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http://www.omniture.com --> Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend June 12, 2006 Summer to bring music lessons Grant lets medford offer camp for band, orchestra students By Paris Achen Medford School District elementary and middle school band and orchestra classes will expand to the summer this year as the result of a grant from the Medford Schools Foundation. Hoping to prop up the district's deteriorating elementary and middle school music programs, the foundation awarded the district $850 to offer pupils in grades 6-8 an intense two-week music camp for band and orchestra in August. "One of the foundation's goals is to support programs that have been reduced by declining money," said Tricia Prendergast, foundation member and Medford School Board member. "Music is the program in the district that is hurting the most right now." The camp will include lessons on how to read music, play an instrument and perform with a band or orchestra. "The purpose is to give sixth-graders next year a jump-start on the year with their instruments and give seventh- and eighth-graders who haven't had band or orchestra a chance to learn how to play instruments," said Randy Magallanes, band director at Hedrick Middle School, who applied for the grant with district orchestra teacher Lynn Imhof. Students can register for the camp at their respective schools for a $15 registration fee, which include a music book and a T-shirt. As the result of budget cuts in the past three years, the elementary music program has declined from band, chorus and orchestra classes at all 14 elementary schools to after-school band and orchestra programs at four satellite schools. Participation in elementary band has decreased by 73 percent, and elementary orchestra students has dwindled by 87 percent during the same period. Participation in the middle school music program has also declined because there are fewer elementary pupils to feed into it. "The success of the high school program depends on middle school, and the middle schools depend on the sixth-grade program," said Steve Thickett, foundation member and former band director at North Medford High School. "Band is unique in that it takes years to get to the high school level. If you don't learn by the sixth grade, it's like taking the roots from a tree." More support for the district's music program may be on the way. The Medford School Board is expected to adopt a budget June 20 that earmarks $75,000 of unexpected lottery funds to help revive the sixth-grade music program for at least the next school year. The money will allow after-school band and orchestra to be offered at all district elementary schools, except Ruch Elementary, which has community-led music classes in place. Reach reporter Paris Achen by calling 541-776-4459 or [email protected] . Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy