Submitted by Music Advocacy Group.

Ethereal notes of the hammered dulcimer were the unexpected accompaniment to the raucous chatter of elementary students during lunch break in the public school cafeteria on April 26th.

At a table of usually rowdy 4th grade students, one of them was overhead saying, “This music is beautiful”! It was a beautiful scene in many ways—young students dining together while a well-known local musician, wielding her instrument like a magic wand, conjured a certain relaxed mood in the large room. What a treat!

With a generous donation of time and sponsorship by an anonymous donor, the Music Advocacy Group (MAG) has been able to engage local musicians for a series of lunchtime performances for elementary school students.

Carolyn Cruso inaugurated the series and will perform again on May 24th. Guitarist Jeffry Steele will perform on May 12th. More performances are planned for the Fall.

In mid-May, look out for a Spring concert video celebrating the budding musical talent in the Orcas Island School District. MAG is thrilled to help build a school culture that embraces music and is dedicated to sustaining a quality public school music program, with the support of music lovers on Orcas Island. For more information, please visit www.OIMAG.org.