Joy of Music School

Music Notes – Newsletter

Category Archives: Joy of Music School Kids

The young people who study music at the School have a lot going on!


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Pride and Joy and All That Jazz

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Following is a description of this summer’s Juilliard Jazz for Joy concert/fundraiser. It was written by Knoxville accountant Jenny Hines and originally posted on Facebook.

In 1997, I received a letter from James A. Dick thanking me for agreeing to serve on the Joy of Music School board and stating that the new organization’s fi rst board meeting would be the following Tuesday at noon. One thing you did not do was say no to James Dick—especially if he was your most important client.

I knew from a couple of long lunches and meandering meetings that James Dick had wanted to be a pianist. He settled instead for buying and owning radio stations, beginning with WNOX and expanding to WIVK in Knoxville. It wasn’t such a bad idea because he turned out to be a pretty savvy businessman.

His idea to form the Joy of Music School seemed like a natural investment for Jim Dick’s passion.

He told me that Knoxville was bound to have another young Mozart or Duke Ellington. Well, on July 9 his dream and his vision were realized when Taber Gable and friends Jonathan Barber, Andrew Renfroe and Lesly Valbrun took the stage at the Emporium in downtown Knoxville. They mesmerized a sold-out crowd at a benefit for the very school that James Dick founded. The vision was fulfilled and the hard work of many volunteer and sponsors had come full circle.

There are many success stories from the Joy of Music School, but perhaps Taber’s is the most satisfying because it started here in Knoxville, traveled to Connecticut, where he attended the University of Hartford on a music scholarship, and is now alive and well at Juilliard. Yes, Juilliard.

Taber brought us all to our feet with some original work and with a beautiful rendition of The Tennessee Waltz and a spiritual song where two of his friends sang alongside his brother, Dwayne Gable. It was truly a special moment.

Tom Jester and I had many of our best friends joining us, including Mary-Linda Schwarzbart, Mary Fran Darwin, Dara Canada, Drew Taylor, Rick Fox and Ralph Cianelli. We also were happy to see former Joy of Music School presidents Michael Combs and Rick Carl along with former executive director Marisa Moazen. There were lots of former and current board members including Eleanor W. Barron, Ann Hitch, and Ken Dobbins. And it made me especially happy to see Francis Graff eo, the organization’s current executive director there, full of JOY as he welcomed the full house. But perhaps the best surprise was seeing James Hundley, grandson of James Dick and a current board member, who had driven in from Nashville with his father to attend the event. And they had brought with them Marilyn Dick, wife of James and one of the School’s mainstay supporters.

There can be nothing more gratifying than giving a gift from the heart and then seeing it pay back beyond your expectations. The investment of James Dick and many others over the years got a huge return on investment as Taber Gable gave back through his performance. July 9 was one of those magical nights—a night for remembering those who mentored us, a night for being with very special friends, a night to meet new friends and anticipate the fun of future gatherings with them, and a time to celebrate the JOY of MUSIC!

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Our Students in the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra

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Five current Joy of Music School students are bringing their talents to the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Association, a highly selective group of the area’s top young musicians. Two of them, violinists Weston and Alex, recently won placement in the KSYO’s Chamber Orchestra, the second-highest level within the group. (Only the Youth Orchestra is higher.) They are the first JoMS students to reach the Chamber Orchestra. Maya, another violinist, recently won her first placement in the Preludium Orchestra while violinist Kimber and cellist Autumn are participating in the Philharmonium Orchestra. Congrats to all! The KSYO performs regularly at the Tennessee Theatre. You should come see for yourself how talented they are!

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See You at Cherokee Country Club!

The 2015 version of Holiday Sparkles & Spirits, our annual fundraiser party, is shaping up to be the biggest and most festive yet. It’ll have all the elements that make HS&S one of Knoxville’s most inspiring evenings, plus the event is so jam-packed with goodness we’re moving it to the Cherokee Country Club ballroom. The evening, Dec. 8, will feature heart-warming performances by Joy of Music School students and a dazzling array of gift ideas in our live and silent auctions. Out-of- this-world wines! Beautiful jewelry! A wild game dinner! An Italian dinner! A condo in Vail Valley! Your ticket price of $100 includes delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres and wine and, of course, goes to support the Joy of Music School. Please call the School at 865-525-6806 to reserve your spot now!

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Experience The Joy of Music Firsthand!

Here’s your chance to be part of something really special. It’s free, it’s fun—and there’s food!

It’s the annual Joy of Music School Spring Recital, Saturday May 9, at 2 p.m. All are welcome at First Christian Church, 211 W. Fifth Avenue in Knoxville.

You’ll be amazed by the spirit and talent of our dedicated students. Sixty-five of our kids will be performing. They’ll play the drums, all manner of strings, the piano, and they’ll sing. This year we’ll even have a rock group that is sure to get your toes tapping.

And be sure to stick around afterward for delicious barbecue. The food will be donated by Joy of Music School board members and will be cooked by them and church members. We really, truly hope to see you there!

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A Round of Applause for our Recital Sponsor

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Along with proud family members, friends and teachers, the students performing at our May 9 recital will have the support of a new and welcomed sponsor this year: HomeTrust Bank.

HomeTrust has offices in North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. It expanded into our state last year when it bought Jefferson National Bank.

“HomeTrust Bank is proud to support an important arts program like the Joy of Music School,” says Beth Kasper, the bank’s sales and marketing coordinator. “We are advocates for education, and skills learned through arts education produce creative problem solvers for our future. Instilling confidence, perseverance, and collaboration will help these students in every part of their lives, and arts education provides all of these.”

