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Lund lands Holland's Opus award By Amber Fossen Ashland Daily Tidings Southern Oregon University alumnus Terry Lund is among the first to receive the selective Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation Award. The MHOF award, inspired by the acclaimed motion picture "Mr Holland's Opus," was founded in 1996 to honor music education and those who spend their lives dedicated to teaching it. Lund personified dedication and enthusiasm for music curriculum, earning him one of only five awards that will be presented to the recipients on Feb. 14 at Carnegie Hall in New York City. "I'm just completely blown away by this," Lund said in a telephone interview from Cave Junction. "It's actually the first time they've given the award." Lund received his bachelor of arts from SOU in 1992 with a major in music conducting. In 1993, he graduated with his masters in education and has been teaching ever since. Directing music at both Illinois Valley High and Lorna Byrne Middle School located in Cave Junction, Lund loves the hectic pace of his job. Juggling three bands and three choirs - in addition to jazz bands and specialty groups - at two schools is at times, tricky, but rewarding to both him and the students. "I have a program that I try to keep as fun and energetic as possible," he said. "I think the important part of my job is creating an atmosphere where kids want to be there." Lund will join four other teachers from Illinois, Minnesota and Washington D.C. for the Feb. 14 ceremony. "It's really exciting. They're sending my wife and I to New York," he said. The pair will be spending a few days in New York during the Valentine's holiday where Lund will be awarded $10,000 for his dedication to musical growth. "I wanted a new trombone but with Measure 28's failure I think we're going to tuck it away and use it for living expenses," Lund said, noting his teaching future is "up in the air" with continual cuts to education. Lund said that $5,000 of the award would go toward instruments for the school music program. The MHOF award originally offered instruments and instrument repair to schools. However, the award will now include honoring the teachers that make music possible through funds secured by the Guitar Center Inc., located throughout the nation. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -