Ruth Boden, Associate Professor of Cello and Bass at Washington State University, came to Orcas Island March 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, and kept up a very busy pace in Pamela Wright's Strings classes at the public schools from young beginners through advanced high school students. She ran master classes for middle school, high school, and adult cellists, and she even gave a concert for the Orcas Island Seniors at their weekly luncheon!

All were inspired by their experiences with Dr. Boden, and the words "energetic" and "amazing" were heard frequently in describing her teaching style. Said one young student, "I wish she could come back every year . . . she left me with a sense of awe and passion for music and I wish everyone could have the amazing experience that I had."

April 4th, 5th, and 6th, the Wind and Percussion students at the Orcas Island Schools were wowed by Dr. Edwin Powell, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Pacific Lutheran University. Dr. Powell brought his vast knowledge and enthusiastic conducting style to students from 5th grade through high school and to the Orcas Island Community Band. His ability to engage the musicians and help develop listening and phrasing skills was invaluable to both the students and their conductors. Darren Dix, School Band teacher, spoke of Dr. Powell as "a friendly, eloquent and upbeat expert" and Jim Shaffer-Bauck, Community Band co-director, said, "He was the best thing that has happened to Community Band in the entire time I have been associated with the group . . . extremely efficient and a superb communicator."

Student praise was just as enthusiastic!

Orcas Choral Society's Spring 2016 concerts, April 23 and 24 at Orcas Center and May 1 at St. Mark's Cathedral in Seattle, will feature Missa Solemnis in C, written in 1826 by Alois Storch, who was OICMF Board member (pictured at right) Laila Storch's great-great grandfather and OICMF Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann's great-great-great grandfather. He was a pharmacist in his career, but, judging from this newly rediscovered work, Storch also had the skills and passion to write beautiful music.

The Tenor soloist for these concerts, Stephen Rumph, associate professor of music history at the University of Washington, is also well-connected to the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. Rumph was the Lecturer for several Music Lovers Seminars in recent years.

For tickets and more information, visit orcascenter.org or call the box office at 360-376-2281.