Eun-suk Jung

It’s not every day you come across a musician with qualifications like Eun-suk Jung’s. The South Korea native has masters and doctorate degrees in music from West Virginia University, and she taught applied piano and music theory at Hiwassee College for eight years before moving to Knoxville in 2012.

Now, Dr. Jung has brought her skills to the Joy of Music School. In addition to working as organist at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church, she teaches piano to a pair of our students. We are so grateful to have her among our volunteers.

Though it might seem like a leap to go from instructing college students to first and third graders, it has been an easy transition for Dr. Jung. “I love it,” she says. “These kids are very respectful. They’re focused, and because they’re siblings, they seem to help each other out a lot with practicing and getting better.”

Dr. Jung says she’s especially thankful for the School’s wide selection of music books. “I can look at different books from different publishers and pick the lessons that will work best for each kid.”

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A group of dedicated Joy of Music School supporters has been hard at work behind the scenes on a special project. The team consists of a dozen board members and Executive Director Frank Graffeo, and is led by JoMS Board Member Tim Purcell, Director of Merchandising for Knoxville-based Pilot Flying J.

Their goal: a “Vision, Mission & Values” statement for the School.

This is a vital project for the School because it “sets a direction for the long-term,” Purcell explains. “It starts to make you decide what’s important and, most importantly, what is not.”

Right now the School’s Mission Statement reads,“To provide a quality music education for financially disadvantaged, at-risk youth.”

The committee has been interviewing major donors, staff members, students and student parents for input. Those sessions should be complete by summer, Tim says. By fall, he expects the committee will have a new recommended “Vision, Mission & Values” statement it can present to the board.

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“The Joy of Painting” (Thursday, May 15 at 5:30 p.m.)

Enjoy a lively evening of channeling your inner Picasso, savoring good food and drink, and painting on canvas, guided by an artist. Presented by 106.1 The River and catered by Archer’s BBQ, the event takes place at Painting with a Twist, 10932 Murdock Drive, Knoxville. For $35 you get all the materials and instruction you need to create your own painting—and $25 of that benefits the Joy of Music School! Call 865-675-2500 to make your reservation now!

“Swing for Joy!” (Saturday, June 21, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)

Do you play golf or know anyone who does? The new Target Golf driving range, owned by Barry and Pam Robertson, will donate the day’s entire proceeds to the School. Come by and hit some balls—buckets range from $5.50 to $12.50—for a great cause. Door prizes, skills challenges and giveaways will take place throughout the day. All are welcome, whether you’re an old pro or you’re just trying golf for the first time! The address is 5311 W. Beaver Creek Drive in Powell. We are grateful to Becky Chaffee of violettesbybecky.com for her generous work creating and presenting this fun event. (We’re also looking for volunteers to run some events, hand out prizes, and serve food.) Please call Frank Graffeo at 865-525-6806 to sign up to volunteer.

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Geoff Proud

Geoff Proud, co-owner of the television-production company Lusid Media, is our new board president. He replaces outgoing president Trey Coleman, who is moving along (as required by our bylaws) after a highly successful two-year run. Thanks Trey!

Geoff’s musical resume includes a stint as bassist in the Cliches, a Rochester, N.Y., band that opened for the Ramones on multiple occasions around 1990.

A friend told Geoff about the School about a decade ago. “I went in and had a tour when it was busy, with lots of kids taking lessons,” he recalls. “It’s such a great concept, and I liked the way everybody was really into what they’re doing.” He became an instructor, then a board member.

Geoff will be at the recital May 10, so come up and say hi!

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Preston Sangster

If anyone wonders why we do what we do, we have an easy answer: Preston Sangster.

First, there was sixth-grade Preston. Unable to afford the saxophone he longed to play, he found his gift on the decades-old clarinet that was his mother’s, then later on bassoon. Soon thereafter, his instructor, UT Professor and Joy of Music School volunteer Keith McClelland recommended the School to his young pupil when he could no longer afford lessons. “Playing clarinet was the first time I knew what it felt like to be good at something,” says Preston.

Then there was high-school Preston. Though there was a period during his senior year when Preston had to sleep on friends’ couches, even in his car, he never lost his dedication to music and academics. A graduation performance at the School’s year-end recital included a piano/bassoon piece he arranged himself, and a $300 book stipend from the School for the future University of Tennessee student.

College-freshman Preston worked 30 hours a week as a cashier at Walmart, took 19 credit hours, and was a member of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band. Inspired by the teacher who “had his back 100 percent,” Preston majored in music education. “Keith McClelland is the reason I am a teacher,” he says.

Preston is not just any teacher. He recently was named “New Teacher of the Year” not only for Loudon County Elementary where he teaches more than 500 students each week, but also for the entire county.

