Spring 1999 Award Announcement

Written by Administrator Tuesday, 16 June 2009 21:48

Nathan deLay Conner

    The Cascade Blues Association is pleased to announce that Nathan deLay Conner is the recipient of the Christopher Mesi Memorial Music Scholarship for the first half of 1999.

    Nathan is a freshman at Mt. Hood Community College and is pursuing a degree in Television/ Video Production. Nathan advises that it is his hope to incorporate music and television, such as MTV. "MTV has become an undeniable part of the music culture, and it may provide me with more possibilities in the music industry working with other artists and bands, rather than just as a musician."

    Nathan lists his musical talents as singing and playing bass and guitar. He has been around Blues and Blues musicians most of his life.  Rumor has it that, as a child, he was seen crawling around amongst the guitars at the 9th Street Exit and he even attended the first Rose City Blues Festival. Nathan said that by the time he reached six or seven years old, he had decided that music wasn't for him. Lucky for us, that changed by the time he was a freshman in high school, when he and a group of friends decided to form a band. After a visit to his father, who was living in New Orleans, he carried home his first piece of musical equipment, an old, often-repaired bass amplifier. His mother also encouraged his musical interests by purchasing him a bass guitar and soon afterwards he and his friends had formed their first band.

    Nathan explains that it was in high school that he regained respect for the Blues, "As I read about the bands that I liked, and the styles of music that I listened to, I learned that Blues is a root to most, if not all, of the music that I owned. I also came to find out about the people (and music) that my parents knew that I had never taken time to appreciate such as Jimmy Lloyd Rea, Paul deLay, and Monti Amundson. Much of their playing seemed more like 'my music' than I had expected." As for current and future plans, Nathan is focusing on school and is still playing in a band with friends. He says he is more cautious to have decent material and feels that "the music seems to come together better when the people playing it know enough about the music to play together not just trying to play."

    For those of you who attended the March membership meeting, you had the honor of meeting our award recipient, Nathan Conner. So, I am sure you will all join me when I say, "Congratulations, Nathan and good luck in school and in all of your future endeavors."

Love and Blues
Susan Stewart
CBA Scholarship Committee Chair

Fall 1999 Award Announcement

Written by Administrator Tuesday, 16 June 2009 21:47

Dustin Rose

    Dustin Rose is a recent graduate of Reynolds High School and is currently enrolled and attending Portland State University, with plans to major in vocal music. He has studied music for close to 10 years and has become a versatile musician with training in guitar and piano, as well as maintaining his dedication to singing. If any of you have ever competed in the District or State Solo Competitions, you know it takes severe dedication, an undeniable talent and nerves of steel -and that's before you even start to sing. Dustin not only competed in these distinguished competitions, but took home several top placements and a superior rating. 

    Also of special note, Dustin passed the National Piano Playing Auditions of the National Guild of Piano Teachers, thereby becoming a member. He was also voted most outstanding choral musician his senior year while serving as choir president. Described by one of his high school teachers as a student that "...is able to see the value of perseverance and effort. Not only does Dustin see the value of these things, he puts them into effect in his life ... Dustin is strong in his personal understanding of who he is and what his goals are".

    One of our requirements for the scholarship application is an essay written by the student that helps us get to know the applicant, how they became interested in music, who were their influences, and what their goals for the future are. Dustin writes that his earliest influences come from his Grandmother. "My Grandmother and I would sing songs out of her hymnal. Whenever I went to her house, from the time I stepped through the door, we would head to her piano and spend hours in front of it, going through all of her favorite songs. She truly was and continues to be an inspiration in my life. It is because of this, that I have chosen to make life more enjoyable for others by going into the field of music."

    Dustin has set his future sites on teaching music once he graduates. "I would become a public school teacher and direct a school choir or I will teach private voice lessons. I will also continue in music ministry for my church and even further my musical studio productions. There are countless options within the music field." As you can see, Dustin has the focus and the ambition to keep music an essential part of his future -which is exactly what the Christopher Mesi Memorial music Scholarship was intended for.

    I want to thank Dustin and all the other qualified applicants who bring music info our lives. The number of applications received continually grows each time a scholarship is given out. Thanks to your generous donations at the meetings and events, we have increased the scholarship award from once to twice a year. Your continued support for the Christopher Mesi Memorial Music Scholarship ensures its future growth in providing financial assistance for music students in need.

    For further information regarding the scholarship, please contact Susan Stewart (503) 231-0745 or just keep watching (and reading) your BluesNotes.

Love and Blues
Susan Stewart
CBA Scholarship Committee Chair

Spring 2000 Award Announcement

Written by Administrator Tuesday, 16 June 2009 21:46

    In March, the CBA awarded two Christopher Mesi Memorial Music Scholarships, in the amount of $500.00 each, to two deserving students who are pursuing a college major in music. And our winners are...

Craig Ferguson

    Craig Ferguson, described by his guitar teacher as "someone who has a natural feel for music, a good ear, and a spirit from which his musicality easily flows", is our first winner of the spring 2000 Scholarship. A senior at Sam Barlow High School, Craig plans to attend Mt. Hood Community College in the fall and transfer to the Berklee College of Music, where he will continue his education towards a BA in Performing Arts. He is also an active volunteer at Ethos, Inc., a multicultural music center, where he teaches guitar and has helped organize a benefit concert for disadvantaged youths.

    Craig's focus on music began at age six when he started taking Suzuki piano lessons.  Suzuki teaches the student to play by ear rather than sight.  By age 11, he decided the guitar was what he wanted to play and even though he was fully competent in sight reading, ear training and performing - mostly classical music - he began leaning his musical tastes towards something different. Eric Clapton's album, "Unplugged" was hot on the charts and Craig was introduced into the world of Blues and Blues-Rock. He began to study the great Blues artists such as Big Bill Broonzy, Muddy Waters and Mississippi John Hurt, as well as the rock side of the Blues with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Johnson, and Jimmy Page. By the time Craig turned 17, he was already trying his hand at Jazz and listening to the likes of Coltrane, T. Monk, and his biggest influence, Wayne Shorter. Craig believes that his study of Blues, Rock, Swing and Jazz has made him a well-rounded guitarist and musician and it has helped him to perform with many different types of musicians. After graduation from College, Craig has plans of becoming a working guitarist and explains that he wants to be there supporting other musicians either in the studio or on the road. He says it is a goal of his to not only perform for other artists, but also to work as a composer and a teacher of music.

Rebecca Suzanne

    Our second winner of the spring 2000 scholarship is Rebecca Suzanne.  A music major at Mt. Hood Community College with plans to transfer to Portland State University, Rebecca describes herself as a non-traditional college student who enrolled in college to pursue her life-long dream of a career in music.  Surviving the turbulent life of an adolescent in Indiana, she learned to play the piano and, although she excelled at the keyboards and even won several contests, decided to give it up and create some social change as a community organizer and a Peace Corp Volunteer. After moving to Portland in 1991, Rebecca began taking voice lessons from Suzi Stern and most recently, Mary Kadderly, which turned her onto Jazz and expanded her interest in singing the Blues.  Now, along with being a college student focused on vocal and piano, she contributes her writings to "The Woman's Journal", substitutes as a group leader for Weight Watchers, and has received a recognition award from the Hispanic Service Roundtable for her contribution to the Clara Vista housing project in the Cully neighborhood. She is committed to her musical goals and is excited about making her soul connection in music and sharing that with others through performance and teaching.

Love and Blues     
Susan Stewart     
CBA Scholarship Committee Chair