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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Classic Forums Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Women in Business Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Customer Service Advertise With Us Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map Email Story to a Friend April 15, 2007 Student soloists take center stage By JENNIFER STRANGE for the Mail Tribune Accomplished high school musicians, all Jackson County winners of the District 8 high school vocal and instrumental music competitions, will perform at the sixth annual "Stars on Stage: Celebrating State Soloists." The free community concert begins at 7 tonight at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater in Medford. It is organized by Craterian Performances. "These are kids who excel at music and who go about it in a quiet way," said Maureen Esser, development and communications manager of Craterian Performances. "Our goal is to give them some real public recognition; after all, they're representing Southern Oregon at the state level, just like high school athletes do." The concert also is a great opportunity for the students to test the waters of performance. "We do have some students who are very advanced," said Gary Lovre, co-chairman of the Craterian's Theater Education Committee. "A lot of them are doing major pieces and if getting through the jitters on Sunday helps them compete at state, then that is an additional bonus." Advertisement Performers represent North and South Medford high schools, Ashland High School, Phoenix High School and Crater High in Central Point. One performer is Scott Murray, a 16-year-old junior at Crater High, who has been singing since he was in elementary school. "In sixth grade, I decided I couldn't practice trumpet at home with my mom sleeping, so I figured I'd try choir and I liked it," says the boy with the bass voice. "I discovered I had a gift for singing when I tried out for and got a solo in seventh grade." Murray says he's not too nervous about Sunday's concert because he practices his piece — "Aria" and "Chorus of the Priests" from "The Magic Flute" by Mozart — all the time. That means in the shower, before school, during lunch, in class and wherever else he can squeeze in a note. Whether or not he wins at state, Murray plans to continue singing. "I'd like to be an opera singer," he confesses. "If that doesn't work out, then I can be a music teacher." Each performer rose to the top in district competitions in vocal music, wind instruments, strings or piano and will compete in the State Solo Contest, this year held April 28 at Lewis & Clark College in Portland. Jennifer Strange is a writer living in Central Point. Reach her at [email protected]. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Online Casino Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary