Volunteer Teachers Talk About Why They Do It

Note to all volunteer teachers, current and past. We are full-on into a campaign to recruit more volunteer teachers for the school, with the hopes of hitting 100 teachers by the end of 2011. We have 66 now. We feel the goal is realistic. Would you please put a few words down on this blog (and allow me to use them in this campaign) that you think best describe what made you do this volunteer work, AND what made you want to keep doing it? Thanks very much for your time and your talents!!!! –Frank Graffeo, Executive Director

Here’s a link to our main website with some video of volunteers talking about their experiences: http://www.joyofmusicschool.org/index.php/spotlight-on-teachers/

ABC Television’s “Secret Millionaire” features Joy of Music School

In April 2010 the School got a call from a person claiming to be a documentary film producer interested in sending a volunteer into our organization and documenting everything she experienced. After talking it over, Executive Director Frank Graffeo and Director of Music Education Julie Carter agreed to the project, mostly because the producer was fairly sure the School would get national exposure when the show aired. They figured national exposure would bring opportunities for the Joy of Music School. In June, after a lot of preparation, meetings, arrangements and organization, a large video and technical crew finally arrived at the building. The pre-arranged volunteer, Dani, arrived and was given a tour by Frank Graffeo, as cameras rolled, mics listened and the director—huddled over four video monitors in a studio—orchestrated tactical camera angles to his photographers in real time over wireless headsets. It was a big production! As Dani encountered students, parents, staff and volunteers for a full day, she got a very good picture of what we do and how we do it. She cleaned instruments with Julie Carter, assisted in a general music class with our youngest students, and spent some bonding time with a few of our older, college-bound students. Dani returned later in the week for a final recap and farewell, and that’s when the unexpected happened: She confessed to us, cameras rolling, that she was in our midst under false pretenses, that in fact she was not the newly arrived struggling mom she claimed she was. She told those gathered in the room that she’s actually a millionaire, a successful businesswoman and author. Her goal was to experience the work we do firsthand, and to show her appreciation for the good we are doing in the community. Then she presented the School with a check for $40,000. We all burst into tears of joy, hugging and celebrating along with our surprise benefactor.

After Dani said her farewells, the producer revealed that the crew, staff, technicians and director were with ABC Television and that they were shooting a new program called “Secret Millionaire.” We were doubly floored when we learned that Dani’s act of extreme generosity and appreciation would be aired to millions of viewers in prime time on national television.

We are very grateful to Dani, and to the good people at ABC Television. This donation made a big difference at the Joy of Music School. With that gift, we were able to finish the year 2010 within 1% of our budgeted goals. Without this gift, we’d have finished badly in the red, and might have faced cutting programs and services. That kind of support, coming at the time it did, means lots of kids meeting with lots of volunteer teachers, and the shining prospect of even more to come. Thank you, ABC! Thank you, Dani!

The program aired on ABC Television on March 6, 2011.

Here’s the episode online http://abc.go.com/shows/secret-millionaire/video-detail/featured/pl_PL5565359

click to donate

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Star Student Receives Scholarship To Leading Jazz Program

Pianist Taber Gable

Long-time Joy of Music School student, Taber Gable, 18, a December graduate of West High School, is looking forward to entering college next fall. Currently studying jazz piano with JoMS volunteer teacher and jazz legend Jerry Coker, UT Music Professor Emeritus, Taber has distinguished himself in countless ways as a performer and emerging artist. His prodigious talent has brought him recognition and acclaim from his peers, jazz experts and audience members alike.

In the summer of 2009, Taber attended the Jamie Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop in Louisville, Kentucky, thanks to support from the Geffen Foundation and from the Joy of Music School. While he was in Louisville Taber learned of the prestigious jazz program at the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, Connecticut. Once he got back to Knoxville following the jazz camp, Taber applied for admission to the Hartt School, and was honored to be invited to audition for the program in December 2009 in Hartford.

His glee was short-lived, because a major hurdle stood between him and this opportunity of a lifetime. The cost of the trip to Hartford for the audition was much more than he or his family could afford. Lacking the resources for such a journey, but determined not to let this slip away, Taber’s mother, Ronda Mostella, appealed to the Joy of Music School for assistance.

