Dinner benefits music education

When Rebecca French opened Bald Eagle Music Education Station (BEMES) in January of 2011 she had a clear vision in mind: Keep it affordable for those who can pay, and make it available to those who can't. Local business owners Jennifer and TR McCrystal knew that model would be hard to sustain, especially in a down economy. So they jumped in and helped.

Jennifer McCrystal and French share a common bond in their love of music and a desire to make it available for everyone. "I grew up in a small town where there wasn't a local music teacher," said Jennifer, "and my parents couldn't afford lessons." Now she is making sure no children in Sisters have the same experience.

"This school is a real music mecca," said McCrystal.

For the second year, the McCrystals will host a fundraiser at Jen's Garden to raise money to cover some of the tuition and operating costs for BEMES.

"We need to cover some of the expenses to keep it affordable," said McCrystal. "In a music-oriented town like Sisters we just can't let this go."

Rebecca French is a classically trained musician with vast experience teaching all kinds of students in a variety of settings. French accepts students regardless of their limitations or challenges. Special-needs students are always welcome.

Her teaching style emphasizes student creativity, self-motivation and empowerment through music. Over her career she has taught blind and handicapped students as well as students overcoming traumatic experiences. Her love of music coupled with her enthusiasm for teaching allows her to reach her students and help them overcome obstacles and grow as musicians.

One child who received a scholarship a year ago has shown remarkable changes at home and in the classroom. Six years old, in a single-parent home, the child was able to attend BEMES from money raised in an earlier Jen's Garden fundraiser. French worked with the child to establish a sense of commitment and goals she needed to reach before she could move on to another instrument.

"I taught her to set goals like practicing 15 minutes per day. She didn't have a desk, so she put her keyboard on her bed and practiced the best she could," said French.

Now in her second year, and proud of her accomplishments, the child is working with French to set goals for another instrument.

"Now, we'll begin learning how to play a cigar box guitar," said French. "My husband, Jason, makes them for the students. It's a great way to learn the rudiments of the guitar. The earlier knowledge like note names and values will be transferred to the guitar. "

The benefits of this kind of long-term learning for the student are coming out in many ways from improved personal care, increased self-esteem and the ability to pay attention for longer periods of time. "Now, we are able to make eye contact and I've watched this high-energy child learn to channel her energy into her music." With her first year almost over, more funding is needed for the second year. French doesn't want to let this child down.

Currently, 25 percent of French's students receive some kind of financial assistance.

"With the economy at a slow crawl we have to keep this going until times are better," said McCrystal. "We need to support the things that are close to our hearts."

On November 26, Jen's Garden will donate the use of their building, staff and food for the evening. The format for the evening will include complimentary champagne at Jen's Garden at 6 p.m., then a quick tour and performances by some of BEMES students, and then return to Jen's Garden for a fine-dining experience with Chef Ryley Eckersley while being served by BEMES students, aged 6 to 60.

"We'll have performances from classical to surfboard boogie," said French.

To make reservations for the fundraiser contact Jennifer McCrystal at 541-549-2699. Cost for the fine-dining evening is $100, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Bald Eagle Music and their scholarship program.