Orca Sing Concert June 19 Celebrates Resident Orcas in Song and Words

The 11th annual ‘Orca Sing’ concert will be held on June 19, beginning at 6 PM, at Lime Kiln Point State Park on San Juan Island.

The concert features maestro Fred West and members of the City Cantabile Choir and a brass quintet in a celebration in song and words for Puget Sound’s Resident Orca whales.

“When we first started singing to the whales we wanted to see whether they would listen to us,” said West, recalling the early days of the concert event. “Over these years, we’ve created a cultural event, a ceremonial way where instead of people creating more suffering for marine mammals and the ecosystem, we’re sharing with the whales some of the best of our civilization—our music and our inspirational words. ’Orca Sing’ is an invitation to bring our best to the Orcas.”

This year’s concert features a brass quintet in addition to choir voices. “It will be interesting to see whether the whales respond to a wider range of frequencies, the lower and higher sounds of the tuba and the trumpet,” said West.

The June 19 concert is dedicated this year to the people and the wildlife suffering through the devastation of BP’s Gulf Gusher.

‘Orca Sing’ starts at 6 PM with lighthouse tours and information booths. The concert begins at 7 PM and continues to dusk. West asks concertgoers to bring a flashlight to light up the night in time to the music when the sun sets.

The event is free, and a suggested donation of $5 will help cover transportation cost of the choir and costs of the sound system.

Parking is extremely limited at Lime Kiln State Park. Please plan to carpool or take the bus from the ferry and Friday Harbor. San Juan Transit is offering half price round trip fares ($5) to and from Lime Kiln Park. Reservations and information at: http://www.sanjuantransit.com/

‘Orca Sing’ is sponsored by People For Puget Sound, Friends of the San Juans, The Whale Museum, American Cetacean Society--Puget Sound Chapter, The Whale Trail, Orca Network and the City Cantabile Choir.
 
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