All concerts are free and open to the public.

The next two concerts are in January. Musicians from the 5th to 8th grade will perform on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. in the school cafeteria. The kindergarten to fourth grade concert will take place on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 6:30 p.m. in the old gym.