May 14, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Elizabeth Crockett, a music specialist in the Yamhill-Carlton School district, was awarded the seventh annual Patty Vemer Music Education Appreciation Award at the Oregon Symphony Classical concert Monday, May 10, 2004 at 8 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Music Director Carlos Kalmar announced the awards from the stage and presented Crockett with a certificate and a check for $1,000. In addition, a pre-concert reception for more than 150 music educators at the Heathman Hotel featured guest speaker Vicki Poppen, Arts Education Coordinator for the Oregon Arts Commission.
Crockett has taught band and orchestra to middle school students in the Yamhill-Carlton School District since 1990. In her 14-year tenure, through her unique and compassionate approach to cultivating young musicians, Crockett has transformed a small and struggling music curriculum into a creative and expanding program in which children can develop and display their talent. “Music is more than a job for Liz; it is her way of sharing joy and life. Liz is able to develop self-esteem and sense of worth in each of her students…Liz has done more to positively affect the lives of children than anyone I have known in education,” says Eleanor Bessonette, former principal at Carlton Elementary.
At the two elementary/middle schools and the high school in the district, Crockett expanded the band program and started a string program. She launched an all-district orchestra for grades 3-12 and began a scholarship program for students who cannot afford to participate in the orchestra. Crockett also founded the Carlton Community Orchestra, made up of elementary and high school students as well as community members. Her most recent project involves recording her student orchestra and working with a local ballet company to choreograph dances. The orchestra and ballet company will jointly present a performance featuring the students’ music. “The fact that Liz is willing and eager to make time in her busy life to bring the arts to our community is testimony to her generous spirit,” says Susan Turrell, who nominated Crockett for the Vemer award.
Crockett’s approach to teaching, both in the public schools and with her private Suzuki students, does not include competition. She prefers an orchestra where each child’s musical offering is valued rather than one that focuses on wins and loses. “She has the extraordinary gifts of music, creativity, enthusiasm, and ability to create community with music,” explains Sheri Broderick, the mother of three of Crockett’s violin students. “Without her, Yamhill County would be devoid of the music and joy she instills and creates. Liz recognizes the joy making music brings to the hearts of children and adults alike.”
In addition to Crockett, the Symphony also wishes to recognize the eight outstanding finalists for this year’s Vemer award: Carol Nelson, a music specialist from Corvallis, Oregon; Ronnye Harrison, a music teacher and band director for the Arts and Communication Magnet school in Beaverton; Brian Seed, band director at Summit High School in Bend; Cynthia Hutton, an Associate Professor of Music at Southern Oregon University and the Artistic Director of the Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon; Joe Billera, the band director at Houck Middle School in Salem, Oregon and the director of the Corvallis Youth Symphony; Nita Van Pelt, a music specialist for the Lake Oswego School District and an Orchestra Conductor for the Metropolitan Youth Symphony; Richard M. Long, an orchestra teacher at Churchill and South Eugene High Schools, and the conductor for the Eugene Youth Symphony and Jason Heald, an Associate Professor of Music and the Chairman of the Fine and Performing Arts Department for Umpqua Community College.
The presentation of the Vemer award has become an annual spring Symphony tradition. “We schedule the event at this time of year to say thank you and to show our support to the educators,” says Michael Kosmala, Director of Education and Community Programs. “Given everything that’s going on regarding budget cuts and uncertain futures for arts programs in the schools, we want to give educators an evening to relax and enjoy quality music amongst friends and colleagues from around the state.”
For the last seven years, the Oregon Symphony has recognized excellence in music education with the Patty Vemer Music Educator of the Year award, which was established in the name of Vemer, who served as the Symphony's Education Director for more than 13 years before she passed away in 1997. The honor is awarded to individuals who made significant contributions to the field of music education, their community and have served as a source of inspiration to their students. Past honorees include James Howell, a music specialist from La Grande and former president of the Oregon Music Educator’s Association; Scot Wavra, music teacher at West Linn Elementary School; David Anderson, music teacher at Sunnyside and Sunrise Middle Schools; Glenn Ludtke, Roosevelt High School music educator and Sisters M. John Therese Miller and M. Juliana Monti of Valley Catholic Schools.
