Nathan Paulsen - 2009 Christopher Mesi Scholarship Winner
At the September Monthly Meeting, the Cascade Blues Association was proud to announce Nathan Paulsen as their 2009 Christopher Mesi Scholarship winner. Nathan, a recent graduate of Beaverton High School, played a significant role in his school’s music department. While there, he performed in the Wind Ensemble on euphonium, horn, and trumpet, and performed in the Concert Band on trombone and tuba. He was also a member of the Marching Band, played in the Pit Orchestra for three spring musicals, the Jazz Band, Brass Ensemble, and the school Pep Band. Beaverton High’s Director of Bands, Josh Head, described Nathan as a leader with raw talent and a drive to succeed. He wrote of his “natural ability as a teacher, and has, on many occasions, lead groups of younger students through difficult passages of music with patience and maturity beyond his years”. Nathan’s tutelage and vision transformed the schools brass ensemble “from a fledgling group to a frequent performer at community events, school events, and on local radio”. As a senior, Nathan developed, and directed, The Beaver Band, a student-directed band to play at assemblies and other venues not covered by the regular school bands. He would organize gigs, schedule practices, and was in charge of getting the equipment in place. The band will continue on, so Nathan has left his imprint on the school’s music department.
Nathan described the school’s new band director as “the single most influential person in my life. Lots of people make fun of me for this, but I wish to emulate him in as many ways as possible”. He further said, “to him, teaching music isn’t a job, it’s his calling, a way of life. And through him I have realized that I have that same calling and wish to follow in his footsteps”. As for Nathan’s future in music? With his $ 500 scholarship, he will be attending the University of Oregon’s School of Music. His goal is to be a high school band director and “teach and help instill in other young people a love for music” like he has developed. We wish him well as he carries on the mission of the CBA, which is preserving, supporting and promoting music.
-- Merry Larsen
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Joy is the fourth recording from previous Blues Music Award nominated band Root Doctor. Hailing from Lansing, Michigan, this outfit continues to release some extra greasy, soulful blues that has enough bite to grasp your nerve endings with ecstasy. Front man Freddie Cunningham’s voice delivers first rate performances whether it be funky, soulful or down in the alley blues and he is backed by artists that make everything on the disc come to life.
