Special to The Leader

For nearly 40 years, March has been designated as “Music in Our Schools” month by the National Association of Music Educators, and the orchestra students of the Port Townsend School District are no exception.

“Music has a positive impact in the lives of our students that lasts a lifetime,” Port Townsend Music Boosters President Jeff Randall said. “Every day, in the classrooms and rehearsal rooms of the Port Townsend School District, music educators Kim Clarke, Caitlin Malarkey and Tristan Marcum dedicate themselves to reaching all students with life-changing musical experiences.”

“Students highly value their music education,” said Malarkey, “and it’s often the most important part of the day to them.”

Randall hopes that parents, administrators and “the wider community who see the wonderful results” of these students’ music performances appreciates not only the months of practice and rehearsals, but also the overall learning process required to make music happen.

“Music is my sanctuary, where I can express myself and my emotions,” senior concertmaster Anabel Moore said. “I turn to music whenever I feel overwhelmed, or need a break from the stresses of everyday life.”

Students attest to how playing music, and participating in ensembles, has a positive impact on their mental health.

“It’s something that helps calm me down,” eighth-grade cello player Hope Quinn said, while sixth-grade percussionist Luke Adams added: “Music is everything!”

Randall asserted that the positive impacts of learning and performing music in those students’ lives are especially important now, at a time when, according to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, teens are feeling more stress on average than adults.

As such, the Port Townsend Music Boosters are encouraging local community members to acknowledge and celebrate music education, “as an essential part of every student’s educational journey,” and this March, the Boosters are inviting the community to attend the following Port Townsend School District music events:

• March 4: Grades 6-11 band concert, at 6:30 p.m. at Blue Heron Middle School.

• March 5: High school orchestra chamber ensembles and soloists, performing from 4-6 p.m. at Vintage by Port Townsend Vineyards, 725 Water St. in Port Townsend. $20 suggested donation.

• March 15: Middle school and high school orchestra chamber ensembles and soloists, performing from 6-8 p.m. at the Bishop Hotel, 714 Washington St. in Port Townsend. $20 suggested donation.

• March 21: Blue Heron Middle School orchestra concert, at 6 p.m. at the middle school.

• March 27: Port Townsend High School orchestra concert, at the high school.

Randall added that this spring will see the school’s band and orchestra students traveling outside the local community when the grades 7-11 band goes to Port Angeles on March 6 to perform at the North Olympic Music Educators Band Adjudications, and the high school symphony orchestra goes to Ellensburg on March 9 for an overnight trip to perform at the Central Washington University Orchestra Festival.

In addition to marching and playing in local Rhododendron parades in May, the grades 7-11 band students also plan to travel to another parade in a different western Washington community later this year.

“Our students are extremely excited to go on these trips,” Malarkey said. “They receive valuable feedback from adjudicators, and have the opportunity to experience the performances of ensembles from different schools.”

While community concerts are open to the public and free to attend, donations are encouraged, and go toward funding out-of-town events for the district’s band and orchestra students.

Expenses for these trips are often not included in school district budgets, and parents are expected to pay what Randall deemed “significant” fees for their students to participate.

“For many years, local music booster groups have raised funds to allow for such trips, and help pay for students whose parents can’t afford the travel fees,” Randall said. “Our goal is to raise $20,000 this year, in support of our orchestra and band programs’ travel plans. We think giving our kids a chance to perform in front of the community, in a variety of venues, is the best way to accomplish this goal. We are very excited to be partnering with local businesses like Vintage and the Bishop Hotel. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

To learn more about the PT Music Boosters program, and see the latest news about upcoming events, visit the group’s Facebook page, at facebook.com/ptmusicboosters online.