POWERGRAMS

6 ARTS & ATHLETICS Students learn to play stringed instruments in Melvin Jones-Conley's classes at Tuscaloosa's Westlawn Middle School, which is a 2022 Alabama School of Character. Center: Assistant Principal Alphus Shipman, Principal Darlene Atkins and Assistant Principal Fayetta Little. Floor to ceiling, every wall of Melvin Jones-Conley's classroom is a testament to music. Above the lined-up, stand-up bass, cellos, violins and violas are reminders of the scales, fingering rubrics and immortals of symphony, such as Bach and Beethoven. For about 100 sixth to eighth graders in Tuscaloosa's Westlawn Middle School, this is ground zero for success with stringed instruments. Director Jones-Conley isn't so far removed from this setting: The Birmingham native came back to class seven years ago straight from his graduation as a music major at Alabama A&M University. He'd gone to college on a full scholarship after excelling in music classes at Hudson Middle School and G.W. Carver High School. "One day, I just heard some strings playing and I said I wanted in that class," Jones-Conley recalled of his early attraction to music, which led to his becoming concert master in high school and eventually to his career. "I tell my students, 'I went to college and so can you.'" There's a waiting list and strict admission standards to get into the Westlawn stringed instrument classes. Jones- Conley each day teaches six classes of 20 or so students, two at each grade level. Propped on easels are multiple "Essential Technique for Strings" manuals. The young players watch intently as he puts violin under chin and counts off to begin "Ablaze," one of the tunes they are performing during their May 19 annual spring concert. At the back of the classroom, Principal Darlene Atkins taps her toes as she listens and watches the instrument bows go up and down in unison. A musician herself, Atkins claps enthusiastically as the students end their practice session. "I just love it in here," she said. "He has such a passion for what he does. The students love being in his presence and learning from him. Mr. Jones-Conley is awesome." Jones-Conley opens a closet where violins in protective cases are stacked in shelves on both sides. Some students own their violins but most instruments are on loan to them and have been purchased through the years with donations and fundraising drives. Students are allowed to take instruments home for practice, and the instruments are transported to events during the schoolyear: Inevitably there is wear and tear on the music equipment. Last year, Jones-Conley's Westlawn classes received a $2,500 Power to Play grant from the Alabama Power Foundation. The funds allowed the replacement of missing parts and bought new strings, bows, music stands and a cello. "Mr. Jones-Conley is such a dynamic music instructor and the passion for his students is evident," said Alabama Power Community Relations Manager Karen Burklew. "As a musician myself, I am so pleased that Westlawn Middle School students are able to enhance their musical skills with new stringed instruments because I know that music education is highly beneficial for students. Power to Play truly makes a difference in our communities by offering our schools more equitable opportunities." FOUNDATION FUNDING AIDS 'STRING MUSIC' FROM BASKETBALL COURTS TO CONCERT HALLS 6 Jones-Conley PHOTOS BY BILLY BROWN

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