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Wediii iesday, Jwiuw'y 11, 2012 Irondale choir program shmes Chou director receives award for dedication to the program Emma Petermeier Bulletin staff Wediii iesday, Jwiuw'y 11, 2012 Linda E. Andersen/Bulletin submitted photo Choir director Jason Etten rehearses "God Bless America" with students at Irondale High School. Irondale choir director is presented the Paul Harris Fellowship Award at the Rotary Club's December 20 meeting. Left to Right: Rotary club member David Hoel, award recipient Jason Etten, 1 Many music programs throughout the state are struggling, but at Irondale they flourish. Irondale Principal Scott Gengler said he believes Irondale has traditionally always had a strong music program and that they will continue working to keep it strong. He said he would guess that about half of the freshman class coming in tend to take a music class and by the time they reach their senior year, about one -third are still in one. "The retention is great," he said, adding the students really enjoy it. One reason this could be is choir director Jason Etten. Recently, the Rotary Club awarded Etten the Paul Harris Fellowship Award for his dedication to the choral program at Irondale. And Rotary Club member Jeff Benson said they feel he deserves the award. "One way to show you've made a mark is if you can get young men to sing in a choir, and Etten's got a large group," Benson said. Benson said he also agrees with Gengler that the students enjoy choir and are interested in the program. According to Benson, the Paul Harris Fellowship is for individuals who through their actions demonstrate "service above self' - a Rotary ideal. The club likes to honor people that work hard in hopes of creating a better community, and that is why they chose Etten as the recipient. Gengler described the many ways Etten gives back through the music programs. "He always finds ways to assist other staff members and is always open and available." Gengler also said Etten puts on multiple concerts and gets choir groups to sing the national anthem for many community events. Etten is involved in charitable fundraisers and coordinates a district -wide variety show to provide scholarships to students. Etten also directs smaller ensemble groups outside of school. Two of his groups, Guyz Group and the Diva Dozen, were at the Rotary Club meeting for a holiday concert - something Etten had done for many years - when they presented him with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. and another Rotary club After the groups were done singing, just before everyone was about to join in for the member Jeff Benson. sing -along Christmas carols, Benson and another member, David Hoel announced they had an award for Etten. It was a complete surprise, Etten said. "Very few people knew about it, and I wasn't one of them. The kids didn't even know." Etten has been at Irondale for about 13 years and throughout his time there he has seen many great changes in the music program. The numbers, not only in the choral but also in the orchestra and band programs, have continued to grow. Irondale has had to add staff and even another orchestra group to accommodate these musically enthusiastic students. Irondale has four choirs. They have Varsity Choirs that are now split into men's and women's because so many students joined, and they combine grades, nine through 12. They also have a 10th -12th grade women's choir called the Knightingales, and a Concert Choir that is geared towards juniors and seniors.