The good news? Each week, 22 children are becoming better musicians, and hopefully better citizens, as students in our string program. The bad news? That number should be higher, as we currently have 10 kids on the waiting list for violin lessons. The best news? You can help.
While Manager of Volunteer Resources and volunteer teacher Ed Sublett gets to hang out with future George Clintons all the time at the School, he recently got to meet the original funk legend at the Berklee City Music Network Conference in Memphis. Joining Ed at the conference 
was Director of Music Education Julie Carter. An invited presenter at the three-day meeting of music educators, Julie shared her knowledge on
For those who had the privilege to know School Founder James Dick during his life, any story of his unpretentiousness comes as no surprise. Such as the tale of his old, white Mercedes Benz. With the sale of Dick Broadcasting, Mr. Dick was worth a considerable fortune and could afford any manner of new vehicle. But he loved that car, Continue reading
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The Joy of Music School provides free lessons, instruments, music and materials to hundreds of Knoxville-area children who otherwise would do without. For more on the Joy of Music School, including how to volunteer, please visit www.joyofmusicschool.org
Joy of Music School student Brayden (aka “Bray”) came out of the hospital with an unusual prescription this year: play more music. Last Jan. 23, the 16-year-old Bray was critically injured on his dirt bike when he ran into an unmarked steel cable hanging between two trees. Knocked unconscious, Bray woke to a concussion, sprains, and most seriously, a torn hepatic artery, resulting in “grade four trauma” to his liver. Twelve surgical procedures, a gifted team of specialists at UT Medical Center, and many weeks spent in the hospital, have saved Bray’s liver and his life. The liver is the only organ that can regenerate naturally, so doctors expect Bray to be fully recovered by next year.
During his recovery from an initial procedure, one of Bray’s doctors recommended that Bray consider taking up a slightly more sedate hobby—like the guitar. Little did the doctor know that he was talking to a gifted guitarist who once performed at the Bijou Theatre with the popular Nashville-based band Hot Trio. The doctor soon became a fan of the young musician. Bray has been a student at the School for five years, originally taking up the instrument because it was “cool to see older kids” play and he liked the musical “freedom” offered by the guitar.
“Bray’s family has been an enduring and endearing part of the School for years,” says School Executive Director Francis Graffeo. “Bray’s recovery has been wonderful.” Bray’s two younger brothers also are students at the School, so we all are feeling blessed that we get the privilege of enjoying his family’s musical talents—and newfound dedication to less extreme activities—for years to come.
PBS viewers across Tennessee now know why we are so passionate about what we do. It’s because of people like young violinist Kristen Thames, voice instructor Andrew Skoog, general music teacher Joe Jordan, and Joy of Music School graduate and current UT music student Breyon Ewing. The four recently were included in a feature about the School on “Creative 
License”, Continue reading
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