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State money brings music back to Prospect Mail Tribune photo / Jim Craven Al Zellar teaches music in Prospect schools this year, the first time in a decade that the tiny district has offered a music program. The program is paid for with a one-time infusion of state money and could be gone by next fall. School district must apply again next year to keep program going By DAMIAN MANN PROSPECT - It's been 10 years since the sound of music echoed through the halls of one of Jackson County's smallest school systems. In that period, the school district fought to stay alive while enrollment declined to just 183 students this year. Now - thanks to an infusion of state education money to help small schools - Prospect's parents and students have something to sing about. The school has hired a music teacher, something it hasn't had since 1991. But, like many dreams, this one may be short-lived. Prospect will have to apply for the money again next year, making the program's future uncertain. "I'll give them everything I've got for the year," says Al Zellar, who has been hired to teach music under a one-year contract. A former music teacher at Eagle Point School District, Zellar said he is up to the challenge and hopes he can impart something to the students. "I want them to find the music that's inside them and let it come out." Because many of the students have never had formal music training, Zellar's classes in band, guitar, choir and music appreciation begin with the basics. His students - mostly middle school and high school age students - don't seem to mind as he turns the usually dreary exercise of learning notes into a lively experience. "I think it's really fun," said Amber Norton of Prospect. "We learned tons of different notes and tons of different stuff." The 12-year-old received a guitar for Christmas and has wanted to learn to play it ever since. "I couldn't because we didn't have anything like this (the class) before," she said. After just a week, Amber feels she has made progress. "My family's so happy." Zellar's students seem enthusiastic about the class, despite the little problem of not having enough instruments, although he did find some in storage, collecting dust. "We found a big bass drum in the bus barn," said Zellar. The 4-foot-tall instrument was cleaned and now sits ready to be thumped. Some of the instruments have been sent in for repair, but overall there aren't enough for the children. "We're asking the community if they have any instruments to donate," said Zellar. In the meantime, students get to learn the principles of music, from reading notes to understanding rhythms. Zellar hopes to put on a winter concert to give parents a chance to see how the students are progressing With the help of two German foreign exchange students, Zellar will give training in singing Latin and German classical songs. Even so, his students have a lot to learn. "It will take a while before the kids play duets." Last week, they were practicing, and Maeghan Scriber of Prospect was having a hard time playing a note on her flute. To encourage the 12-year-old, Zellar said, "It's harder to play long notes on the flute than any other instrument." Amber, a bit out of breath, was relieved. "That makes me feel good." Mike Lahman, 14, of Trail, has played trumpet for two years at schools in Shady Cove and Trail and was worried he wouldn't be able to continue learning music in Prospect. "This class is really cool," he said. Candi Lewis, 12, of Prospect, said, "I've never touched music before. It's sort of hard, but he (Zellar) is teaching us to do it." Candi says its been fun learning to play the saxophone. "We already had the instrument," she said. "We didn't have anything like it (the class) before." In addition to the music program, Zellar also teaches two computer classes. Despite the challenge of trying to find enough instruments for his students, Zellar said he is up for the challenge. "It keeps you young to try and find a way to meet the students' needs." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.