Welcome to OICMF Scherzo (skert·sō/ noun: a vigorous, light, or playful composition)

The monthly newsletter of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival

Welcome Christopher!

As you may be aware, Executive Director Anita Orne is retiring at the end of this year. We are thrilled to announce that her replacement has been chosen - Christopher Peacock! He and Anita will be co-Executive Directors through 2025, then she will be handing the reins over to him for our 29th Season in 2026.

We know you join us in welcoming Cristopher!

Click here to read more.

The Westerlies

Musicians-in-Residence April 3 – 6

The Westerlies brass quartet returns to the San Juan Islands for an action-packed residency April 3-6 and we couldn't be more excited! There will be community concerts and pop-up performances on Orcas and Lopez Islands, an Orcas Island workshop for community musicians, and coaching and playing in Orcas and Shaw schools.

On Thursday, April 3, The Westerlies begin their residency at Orcas School, working with high school band students.

Friday, the quartet boards the interisland ferry to Shaw Island for musical fun with the students of Shaw Island School. While at the ferry landings, they just may serenade lucky passengers awaiting their boats.

At 1 pm Saturday, April 5, The Westerlies hold a free workshop at the Orcas High School Band Room for musicians of all experience levels and instruments. Pre-registration required by 5:00pm Thursday, April 3 - write mary@oicmf.org or call (360) 376-6636.

Saturday evening at 7, The Westerlies entertain Orcas Islanders in a Community Concert at the Grange. Admission is by donation at the door.

On Sunday, April 6, The Westerlies conclude their OICMF residency on Lopez Island with an afternoon performance at the Lopez Center. Once more, admission is by donation at the door for this community concert.

For more details and to learn more about the Westerlies, click here.

Aloysia and Anita Take Chamber Music America and Houston by Storm!

OICMF Executive Director Anita Orne joined Founder and Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann in Houston to attend the 2025 Chamber Music America Conference February 13-15. Throughout the weekend, they ran into several performers who have been Festival artists, and they met new musical friends in presentations and conference gatherings, including the conference's keynote speaker, New York Times food writer and chef J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, who is also a violinist.

On Saturday, Aloysia and Anita presented a seminar they created called Building a Happy, Healthy, Helpful Chamber Music Community, where they spoke about the importance of community relationships in all aspects of presenting chamber music and how to accomplish that. Anita returned to the office with many stories and photos, a few of which are included here.