WEST LINN EDUCATOR SCOT WAVRA
RECEIVES ANNUAL MUSIC EDUCATION APPRECIATION AWARD ___________________________________________________________________________________

Portland, Ore. ... Scot Wavra, a West Linn 5th-grade teacher whose unique marimba music project at Willamette Primary has stimulated a community-wide enthusiam for music, is the recipient of the fifth annual Patty Vemer Music Education Appreciation Award. Wavra received the award at the Oregon Symphony Classical concert Monday, April 29, at 8 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Symphony President Tony Woodcock made the announcement from the stage and presented Wavra with a plaque and a check for $1,000. A pre-concert reception for more than 170 music educators featured Woodcock as guest speaker. The reception was hosted by the Symphony and RACC.

"Marimba Fever" began in 1998 when Wavra was inspired by a performance by a group of Bend, Ore., fifth-graders using marimbas (large xylophones with full-length resonators below each bar). "It brought new insights on the amazing ability of children," Wavra said. Determined to start a marimba program at Willamette Primary, he went to work building his own instruments: three soprano and two tenor marimbas, representing approximately 400 hours of work. Over the last four years, he has built 10 more instruments, and more than 150 students and 15 teachers have learned to play and have performed for audiences. Curricular connections have included the areas of science and mathematics, history, culture and writing. Wavra has received an overwhelming number of phone calls, e-mails, letters and personal visits from parents requesting to have their children involved. Due to popular demand, Wavra will start a marimba group for parents this fall.

"My focus has been to bring the students I teach unique opportunities which stimulate an interest in and love for learning," Wavra said. "I'm most excited to see that students are moving to a deeper level of critical thinking. Their desire to persevere, through steep learning curves, has dramatically increased; this has been exciting to watch. I've also observed children deepen their understanding of teamwork while applying what they learn in marimba to other areas of school. Students celebrate the individual talent of members while showing empathy and offering support to those who are struggling."

"Every performance brings an incredible amount of excitement and joy to all who are closely involved with this musical group," Wavra said. According to the Symphony's Director of Education and Community Programs, Michael Kosmala, "Scot's story and the impact he is having on his entire school community is quite remarkable. One only has to listen to his group and look into the eyes of the kids to understand the impact he is having on them. He only discovered the power of music five years ago and ever since has been immersing his students in music through their marimba ensemble."

The Patty Vemer Music Education Appreciation Award was established in the name of Vemer, who served as the Symphony's Education Director for 13 years before she passed away in 1997. The honor is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary commitment and service to children through music education. Past honorees include David Anderson, music teacher at Sunnyside and Sunrise Middle Schools, Glenn Ludtke, Roosevelt High School music educator, Sisters M. John Therese Miller and M. Juliana Monti of Valley Catholic Schools and the Salem-Keizer School District's Richard Bauer.

The Vemer Award Advisory Committee wished to recognize other nominees: Norma Baker, choral director, Franklin High School; Charles Creighton, Music Director, Corvallis Youth Symphony Association; and Diane Sue Penny, strings instructor for the Umpqua Community Youth Orchestras.

Members of the Vemer Award Advisory Committee are: Glenn Ludkte, Peggy Swafford, Randall Vemer, Sister N. Juliana, Sister M. John Therese, Michael Kosmala, Mary Crist, Murry Sidlin, David Anderson and Richard Bauer.