After hearing from Ronda, Executive Director, Francis Graffeo, and Music Director, Julie Carter alerted the School’s board about the problem. Upon hearing of this dilemma, Board President-Elect, Kurt Weiss, a well-traveled businessman, immediately jumped into action, donating his frequent flyer miles, and booking airline tickets to Hartford for Taber and his mother. He also provided a hotel room with his hotel reward points, and sweetened the pot by arranging for limo transportation round trip from the airport to the hotel, paying for that out of his pocket. In addition, other board members contributed money to help cover dining and other expenses during Taber’s and Ronda’s stay in Hartford.

Taber’s tale of the audition describes the nervousness you might expect, but also some moments that surprised him. Aside from the fact that this was Taber’s first ride on an airliner and first ride in a limousine, his head was spinning at the opportunity to play for a panel that might determine his musical future. He reports that once he started playing, faculty members were hastily called in to play with him during his audition. Later that day that some Hartt Jazz students eagerly invited him to jam with them at a gig that evening, for which they rented him a Fender Rhodes keyboard. He said the gig was a blast, and he made some new and very talented friends. Needless to say, Taber made a big impression.

Taber’s talents indeed made a big impression on everyone at the Hartt School of Music, and especially on the admissions and scholarship committee. We recently learned that Taber has granted the first ever full four-year tuition Jazz scholarship to the Hartt School of Music. Taber’s circumstances, plus the high cost of tuition and expenses at the University of Hartford dictate that he will need all that support and more. We are working hand in hand with Ronda to secure grants, gifts and other support for all the other expenses, namely books, housing, food, clothing, fees, insurance and more. We continue to be proud of Taber, and all he has worked so hard to accomplish. Plus, he has the best kind of support there is—a determined, resourceful mom! Best of  luck, Taber!

Volunteer Opportunities – Musical – And Not So Musical

What makes the Joy of Music School unique? Volunteers. Other organizations utilize volunteers, some to a high degree. But this School literally runs on volunteers. But not all volunteers here are musicians.

Teachers

It’s no secret that all of the private music lessons the School provides, over 100 each week, are taught by volunteer teachers. Some volunteers are professional music teachers and performing musicians; some are students at the University of Tennessee. Most, though, are everyday people who have a background in musical training and a passion for music, plus a desire to share those with others. If you have musical training, fundamental knowledge of music theory, understand how your voice or instrument works, and a strong desire to pass this knowledge along to the next generation, you have the basic components of a volunteer teacher. Toss in a little love for working with kids, and you’re well on the right path. All we ask is a half an hour a week.

Strong, Caring Hands

Not everyone has a talent for music or the knack for working with kids. But they might still have the desire to help in some way. For example, the School recently received a much needed facelift, made possible by some very gracious and generous donors. Before the painting could begin, though, furniture, cabinets, libraries, file drawers, pictures, chairs, computers, tables and a host of other items had to be removed from the rooms. This included two rooms packed to the brim with musical instruments. These items required strong yet caring hands to go from one room to another without damage. It was volunteers (most them non-musicians) who provided all the strength, skill and grace needed to successfully move literally tons of items between rooms during the three-phase renovation process. If not for the volunteers, the School’s meager staff of two full-time and three part-time employees simply would not have been able to do all the required work. There are plenty of opportunites like this throughout the year. Let us know if you’d like to help.

I’ll Fold, You Stamp

When the School sends out fundraising letters and other literature to keep the community informed of our presence, progress and needs, a “Mailing Party” is organized. The thousands of pages that need to be printed, collated, folded, stuffed, labeled, stamped and sorted requires sharp minds and tough fingertips, but does not require any musical training. For folks who enjoy working closely with others and immediate gratification, volunteering to help with a Mailing Party can be a perfect fit!

