Alan was a gentle giant. A young man of only 17 when he and his best friend Shane Duncan both died as a result of a tragic automoblile accident near their homes in Milan. They were in the prime of their lives - one black and the other white, who loved their families and friends, and were inseparable as they grew to adolescence.

Alan stood 6' 3" and was of stout build. Instead of sports, Alan chose another path -- music. He loved to sing; his voice was maturing and he was becoming an exceptional tenor. He sang in his church choir, the Progressive Baptist Church in Davenport. He sang in several choirs at Rock Island High School but was a proud member of Chamber Choir. Alan was taking voice lessons and six months before he died, he won a prestigious Martin Luther King award for music. Alan and his music were of great inspiration to others.

He was involved with the Quad City Arts summer arts league project with many of our area's most talented students. Alan performed at his finest -- singing and dancing -- a real ham with a God-given gift to make people smile. (Click on the photo.)

Alan was an active member of the Scott County Family Y. He was often there as a volunteer or just working out. He was becoming a true renaissance man in every sense of the word.

The music scholarship(s) to be established in his memory are not just for graduating seniors of Rock Island High School who go on to study music in college. They will also be awarded to seniors from throughout the bi-state area who are active with their respective church choir programs, are studying music in school and plan to continue their studies in music at the college level.

Alan's parents, Alan, Sr. and Martha Spears are committing ongoing memorials for their son to the Rock Island Music Association. It was this parent group who decided to create a lasting memorial in the form of a music scholarship for Alan Spears, Jr. It is a fitting tribute as Alan was all about helping and caring for others.

For more information, please write to the Rock Island Music Association, (RIMA), at P.O. Box 5111, Rock Island, IL 61204-5111. See our Website at www.risd41.org/ri/organizations/rima. You may also contact the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, 111 East Third Street, Davenport, IA 52801 or by dialing (319) 326-2840. Their e-mail address is comfoun@netexpress.net and the Website is www.cfgrb.org.

"Researchers have found that during pre-school years children demonstrate very positive attitudes toward many kinds of music. This is an ideal time to capitalize on their open, accepting responses and introduce them to music from a wide range of genres, styles, and cultures." Wendy Sims, Professor of Music Education University of Missouri - Columbia