Contact:
Carl Herko
Vice President, Media & Public Relations
503-416-6347
cherko@orsymphony.org

January 26, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WEST LINN TEACHER DONNA KAGAN
WINS ‘MUSIC EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR’ AWARD

(PORTLAND, Ore.) – Donna Kagan, a music teacher and choir director at West Linn’s Stafford Primary School, is the 2009 recipient of the Oregon Symphony’s Patty Vemer Music Educator of the Year Award, the orchestra announced today.

Kagan, who was raised in England and moved to the United States in 1980, will receive the award at an onstage presentation immediately before the Oregon Symphony’s Jan. 31 concert in downtown Portland’s Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Music Director Carlos Kalmar will present Kagan with a $1,000 prize to be used for music education at Stafford Primary School.

“I am very humbled to be nominated for this award. I just do what I love,” Kagan said. “I’ve always wanted to meet Carlos Kalmar but never expected it would be in this manner.”

Kagan has held teaching positions on the East Coast as well as in Oregon and has been  preparatory director of the Oregon Children’s Choir & Youth Chorale and the Oregon Music Educators Association All State Elementary Honor Choir. 

At Stafford, part of the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, Kagan directs two choirs with more than 100 members, several student musicals and the summer music and drama camp for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. Her choirs perform at area nursing homes, and the senior choir was recently invited to sing at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall for the Metropolitan Youth Symphony’s holiday concert.  She also serves as associate director of the Pacific Youth Choir.

“Donna has added strength and grace to our staff because she has clear, child-centered goals, strong character, a sharp intellect and an inquiring mind,” said West Linn-Wilsonville Deputy Superintendent Jane Stickney. “She is a stellar music professional in the highest sense of that word.” 

Created in memory of Patty Vemer, an inspirational leader and director of music education at the Symphony for more than 13 years, the award honors those who have made significant contributions to music education and their community and who have served as an inspiration to their students.

“In these tough economic times it is very important to value what you have and to plan ahead to maintain your assets,” said Monica Hayes, the Oregon Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement Program director. “This is an award that recognizes the hard work that goes into developing musical awareness and talents in our young and supports its sustainability.”

For the past 13 years, the Oregon Symphony has recognized excellence in music education with the Patty Vemer Music Educator of the Year Award. Past honorees include Doree S. Jarboe, choral director at Portland’s Grant High School;  G. Douglas Bundy, band director at Aloha High School; “Allen” Barber, band director at South Medford High School; Brian Seed, band director at Summit High School in Bend; Elizabeth Crockett, a music educator from the Willamette Valley; James Howell, a music specialist from La Grande and former president of the Oregon Music Educator’s Association; Scot Wavra, music teacher at Willamette Primary School in West Linn; 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.

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CONTACT:
Carl Herko
Vice President, Media & Public Relations
(503) 416-6347
cherko@orsymphony.org