Oregon High School Senior Profiles, Oregon, Wisconsin

Musically-inclined OHS senior Zach Prior started dance lessons when he was in first grade and trumpet lessons in fifth grade. So when chorus was offered in 6th grade, he found a way to fit it into his class schedule. “I really enjoyed singing right away,” states Prior. “It was fun to be able to make music without needing anything else but your voice.”

After six years of choral experience, Prior continues to enjoy singing in the concert choir at OHS. Prior has performed in several OHS musicals, including the 2008 production of "Grease", and states he prefers singing songs from musical theater. “This type of music is more challenging and has more variety then pop music and there is more focus on technique,” reports Prior. “It also has a good range for my voice.”

Prior enjoys listening to a wide variety of popular and classical performers. “By listening to singers with different styles you can hear their differences and similarities, and it gives you an idea of what it means to be a singer. This has really changed the way I interpret and perform music,” Prior explains.

Prior was able to experience singing with a variety of male performers first hand when he was elected to perform with the WCDA Men’s All-State Honors Choir his junior year of high school. Prior ranks this opportunity as one of his most memorable choir experiences and is looking forward to participating in another men’s choir workshop in January, 2009.

Prior’s parents, Charles and Mary Prior, have always been supportive of his musical interests. Prior sites his mother, a fifth grade band teacher at Rome Corners in Oregon, as being influential in determining his career choice of music education. “We talk about the methods she uses to teach new students how to play music. It makes me think about how I can convey what I know about music in a way a new student could understand and enjoy,” states Prior. Participation in choir has established a strong knowledge base for sight-reading music and in music theory, which has further strengthened Priors interest in music education.

Prior is currently involved in marching band, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, dance, track, National Honor Society, and is a member of the Order of the Arrow in Boy Scouts.

Class of 2009
Zach Prior
Musically-inclined OHS senior Zach Prior started dance lessons when he was in first grade and trumpet lessons in fifth grade. So when chorus was offered in 6th grade, he found a way to fit it into his class schedule. “I really enjoyed singing right away,” states Prior. “It was fun to be able to make music without needing anything else but your voice.” After six years of choral experience, Prior continues to enjoy singing in the concert choir at OHS. Prior has performed in several OHS musicals, including the 2008 production of "Grease", and states he prefers singing songs from musical theater. “This type of music is more challenging and has more variety then pop music and there is more focus on technique,” reports Prior. “It also has a good range for my voice.” Prior enjoys listening to a wide variety of popular and classical performers. “By listening to singers with different styles you can hear their differences and similarities, and it gives you an idea of what it means to be a singer. This has really changed the way I interpret and perform music,” Prior explains. Prior was able to experience singing with a variety of male performers first hand when he was elected to perform with the WCDA Men’s All-State Honors Choir his junior year of high school. Prior ranks this opportunity as one of his most memorable choir experiences and is looking forward to participating in another men’s choir workshop in January, 2009. Prior’s parents, Charles and Mary Prior, have always been supportive of his musical interests. Prior sites his mother, a fifth grade band teacher at Rome Corners in Oregon, as being influential in determining his career choice of music education. “We talk about the methods she uses to teach new students how to play music. It makes me think about how I can convey what I know about music in a way a new student could understand and enjoy,” states Prior. Participation in choir has established a strong knowledge base for sight-reading music and in music theory, which has further strengthened Priors interest in music education. Prior is currently involved in marching band, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, dance, track, National Honor Society, and is a member of the Order of the Arrow in Boy Scouts.	Nina Axelsson Jake Behling Ariana Bonsett-Veal Nicole Cunningham Monica Dahl Toni Hale Molly Hayman Alli Holznecht Breanna Huston Kaleb Karstetter Tayler O'Donnell Jeff Oemichen Alyssa Ottum Cerina Partridge Zach Prior Rachel Smith Statia Swenson Brooke Vander Wegen

Submitted by Peggy Hayman Oregon Choral Boosters