Welcome to OICMF Scherzo (skert·sō/ noun: a vigorous, light, or playful composition)
The monthly newsletter of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival
We had a wonderful, richly varied WindSync residency! 
First up was a session with the Orcas Island School District Middle School Band. WindSync shared music as well as tips for playing together. They worked with one duo headed to a competition in Bellingham - the improvement in their playing in such a short time was inspiring to all!

(You can see Orcas Island School and community musicians performing at the Music Advocacy Group Benefit Concert on March 3 at 3:00pm. Visit the MAG website for more information. Support school music!)
Following their work teaching and inspiring the students, WindSync hosted a free workshop with a group of adult musicians. This constellation of Orcas Island players was treated to a short WindSync performance and then played with the quintet, utilizing the pointers they had just received. Fun was had, great music was made.
The next day, the entirety of the Orcas Island Elementary School plus students from Orcas Christian School filled Orcas Center. They learned what a flute, an oboe, a clarinet, a French horn, and a bassoon are and were treated to a lively Peter and the Wolf as well as a variety of other pieces. And, more than anything, they learned how beautiful, enthralling, and fun classical music can be!
That evening saw a very lucky audience enjoy an intimate concert in the lovely chapel at Orcas Christian School. The mood and music were both sublime, the audience interaction entertaining and educational.
Thursday morning, the quintet caught the morning ferry to Shaw Island School where they shared their magic with the full student body and a few lucky community members...
...then it was back on the ferry to play for commuters, ferry workers, students, people traveling home from doctor and dentist appointments - altogether a varied and happy crowd which included audience members from all 4 ferry-served islands. As one listener commented, “it is a gift from the angels to get on the boat and find this!” 

Click on the "play" button below to enjoy a brief sample.
Thank you WindSync for your amazing music and thanks to our sponsors of the residency: The Peach Foundation, Carl de Boor, Aloysia Friedmann and Jon Kimura Parker, The Shaw School Foundation, and Carolyn Haugen, and to hosts Mimi and Slim Sommerville, Orcas Island School District, Orcas Center, Orcas Island Christian School, Shaw Island School, and Washington State Ferries. It was a very special three days that touched so many and brightened the dark winter days for us all.
August is Right Around the Corner!

Save the dates for our 27th Season! Opening night is August 2, closing night is August 17. In between, we’ll have our usual wonderful mix of Main Stage Concerts, free Hamlet and Children’s Concerts, OICMF on Lopez Island, and so very much more! Keep reading Scherzo and check our website for updates.
We look forward to sharing more OICMF news and events with you — keep your eyes peeled for next month's Scherzo!
All the best,
Anita Orne
Executive Director
Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival
Classical Music with a View
Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival

Aloysia Friedmann
Founder and Artistic Director

917B Mount Baker Road • PO Box 646
Eastsound, WA 98245
(360) 376-6636