ChildrenSong Lifts Their Voices to Aid Peers in Oregon
January 4, 2008
ChildrenSong of New Jersey recently recorded a treble arrangement of Elton
John's Rocket Man to accompany a children's book about legendary
runner Steve Prefontaine from Coos Bay, Oregon, who died in the
1970s.
The proceeds
of the book and accompanying CD will be put into a special fund for for the
Coos Bay School District to fund music and physical education programs that
are threatened by budget cuts. Author Bree Donovan told the kids that
Prefontaine was not only an exceptional runner; he was an exceptional human
being.
The kids learned that, although the demands of his rigorous running
schedule kept him in perpetual motion, one of Pre's personal priorities was
to work with children. He continually encouraged them to find their passion
and achieve their personal best. Pre's most well-known quote, “To give
anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift,” resonates with
children and adults today.
During his track career, Prefontaine earned
seven National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles, a
fourth-place Olympic 5K finish in 1972, and numerous other prestigious
American titles from 2,000 to 10,000 meter races.
The book and CD are
slated to be released in the spring of 2008. The singers ranging in age
from 12 to 18 enjoyed the experience of recording this song for the benefit
of the music program in the Coos Bay School District.
