http://www.oakharborfestival.com/blog/rss/feedsThe Oak Harbor Music Festival is on Labor Day Weekend on Whidbey Island. This is a free three day festival. Over 40 bands on three stagesTue, 05 May 2026 23:12:50 -0700http://www.oakharborfestival.com/blog/post/alumni-update--fin-white-dreams-fulfilled-more-to-comehttp://www.oakharborfestival.com/blog/post/alumni-update--fin-white-dreams-fulfilled-more-to-come “I always dreamed of singing on the main stage.”Dreams and inspiration are a common theme as we catch up with our former Teen Talent Showcase stars. For Fin White, that dream turned to reality in 2018. In a duet that year with Taliah Black, and again as a solo act in 2019, Fin featured catchy lyrics and a memorable, heartfelt stage presence.Fin first became aware of the Music Festival in middle school. “I had only just begun to develop my guitar and songwriting skills. Even as a kid, I saw the festival as a fantastic source of accessible live music.”Music filled Fin’s high school days, with time and energy going to marching band as well as classical and jazz ensembles. That left little bandwidth available for anything else, but “the music festival gave me an audience for my own personal songs, which up until that point lived mostly in my own head, and on my very small youtube channel. Realizing there were real people who wanted to listen to my music inspired me to continue creating, and still does to this day.”That realization – hey, someone actually wants to hear me play! – is a watershed moment for a musician. Fin made the most of it. “Playing in the festival in my teens gave me a small glimpse into what performing with more focus on songwriting could look like for me.”Graduating mid-Covid, Fin missed out on a swan-song round on stage as the Festival was canceled in 2020. But Fin was awarded the Festival’s Ed Bridges Memorial Scholarship and went off to Western Washington University in Bellingham. Fin is one of just a handful of Teen Talent stars over the years who also picked up an OHMF scholarship as a graduating senior.While still writing songs and recording a few of them on their YouTube channel, Fin isn’t performing much these days. “Songwriting has always been an outlet first and foremost, so I sometimes struggle to add polish to my work once it’s been written.” That said, Fin looks forward to a potential return to the OHMF stage this year.“I’ve done some growing since my last time participating in OHMF, and I’m looking forward to performing some more mature music alongside my old songs.”Fin continues to post videos of their music on their YouTube channel. Their personal favorite is this one right here:https://youtu.be/FX1wW05VouYAs an adult, Fin clearly sees OHMF’s impact on the Oak Harbor community, and they continue to be inspired. “Its biggest accomplishment is giving everyone in our community access to free, high-quality live music in a multitude of different genres. I think you’ve done a fantastic job of inspiring people to take time out of their schedules to share in the wonderful experience of listening to music together.”Fin’s “September to September,” written as a realistic snapshot of high school life, love, and attitude from the inside, earned Fin some fans when they performed it on stage at OHMF in 2019. Five years removed from that world, Fin still appreciates the impact the song made.“I remember how much it meant to me in my high school years, and I have heard it still speaks to high schoolers in the community today. I have had multiple people reach out and tell me they loved it. I’ve changed a lot since I wrote the song, but I remember it fondly as one of my first writing experiences.”That’s a heck of a legacy as an artist, knowing your work still has an impact. We look forward to seeing Fin on stage for years to come. Thu, 18 Apr 2024 17:01:00 -0700http://www.oakharborfestival.com/blog/post/alumni-update--jordan-georges-new-roadhttp://www.oakharborfestival.com/blog/post/alumni-update--jordan-georges-new-road Sometimes you can just watch a dream unfold. It sure seemed that way, sipping coffee with 2018 OHMF scholarship recipient Jordan George.For a guy with so much on tap, Jordan was remarkably composed. He’s in the home stretch for his Master’s at WSU. A final recital looms, featuring (we are not making this up) a tuba’s take on a piece originally written for violin. When he flips his tassel on the first Saturday in May, and tucks that MA in Music under his arm… then what?Auditions.Jordan’s goal is an orchestral tuba position in a large city symphony. It isn’t hard to envision this confident young man getting exactly what he wants. And it all started right here in Oak Harbor.Euphonium in 6th grade was followed by tuba in 7th, electric and string bass at age 14, and his first trip to the Oak Harbor Music Festival at 15. “That was my first time ever really seeing live music in that setting.”Music does inspire.By the time he reached high school, that first time seeing live music was enough to inspire Jordan and his Second Left bandmates to jump on stage for the OHMF teen talent showcase in 2016 and 2017. Teen talent judges still remember the band’s audition as Green Day’s “American Idiot” ripped through the quiet of the Oak Harbor Library.Jordan loved the showmanship of rock, but his tuba was taking him to new heights. He earned all-state and all-national performance honors, served as the OHHS drum major, was admitted to the prestigious Central Washington University School of Music, and took home the Oak Harbor Music Festival’s Bruce Lantz Music Scholarship in 2018.While earning a bachelor's degree in Music studying with Dr. David McLemore, Jordan played wherever he could – symphonic band, symphonic winds, wind ensemble, marching band, tuba euphonium ensemble, trombone choir, brass choir – and earned a spot in the WIBC U Collegiate Honor Band.WSU’s MA program brought more honors and performance opportunities as Jordan earned a full scholarship for his musical talent, was named principal chair at the WIBC-U Collegiate Honor Band, and won the Washington state round of the MTNA solo competition. As he nears the finish line for his degree, Jordan still performs at least once a week between the Washington-Idaho symphony, WSU symphony, WSU wind ensemble, WSU jazz band, WSU graduate brass quintet, and Whidbey’s own Saratoga Orchestra.It may wear you out to hear him list the gigs he plays, but Jordan’s eyes twinkle at the variety of changing environments and styles. “In jazz, you improvise a bit. And you can play as loud as you want; in fact, you can never be too loud.” Another night, he’s straight laced but just as inspired in an orchestra – where he has “less latitude, with the goal to play exactly what’s on the page – and play it right. It’s a whole different challenge, trying to bring that composer’s vision to life from hundreds of years ago.”Jordan shares his passion and talent as a graduate teaching assistant at WSU. He teaches music theory, leads rehearsals, and gives lessons to tuba and euphonium players.He’s about to open a new chapter and put college in his rearview, but Jordan hasn’t lost perspective. He looks back to those Teen Talent shows as watershed moments.