So, thank you Preston Sangster for the reminder that with a simple donation of one instrument and the time of one gifted instructor, the joy of music is a gift that can live forever.

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Big Ears recently helped little hearts, hands and minds in Knoxville. The weekend music and art festival, created by AC Entertainment and held at various venues throughout downtown Knoxville in late March, donated a share of proceeds from the acclaimed event directly to the School.

Featuring the work of influential, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Steve Reich, and performances by Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood and Velvet Underground co-founder John Cale, Big Ears 2014 drew many renowned musicians and artists for performances on the stages and streets and in the stores of the city, much to the delight of thousands of spectators and to the appreciation of our grateful students and staff.

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Francis Graffeo

Having watched Taber Gable grow up at the Joy of Music School, I was filled with glowing pride when I heard Wynton Marsalis had accepted Taber to the Jazz Studies Program at Juilliard.

Through his formative years, I witnessed many of Taber’s innumerable practice sessions, lessons and recitals. I speak for us all when I congratulate him on his well-earned achievement. When we persevere and achieve, we build ourselves, strengthen who we are, and contribute to society. Communities need people who set goals, work hard and perform in the face of doubts and fears.

With our spring recital coming up on Saturday, May 10, this notion is in the air at the Joy of Music School. We are preparing our students for a challenge—a solo appearance before hundreds of people looking on in silence (Let that sink in! And you’re eight years old!). We prepare these children for much more than playing the right notes. It’s bigger than that; it’s an encounter with an audience, but more importantly, with oneself. A child might get roaring applause after her performance. But in completing a performance, she also learns to roar like a lion.

Nurturing the personal qualities that move our children to persevere and achieve delivers the biggest payback of all. Yes, applause is nice, but that fades as the next performer enters the stage. The internal victory is what lives on long after the performance is over. “I overcame my fears! I planned, prepared, and succeeded! I performed!” Those statements, from within and addressed to oneself, leave an everlasting imprint. They contribute to better children and better communities.

Francis Graffeo Executive Director

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Alex and his teacher, Stan Smith

Alex, a Karns Middle Schooler, is getting ready for his third Joy of Music School recital on May 10. Fortunately, nerves that would get the best of most of us don’t have much impact on the mature-beyond- his-years violinist. Perhaps it’s the DNA inherited from his saxophonist dad or former Knoxville Symphony Orchestra horn-playing grandfather. Or maybe it’s because as a member of his school’s orchestra band, as well as the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra, he is no stranger to public performances.

Q. Do you get nervous before performing?

A. Performances have never really bothered me, and if a bit of nerves appear I just try to take a deep breath and go on.

Q. This will be your third JoMS recital. How is it different from the first?

A. Well, I am over being nervous about being in a strange place now, and Mr. Stan [Smith, instructor] has taught me so that I know better what he expects.

Q. What will you play this year?

A. I am planning to play Concerto in A Minor, 1st Movement by Vivaldi, but I may play Concerto No.2 in G Major, 3rd Movement By Seitz.

Q. What kind of music do you listen to?

A. I have always liked the Beatles, but I have listened mainly to classical music for the past two years.

Q. Who is your favorite musician?

A. Itzhak Perlman

Q. What stage would you most like to perform on?

A. Carnegie Hall

Q. Are there any other instruments you are interested in learning?

A. I would also like to learn the cello.

Alex and his teacher, Stan Smith

Q. Do you see music in your life as an adult?

A. I would certainly enjoy playing, but I am also interested in teaching and possibly even violin building and repair.

Q. What do you like best about the Joy of Music School?

A. The Joy of Music School has provided me the opportunity to receive high caliber music lessons from a highly trained instructor, and I also know that it has helped to open many doors such as The Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra.

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Frank Graffeo and new tenant Jeremy Jennings

When the late visionary James Dick helped the Joy of Music School acquire our building back in 2003, he wasn’t just putting a roof over our heads. The School’s founder was providing a model for sustainability.

We use roughly 6,000 square feet on the ground floor of 1209 Euclid Avenue in Knoxville. Our second floor houses a pair of local businesses, and rent from these folks helps us continue providing our life-changing services to talented, deserving youth. The computer company Saratoga Technologies has been a constant, highly appreciated tenant since the early days, occupying about one third of the second floor. And this spring we welcomed to the building Jeremy Jennings, an immigration attorney, who signed a 10-year lease and whose freshly remodeled office space is a lovely addition to the upstairs digs alongside our Saratoga friends. Jeremy’s presence puts our second-floor use at about 60 percent of capacity.

Which means there’s room for at least one more business up there. We encourage you to help get the word out about our wonderful space for rent. We have about 2,500 square feet available at a very reasonable rate. If you know anyone who’s looking for great space—and rent that goes to support a great cause— please call Executive Director Frank Graffeo at 865-525-6806.

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