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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW A pond for all people ... Guest Opinion: The lure of student loans: how to avoid insufferable debt ... Oregon judge under investigation for refusing to perform gay marriages ... A pond for all people ... Guest Opinion: The lure of student loans: how to avoid insufferable debt ... Oregon judge under investigation for refusing to perform gay marriages ... Fostering passion South Medford grad says school's music program was instrumental in directing his future Whether it's singing in his high school choir or helping out a friend, 18-year-old Micah Jones has learned that sometimes the best — and least expected — rewards in life come from following your passion. Comment By Paris Achen MailTribune.com By Paris Achen Posted Jun. 5, 2011 at 12:01 AM Updated Jun 6, 2011 at 10:02 AM By Paris Achen Posted Jun. 5, 2011 at 12:01 AM Updated Jun 6, 2011 at 10:02 AM » RELATED CONTENT About this series --> As budget cuts threaten to downsize or erase school arts programs around the nation, we spotlight Jackson County high school graduates whose lives have been irrevocably shaped by school music and t... » Read more X About this series As budget cuts threaten to downsize or erase school arts programs around the nation, we spotlight Jackson County high school graduates whose lives have been irrevocably shaped by school music and theater classes. The series continues through Tuesday. • She moves to a natural rhythm • Drama Dreams • Class of 2011 Valedictorians » Social News Whether it's singing in his high school choir or helping out a friend, 18-year-old Micah Jones has learned that sometimes the best — and least expected — rewards in life come from following your passion. Jones, who graduates from South Medford High School on June 11, didn't plan on founding a rock band when he and others formed Apple Siders to help friend Sean Siders record a CD for his senior project last year. Siders, a vocalist, recruited Jones, Jones' brother, Elijah, and South Medford students Mitchell Winters and Bryce Miller to serve as his backup band. "After that, we were the backup band at a talent show," Jones said. "Then, we started playing other gigs." Now the five-member band is in talks to possibly open for Chris Isaak July 30 at the Britt Festivals in Jacksonville. The opportunity comes as Jones and Miller are poised to head off to college next fall. "We've never taken ourselves very seriously, but now, we are getting all these opportunities," Jones said. "We are going to try to utilize those opportunities the best we can over the summer." Jones, who sings and plays guitar, will study music this fall at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles on a $32,000 annual school scholarship. Jones plans to study pop or modern music performance. "I'm really into composition, too," Jones said. "I'm looking forward to college to sift those interests out into what I really want to follow." South Medford's music program was pivotal in grooming him for his band and his music scholarship, he said. He has participated in the school's choir program for the past four years and starred in multiple school productions, including a lead role as gambler Sky Masterson in "Guys and Dolls," the high school's inaugural production in its newly built theater on Cunningham Avenue. "I cannot ever imagine my life without being in (choir)," Jones said. "It's kind of been an anchor for me throughout high school." The seeds for Apple Siders also were sowed at South Medford. After playing graduation parties, backyard gigs and even a baby shower, the band landed regular stage spots at Ashland's Tease and Alex's Plaza Restaurant and Bar. His band had a stroke of luck one night last winter while playing at Tease. A couple visiting Ashland from Alaska left Apple Siders an unexpected gift. "They talked to us during the break between sets," Jones recounted. "They liked it a lot and were very generous in their support of us." After the performance, the band found a $2,500 check from the couple in their tip jar. "We used that (money) to record a CD over winter break," Jones said. Jones comes from a musical family. His mother, Melinda, sings; his father, Hal, South Medford's assistant principal, sings and plays the guitar. The couple met when Hal, then a student at California State University, attended a high school musical in which both his sister and Melinda were performing, Jones said. The family members have led the worship service at their church, Jacksonville First Presbyterian. Family gatherings often included singing around campfires in the Joneses' backyard. "We are kind of like the von Trapp family," said Micah Jones, referring to the Austrian family that inspired "The Sound of Music." His parents supported his interest in music but also used his passion to instill a work ethic in Jones. He started learning to play the guitar in the sixth grade. His first guitar was a "no-name classical guitar you might play in elementary school," he said. He did yard work in his neighborhood to earn money for his first new instrument, a $400 Ibanez electric guitar. He gave lessons to earn money for his current guitar, a $2,200 electric Gibson Les Paul. Like many budding musicians, his dream is to be famous. But he keeps an open mind about the future, he said. "This is my philosophy: Go in without a plan because No. 1, you won't be let down, and No. 2, you will be open to a lot more opportunities you probably wouldn't have been open to had you been fixed on a certain road," he said. You can see Jones and the rest of Apple Siders July 6 at Medford's Bear Creek Park and July 11 and Ashland's Lithia Park. For a video of the group, see www.myspace.com/applesiders . By Paris Achen MailTribune.com By Paris Achen Posted Jun. 5, 2011 at 12:01 AM Updated Jun 6, 2011 at 10:02 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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