While Jim Scanga is personally gratified to have received a Citation of Excellence Award from his peers, the Farrell Area School District band director hopes his students and the community also will take some pride in it.

"We have a lot of students who want to learn," said Scanga, who was honored by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. "I would never receive an award like this without them."

Scanga added he hopes the award is seen as indicative of the quality of teachers and administrators the district has.

"We've had a lot of difficult things happen here that have resulted in a less than desirable image being presented," he said. "I'm proud of a lot of things here."

Scanga, 48, of Sharpsville, will receive the award April 19 during a three-day PMEA state conference in Philadelphia.

PMEA names one winner from each of the 12 state districts, and alternates the awards each year between elementary, secondary and college music teachers.

Scanga, who represents District 5, is being honored for his work with secondary students.

Travis Weller, who nominated Scanga for the award, said he considers Scanga a role model.

"I just feel he's one of the best," said Weller, band director at Mercer Area High School. "As a person, I don't know too many more classier guys than Jim."

Weller also noted Scanga's ability to nurture quality musicians.

"His kids play really well," Weller said. "He knows his instrument well. He takes that knowledge and his students eat it up."

Scanga starts working with students in fifth grade, when Farrell first offers students the opportunity to play an instrument.

"I really get to know these kids," Scanga said. "I know what interests them. I know how to treat them and get results in a positive way.

"Most of our people here can't afford private lessons, so we have to do it all here. It's not the ideal situation, but I try to deal with it as best I can."

"He's built himself a very nice program and one the community should be proud of," Weller said.

Outside of school, Scanga gives private lessons on the French horn, and is horn instructor at Grove City College. He also plays in the Youngstown Fine Arts Brass, the W.D. Packard Band of Warren, Ohio, the Greenville Symphony Orchestra and the Blue Coat Band of Lawrence County.

"Doing all that helps me to nurture my love of music," said Scanga, who is married to the former Kim Bauer and has two sons. "The college-level work and the private teaching with the performing keeps me excited about teaching. I hope that translates into what I do here."

Scanga is proud of his high school students who have gone onto music careers, and his private students, who have won state recognition.

District 5 is allotted two French horn players a year for the state band, and his private students have filled both slots in 2001 and 2002.

"His (private) students absolutely beat the tar out of everyone in regional band," Weller said.

Scanga said he has gotten to know many of the band directors in Mercer County and believes they are just as worthy of the award as he is.

"I think highly of the other band directors in Mercer County," he said. "I see what they do and it's a high level."