Welcome to OICMF Scherzo(skert·sō/ noun: a vigorous, light, or playful composition)
The monthly newsletter of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival
Over the next few months, we will be sharing video highlights
from our 26th Season.
The 2023 Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival opened with a pair of concerts honoring Laila Storch. This piece, Trailblazer by Alyssa Morris, was commissioned by Houston's ROCO in Laila's memory. We know you will enjoy this beautiful and touching performance.
Our second concert pair, Voice of the Whale, was in memory of Sam Coleman. It included a kaleidoscope of works that touched on things dear to Sam's heart, from whales (such a part of life on Orcas) to Hollywood. First-time Festival artists Iwo Jedynecki and Karolina Mikołajczyk wowed and charmed audiences with performances including The Hollywood Fantasy below. We know you will love it whether this is your first listen or if you had the good fortune to hear it live.
Iwo and Karolina will be returning to Orcas Island soon! Stay tuned for news about their concert this November - details to follow!
To read about all of this season's performances, including program notes, view our
As with everything chamber music, there were many wonderful collaborations during our 26th Season. A very popular one was our partnership with Our Lady of the Rock Monastery on Shaw Island, providers of our first ever Festival Mustard! This partnership was so popular that, by Festival's end, we were sold out. But we are pleased to let you know our Shaw friends have whipped up a fresh batch and we once more have both South Beach Picnic and Mother Prisca's Spicy Mustard available for purchase either here at the office or through our website (along with many other fine gifts). Get yours now - you don't want to miss out!
We look forward to sharing more OICMF news and events with you, including more video highlights from our 26th Season — keep your eyes peeled for next month's Scherzo!