Dirty Work

We are a School with property to care for. The parking lot and landscaped grounds require TLC just like our students. Volunteers are again an invaluable resource when it comes to helping with lawn care and grounds maintenance. There’s no audition, and if you can’t carry a tune in a bucket, you might still be able to carry a bucket. That’s where you can fit in! The School is responsible for approximately 500 feet of fence line and 400 feet of grass-lined sidewalk, also known as the “parkway.” While the beautiful landscaping–rosebushes, laurels, trees and groundcover– intensify the beauty of the School, this is East Tennessee, and weeds are very happy here. It takes a few groundskeeping parties per year to sweep the parking lot, weed the beds, remove deadwood, trim bushes, keep the vines in check, and various other tasks, to keep the School looking beautiful and inviting for its students, the community it serves … and, of course, all of our wonderful volunteers.

Spring Recital At the Bijou Theatre

On Sunday, May 15, 2011 Joy of Music School students once again descend on the historic Bijou Theatre for the annual spring recital. All the practicing and rehearsing in preparation for the big event is underway.  Teachers and students are focusing their efforts on the best performance possible. Rising star songwriter and singer Logan Murrell will drop in for a recital-ending participatory musical experience. Wow!  That same evening, at 7:00 p.m., Logan performs benefit concert on the same Bijou stage.

Click here for more information.

School Year Opens in Renovated Joy of Music School

In the spring of 2009, a plan was formed to renovate the Joy of Music School, with the overall goal to give the School a “facelift” to benefit the students, staff and volunteers who visit the building every day. View the video showing “during and after” shots:

Funds were raised from four very generous private donors totaling $49,000. The work was completed in late August. The list of items completed in the renovation is impressive:
- Removed old wallpaper (4,836 sq ft)
- Removed existing base moldings (1,680 lf)
- Removed existing trim (5,100 lf)
- Removed old carpet (4,992 sq ft)
- Re-plastered walls (4,836 sq ft)
- Scraped, taped, & spackled walls (9,792 sq ft)
- Applied primer/sealer on walls (14,628 sq ft)
- Painted 2 coats of paint on walls (14,628 sq ft)
- Installed new flat trim (610 lf)
- Repaired, caulked, & puttied original 6” base (410 lf)
- Caulked all original door frames (30)
- Applied 2 coats of paint on all trim, door frames & wood base
- Installed new Sound Advice carpet tile (4,992 sq ft)
- Installed new vinyl cove base (1,680 lf)
- Turn old storage area into second musical instrument room
Due to intensive cost controls, in-kind donations from vendors, and proactive management of expenses, we are happy to report that these renovations came in under budget, allowing for the completion of these additional items:
- Primed & painted all shelves in supply room & closets
- Replaced damaged acoustical ceiling tiles (41)
- Built troughs to conceal exposed wires
- Built & painted new shelves for instruments in new expanded instrument rooms
- Installed thresholds on mechanical room & main room exit doors
- Re-hung all posters / pictures
- Installed used door on existing frame in mechanical room
- Installed in-ceiling sound proofing material in selected studios
- Installed weather stripping on doors of selected sound proofed studios
- Installed door guards in restrooms (4)
- Installed hand disinfectant dispenser at main entrance
- Installed new sump pump on exterior of rear wall to control flooding problems. That project installation included removing 12” x 14” of concrete, setting base, running power from main panel, running 100’ of 1” drain pipe, cutting black top & burying drain pipe in walkway, resetting blacktop, and installing metal screen box around sump pump for security.

In addition to the work completed by the contractors, these items were accomplished by the JoMS staff, further improving the environment and ability to service the students:
- Reorganized the placement of staff and teaching areas to maximize student learning
- Reorganized and inventoried the instruments in the newly expanded the instrument rooms (in progress)
- Reorganized and relocated the music library, giving better access to students / teachers (in progress)
- Reorganized and relocated the staff offices for more streamlined and effective management
- Purged many old items that needed disposal, clearing more area for teaching areas and new organized space.

The Joy of Music School staff was impressed, prompting one to comment, “I think the remodel is a breath of fresh air in the school. It will create a strong subliminal environmental “boost” for our students and it has already created a very prominent and beneficial improvement, both aesthetically and functionally, for the staff and volunteer teachers. As adult participants in the school, it is extremely encouraging to see the gracious support that is seen through this project.”
BUILDING – NEXT STEPS
This renovation is a dramatic improvement for the Joy of Music School. However, as owners of the building, there are several additional items that still need to be addressed to reduce maintenance time and expense, and insure the future value of the building.
- Roof repair / replacement

o Major patch/fix problem areas = est. $7,400
o Total roof replacement = est. $41,000

Comcast Cable Running Joy of Music School Promos

Hi all,

 

Comcast continues to run 30-second general PSA spots for the School on all 45+ Comcast stations, including all digital, analog and HD channels, ongoing, year-round!

