Document text
2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Lion sanctuary in Phoenix could be shut down 10 things to know for Thursday Legislature might be divided on clean fuels bill, but these Ashlanders weren't 10 things to know for Wednesday Guanajuato gratefully accepts fire truck donated by city of Ashland Education Pulling strings for youth music education Bee college takes to the air Grizzlies shine at Eugene speech tourney Ashland High School named among best in the state High school Student of the Month: Jackson Richmond Environment Legislature might be divided on clean fuels bill, but these Ashlanders weren't Ashland Rowing Club members put their backs into Emigrant Lake clean-up The birdman of Bellview Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow Business Ride & Drive: 2015 Chrysler 300 Silvio Calabi: Volvo XC60 is sexy safety in an SUV Ride & Drive: 2015 Audi R8 Locally grown businesses bid for micro-investor attention Ride & Drive: 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Politics and elections Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out today Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Successor Kate Brown must run for election in 2016 Sadness, relief greet Kitzhaber resignation locally State News Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Federal investigation of Kitzhaber to focus on potential financial crimes Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Read Gov. John Kitzhaber's statement on his resignation Legislative leaders join in call for Kitzhaber resignation (updated) Nation - World Leonard Nimoy, famous as Mr. Spock on 'Star Trek,' dies Obituaries Lee Alfred Perlman Death Notices David V. Sprunger Death Notices Death Notices Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Headed to nationals SOU tracksters head east for indoor championships Trophy stays in Caldwell Grizzlies let second-half lead slip away in season-ending loss to CV SOU women land three on all-star picks High school Grizzlies let second-half lead slip away in season-ending loss to CV Williams named first-team all-star Owls stun No. 8 Raiders Norvell goes from newbie to state favorite Grizz boys fend off Eagles, earn second straight win Southern Oregon University Headed to nationals SOU tracksters head east for indoor championships Trophy stays in Caldwell SOU women land three on all-star picks CCC title in Raiders' sights Voices Latest Stories Letters to the Editor, March 5 Arthur I. Cyr: Brutal murders in Russia a reminder and challenge Our View: Spelling out safety Letters to the Editor, March 4 Our View: Editorial Our View: Spelling out safety Our View: Our View: A growing concern Our View: A change of scenery Our View: Pot tax fairness Letters Letters to the Editor, March 5 Letters to the Editor, March 4 Letters to the Editor, March 2 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 25 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 24 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Growth carries risks Guest Opinion: Legal poisons in our waters Chris Honoré: Public schools: separate, still unequal Guest Opinion: Why so anxious to tax marijuana? Herb Rothschild Jr.: A good day for peace Columns Mochas, midrash and mysteries: An interfaith dialogue Council Corner: In office 55 days and still alive Kent Bush: Minnie Minoso was famous for the right reasons Chris Honoré: The way Republicans roll redux Herb Rothschild: What to do about ISIS? Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Alice DiMicele plays Unitarian Fellowship Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Community blog: Writers, submit HAPA plays the Historic Ashland Armory Theater 'She Stoops' rises on SOU stage Review: OSF keeps the comedy afloat in 'Much Ado' SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' Ticket Availability SOU's 'The Glass Menagerie' is memory — and memorable Music Alice DiMicele plays Unitarian Fellowship The Farr Side: Another career highlight for Kelly Clarkson Music on the Mountain: Ski area launching concert series Victor D. Infante: Just in time for Valentine’s Day, some favorite breakup songs The Farr Side: Smith dominates, Beck surprises at Grammys Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Movies Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Movie review: ‘Lazarus Effect’ should have been buried Movie review: Don’t ‘Focus’ on the problems and you’ll enjoy this Neill Blomkamp discusses his new film, ‘Chappie’ Quick Flicks: ‘Jupiter Ascending,’ ‘50 Shades of Grey’ Food and Drink Sammich does it Chicago-style Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Marketta Gregory: Keeping a prayer journal Religion News: Westminster Abbey to add new tower Page Onorato: Please don’t take my Goo Goo Clusters away Season Stepp: Celebrate Pi Day with these tasty pie recipes Tammy Kelly: Bring back the potatoes Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Lion sanctuary in Phoenix could be shut down ... Legislature might be divided on clean fuels bill, but these Ashlanders weren't ... Our View: Spelling out safety ... Lion sanctuary in Phoenix could be shut down ... Legislature might be divided on clean fuels bill, but these Ashlanders weren't ... Our View: Spelling out safety ... MODERN ROOTS FOUNDATION Pulling strings for youth music education Nonprofit funds lessons, workshops to get kids engaged in music early Comment By Sam Wheeler For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Sam Wheeler For the Tidings Posted Mar. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Sam Wheeler For the Tidings Posted Mar. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Dee Fretwell had one goal when she launched Modern Roots Foundation almost a 16 months ago from her Ashland home: help provide musical opportunity for aspiring young musicians throughout Southern Oregon. Fretwell recognizes there is a socioeconomic gap concerning who can afford music lessons, and she is working to erase it. “I figured, why not create a more sustainable program that’s great for the community, so that music teachers can remain in business and the kids can get access,” said Fretwell, whose husband, Jeff, runs Ashland's Fretwell Music store. “There isn’t anything like Modern Roots. There are some other organizations like the Youth Symphony (of Southern Oregon) and some other really great ones, but it’s all classically driven. I think roots music is a little bit more accessible to kids. It’s not as intimidating.” In 2014, Modern Roots raised $25,000 and provided 26 kids with scholarships for music lessons, camps and workshops, said Fretwell, who is executive director of the nonprofit. She is proud of those numbers but far from satisfied. With 20 more eager kids on the waiting list, there is demand for more, she said. For individual lessons, Modern Roots works with 12 instructors in Ashland, Talent, Phoenix and Medford. The group also offers scholarships for workshops and camps. Guitar, bass, ukulele, mandolin, fiddle and banjo are currently supported. Youths from 8 to 18 are eligible. Karen Jacobsen heard about Modern Roots from her son’s teacher. Cedric, 11, is a fifth-grader at John Muir Elementary School in Ashland, and he has been playing violin since he was in the first grade. “I think he had a teacher in preschool that brought her violin to school, and ever since he saw her play, he knew he wanted to play,” she said. “I am just really excited that Dee is putting this program together. I feel historically music has been available to a class of people that is more middle class ... it’s an extra. I feel so happy that Dee has found a way to help people who maybe can’t afford that extra $25 a week to have music lessons.” Jacobsen said her son jumped at the opportunity and has been taking weekly lessons with Ashland-based Creekside Strings founder and instructor Duane Whitcomb since January. “I don’t think my kid’s going to be a prodigy musician. I don’t think that’s the goal. But it’s really important to find a way to connect with people on a level that’s creative and connect with people in that different way,” Jacobsen said. The opportunities to pursue music in public schools have become very limited, she said. Fretwell is providing an avenue to a service that some families have felt cut off from financially, Jacobsen said. Fretwell said she hopes to kick off a fundraising campaign this month to up the number of scholarships available in 2015. She plans to launch an appeal on Indiegogo.com and increase her search for grants. Last year, the Oregon Community Foundation, Carpenter Foundation, Chaney Family Foundation and D’Addario Foundation contributed to Modern Roots, Fretwell said. For more information, see www.modernrootsfoundation.org or email Fretwell at [email protected]. Reach freelance reporter Sam Wheeler at [email protected] By Sam Wheeler For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Sam Wheeler For the Tidings Posted Mar. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501