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February 2000 
Zane musicians work hard to play By Heather Crosby, School and Community Relations Intern | |
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I f you walk into Bruce McCay’s music classroom at Zane Junior High, listen carefully and close your eyes, it would be difficult to tell that you’re listening to students at a junior high, since they perform at high school levels. There are many explanations for why Zane’s music program, consisting of an orchestra, a choir, and four bands, is so successful. One reason is that McCay teaches his students concepts he wasn’t exposed to until he reached college. He also said that the 150 music students at Zane are more successful than students in other programs because, “we isolate each aspect of music fingering, the ability to play, rhythm, and dynamics.” Parents also help contribute to the success of the program through their participation in the booster club, by getting kids to practice, and “by making sure that they get here at 7:30 a.m. for the Jazz Band class,” McCay said. Bruce McCay expects a large commitment from the young musicians, but the rewards are numerous. “Students must take high–level music tests both written and performance–based, practice for 30 minutes six–nights–a–week, know 10 major scales, and learn music theory. The upper–level students have to keep their grades up so they can travel to more than 10 events during the year,” he said. Lauren Wieland, a tenor sax and bassoon eighth–grade player said, “he pushes us hard,” but Connor Pilarowski, an alto sax eighth–grade player said, “it’s worth it when we get to go on tour and play at many events.” Some of the events include the popular Redwood Coast Dixieland Jazz Festival, Eureka’s colorful Rhody Parade, and playing with the Eureka High School Jazz Ensemble. McCay has taught at Zane for nine years and said that one of the most rewarding aspects of his job is seeing students excel in music at high school. “Often Zane’s students end up being first chair and they clearly stand out, even at the high school level.” Nearly 80 percent of Zane’s music students continue a music program at their high school, and McCay noted that 50 percent retention is the state’s average. “I think all students should be involved in the arts. It’s a neat time to be a music teacher when it’s been proven that participating in the arts can raise test scores for students in all subjects,” McCay said. Local music fans can hear both the Zane Jazz Band and Eureka High’s two Jazz Bands at the Redwood Coast Dixieland Jazz Festival. According to Kelly Sanders, festival director, Zane’s Jazz Band will perform on Saturday, March 25 at 11:30 a.m. in the Waterfront Tent and Eureka High Schools’ two Jazz Bands will also perform at 2:30 p.m. in the Municipal Auditorium. Eureka City Schools supports the arts in education and encourages students, teachers, and staff to create, explore, and learn something new from the arts.
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