“I feel like performing in the festival helped me conquer some fears… it helped me become more comfortable with being in front of crowds, despite the anxiety I felt, and really helped me establish my on-stage personality.”Music continues to inspire.“Without the motivator of music, who’s to say I ever would have gone to college? I’ve been inspired to succeed and reach out to others.” Jordan adds that without music, he wouldn’t have met so many friends and teachers, and wouldn’t be a month away from a master’s degree.“Music has inspired me to have a purpose in life, and that purpose is providing music for others to enjoy.”Jordan loves telling people he’s from Oak Harbor. “My roots are here; I’m proud that this will always be my home. And there’s so much talent here…” he pauses for a second… “but why isn’t there a bigger live music scene? The music festival is amazing, so why can’t this community support more live shows all year?”You get the feeling this man could grab a baton, rally his community, set the beat… and just darn well make that happen.Jordan stands tall on bass in the 2016 OHMF Teen Talent Showcase. Fellow members of Second Left are Ethan Cosper, left, on guitar and vocals, and Q White on drums. Not shown is guitarist Cayden Cosper.Mon, 15 Apr 2024 12:19:00 -0700http://www.oakharborfestival.com/blog/post/alumni-update--rosahlee-steps-it-uphttp://www.oakharborfestival.com/blog/post/alumni-update--rosahlee-steps-it-up We caught up this month with Rosahlee, a former 4-time Teen Talent Showcase star at the festival. Rosahlee has since returned to our stage twice as an adult.Rosahlee was in middle school when a teacher first showed her a poster for our Teen Talent Showcase. Looking back at that day, she says “I always wanted a chance to play music on a big festival stage. This was a great opportunity to do something I had dreamed of. I was very excited to perform my music in front of such a large audience!”Rosahlee was also a competitive figure skater and loved the performance aspect. “Playing my own music live was still new and slightly nerve-racking to me, but being up on stage felt like home due to my performing arts experience.”When she first appeared as a Teen Talent artist, Rosahlee was excited to share an original song, “a fun, upbeat one titled ‘Can’t Tell Me No.’” Rosahlee says her songwriting has matured, and these days she’s “more comfortable sharing vulnerable lyrics with listeners and connecting with an audience.” Today, Rosahlee performs a mix of covers with her own original music. But, she says, “all of my original music that I perform and have released is entirely self-written and does take up a good portion of the sets I play.” Rosahlee goes on to say that when an audience knows “the words you sing are genuine and come from within, they know that you as an artist are someone that they can trust.” She believes her recent single, “Growing Pains,” is her most honest song yet, about aspects of growing up that are uncomfortable and unfamiliar at times.Rosahlee hopes to perform again at the Oak Harbor Festival. “It’s a great event and something I look forward to every year whether attending or performing!”She is thankful that the Festival inspired her career with an opportunity to pursue her passion for music, and “I am especially grateful to Deidre Fairfax and Larry Mason for providing us teens with such a wonderful opportunity.”Rosahlee is still a local Oak Harbor resident, still performs regularly, and heads south for a show at the Mesa Music Festival in Arizona next month. Just recently, she played the Penn Cove Musselfest for the first time, and she plays local events all around Washington.Locals who have seen Rosahlee perform the last few years might wonder who the quiet young man is on stage with her. Darius Williams, she says, is “an extremely talented singer/bassist/percussionist and music producer. I’m grateful to have had him on my musical journey for so many years. He had the chance to accompany me at the Oak Harbor Music Festival the last three times and loved the local community.”Rosahlee dreams of a career as a full time touring artist. “My passion is performing and connecting with others through music. I’ll be taking all opportunities that come up to keep sharing my music and growing an audience.”Take a listen to Rosahlee right here:https://open.spotify.com/artist/6XPShUMWeRPrseRTa5uCXz Sat, 13 Apr 2024 15:34:00 -0700http://www.oakharborfestival.com/blog/post/board-bio-rachel-spearshttp://www.oakharborfestival.com/blog/post/board-bio-rachel-spearsRachel Spears serves on the OHMF Board as Director of the beer gardens, a crucial aspect of the festival as the revenue helps us to continue to keep excellent music coming to the festival year after year.Rachel first came to Oak Harbor while serving with the Navy, living here from 2003-2007, and moving back in 2012 after she finished her service. She started volunteering for the festival in 2015 when, as she says, “I met some amazing people from the current board who I wanted to support.”As her volunteer responsibilities have grown, Rachel has felt a growing bond with the team that stewards the festival, so she gladly accepted the chance to serve on the board. “I absolutely love the way the board members support each other no matter what. We know it’s for a good cause, and we will do anything we can to get it accomplished!”Over the years, Rachel notes that volunteering at the festival all weekend long has carried a bonus: “I’ve been able to see some amazing bands, including one of my favorites, the Loving Mary Band.”Fun facts about Rachel:Her favorite part of the festival is watching it get set up & put together.…and, hang around her about five minutes and you’ll know she likes unicorns. She likes unicorns a lot. Why? “Because they are one in a magical million!”So are you, Rachel. Thanks for your enthusiasm and your hard work. Sat, 13 Apr 2024 14:20:00 -0700