 

This comes at no cost to to the Joy of Music School via the generosity of Comcast Cable.  Also, Comcast will run a longer spot (which we have, thanks to Tom Backus of Jupiter Entertainment) for Video-on-Demand customers who can click to learn more about the School.

 

This is a generic spot and can run for the whole year. Every month Comcast builds a new schedule, and our spots will be built into that.

 

Every month Comcast will produce a report for us. Russell said it could be that in a given month we would get 1,000 spots, then the next month 500 or perhaps another month 2,000 spots, depending on other nonprofits’ events and the like. They might reduce our generic run periodically to make room for time-sensitive events for other nonprofits they are promoting.

 

Russell says Comcast has run almost $2.8 million worth of PSA’s for local nonprofits.

 

Thank you to Kristi Reynolds, who initially spoke with Russell about this! You rule, Kristi!!

 

A very big thank you to Tom Backus and Jupiter Entertainment.  Tom’s been down here shooting at the School, and back at his office editing and perfecting video, stills, music and voiceovers for us. Wow. That’s a guy who believes in the power of music!

 

And a very big THANK YOU, to Russell Byrd and COMCAST!!!!!

 

Frank Graffeo

Executive Director

 

P.S. if you want to see the 30-second spot, Tom Backus has posted it on YouTube:

Summer Reminiscence of a Joyful Year

Joy of Music School Administrator, Barbara Coates, put her thoughts down in an essay early this summer. Here’s what was on her mind:

When I joined the team at the Joy of Music School, I was enthusiastically drawn to the School’s mission of providing music to financially disadvantaged children. But, as is usually the case in a not-for-profit organization, the mission statement is not always able to elucidate a complete snapshot of the student’s experience (or their family’s) with an organization. At the School, music is the beginning, but it is also the vehicle to so much more.

After the beginning of the school year in August, I quickly learned that the ½-hour music lesson provided to each student is only one portion of what each family receives from its involvement with the School. After a few weeks getting to know the families, it became apparent that each ½-hour time slot became more than a lesson; it was a window into a visit. Through the course of the school year, I experienced parents visiting with other parents, children making friends with other children, and my developing respect for and friendship with the families. This natural by-product of their time spent the School is truly a hidden and endearing aspect of the School’s program. These families, many of whom have been attending the Joy of Music School for years, create a social structure in our lobby. They get comfortable with their lesson time, on their day of the week and with their acquaintances who quickly become friends. Each week sees some of them eager to catch up with their friends and visit with the School’s staff. What joy!

In some instances, the lobby atmosphere has enabled some relationships to further develop outside of the school setting into deepening friendships. It has also fostered an atmosphere of families not only helping one another, but also helping me and the staff. There are families with language barriers who have become friends and are helping each other learn a new language. There are mothers who have specific challenges and needs who are looking to other families for advice and mentoring. There are older children who are guiding and helping the younger children. There is any amount of hands willing to help me when I ask for assistance. The School has borne witness to impromptu crochet classes, homework helping, envelope stuffing and serious competitions of UNO card games. Families are also occasionally presented with opportunities to attend other cultural events in the area. Tickets to concerts, plays and musical performances, which have been generously donated, have enhanced the lives of the School’s students and their families.

With so much goodwill, it is no wonder at the success of the Joy of Music School. The culmination of the past academic year might generally be considered to have been the recital at the Bijou Theatre. But for me, an equally important milestone was the baking of birthday cupcakes by one mother for another mother and the ensuing celebratory singing, sharing and general festive feeling. They were sad that their year and their weekly time together were coming to an end but happy for the friendship they had made. What a snapshot into the JOY of the School’s program. JOY in the provided musical opportunity, of course, but more JOY than can be detailed in an essay, a mission statement, a grant reporting, or a statistical documentation of our measure of success! Just JOY!