We are so grateful for HomeTrust’s support. Special thanks to JoMS board member Trey Coleman, a HomeTrust senior VP, who connected us.

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Commence the Fugues and Inventions!

harpsicord

When Adrienne Dessel approached the School about donating a harpsichord, she didn’t realize we have never owned one. Frankly, we never gave it much thought. But now that it’s here we are thrilled to have the instrument for our kids, and the possibilities seem endless. The harpsichord is unique, instantly recognizable, and central to the development of keyboard music as an art. Any classical piano student has played Bach. But not so many have played Bach on the instrument for which much of his music was written! Now our piano students can, thanks to Adrienne, whose beautiful harpsichord was built—and painted—by her father, John Brodsky. Many thanks to them both!

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Student Spotlight: Raven

Raven

Raven, a senior at Fulton High School, has been taking lessons at the Joy of Music School for six years. We recently caught up with her for a few Qs and As.

Will you be at the recital on May 9?

I wouldn’t miss it. I’ve been to all of them, ever since I started learning the guitar. We get so much good feedback and great advice. I remember my first year. I was in the seventh or eighth grade. I was so nervous. And it turned out so great. I just played my heart out. This year we actually have an original piece. It’s not a cover, it’s our song. I don’t think we have a name for it yet. It’s jazzy. I’ll play the bass, and my teacher, Will Fletcher, is going back and forth between the piano and guitar. We’ve thought about getting a bunch of people from the Joy of Music School to accompany us.

Have you played both guitar and bass all along?

I added bass in my sophomore year. I was doing marching band at my school, Fulton High, and they needed a bass player. So I went to my guitar teacher and I asked him for help. I started playing it and I just really fell in love with the bass.

Do you have plans after high school?

I do. I was thinking of a university, but then the Tennessee Achieve came along. I am taking advantage of that—two free years of school. I actually got accepted into Roane State and am planning on going there. Student Spotlight:

Will you continue to make music?

Of course. I love music. It just makes me feel more alive. If I’m down or having a bad day, I’m going to play my bass guitar or my guitar. It’s an escape from reality and it’s just awesome. Music is beautiful. Incredible.

Can you summarize what the School has meant to you?

The Joy of Music School has been such an honor to go to. I always want to practice there. There really are no words to describe it. My guitar teacher is amazing. I always look forward to going, every single week. And it’s just been a good experience for me throughout my middle school and high school years. I’ve learned so many skills. It’s just sad to be leaving. I’m about to cry right now.

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Making Music, Supporting Music

Keith Brown

Knoxville jazz musician Keith Brown is well-known for his skills on the piano. He also deserves acclaim for his generosity of time and money. Keith came to the School one evening this winter with a couple of bandmates, playing a handful of tunes and chatting about music with a delighted group of students and parents. He is working on his second album, “The Journey”, which he hopes will appear this summer. To help raise money to record and produce the album, he turned to an outfit called PledgeMusic.com. Once he reached his fundraising goal, 10 percent of all the cash above that amount will be donated to the Joy of Music School.

Keith heard about the Joy of Music through Taber Gable, a friend and fellow jazz musician who took lessons here while growing up. “I just think it’s a great thing,” Keith says of the School. “It’s good to have them here.”

Our heartfelt thanks and best wishes for continued success to Keith Brown!

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Big Ears Festival Lends a Big Hand

Simeon Coxe of Silver Apples teaching JoMS students.

Simeon Coxe of Silver Apples teaching JoMS students.

Knoxville’s 2015 Big Ears Festival was not just a huge hit among music fans. It was highly supportive of our mission at the Joy of Music School.

“We felt it was important to give back to the community through local organizations focused on music and the arts,” says Neeley Rice, Community Programs Organizer at the event’s producer, AC Entertainment. “The Joy of Music School was a natural fit.”

Through its “Little Ears” project, the festival donated a portion of ticket sales to the Joy of Music School as well as Knoxville’s Community School of the Arts. Big Ears also gave us a few passes to the shows for our students and volunteer teachers, and it allowed students and family members to sit in on four Kronos Quartet rehearsals!

We got a special treat the day before Big Ears, when the pioneering electronic duo Silver Apples came by the School for a performance and discussion. Saturday of the festival, Found Sound Nation invited our kids to record at its open air studio in downtown Knoxville, posting the results at foundsoundnation.org.

Let’s give a big hurrah, too, to our friends at Tomato Head. They contributed net proceeds from their sale of commemorative Big Ears pint glasses, and their Market Square and Bearden restaurants displayed photos of our kids practicing and performing.

 

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Taber’s Journey to Juilliard

 

Taber Gable

Taber Gable

Taber Gable stands to make history twice (at least) this year. When he graduates from the University of Hartford this spring, he’ll be the first UH student to graduate on a full jazz piano scholarship. And if all goes as planned, this fall he will become the first Joy of Music School student to attend the world-renowned Juilliard School.

Taber’s journey to New York City and the pinnacle of musical training began at the end of 2013 when he sent an audition video to the Jazz Graduate School at Juilliard, whose director is the legendary Wynton Marsalis. The next step was the harrowing live audition in Manhattan. Despite getting lost on the way and arriving with icy fingers, he got a callback later that day. This time he was accompanied by a bass player and drummer. The committee asked for a couple of standards followed by Thelonius Monk’s “Hackensack.” The bass player threw him a curve by changing keys mid-tune. But Taber had strenuously prepared for just such a twist and handled it without incident. At the end of the session, the committee thanked him and said they would be in touch in about a month.

The results were posted online in March, and he was in—with a merit-based scholarship covering nearly all his expenses. Bravo, Taber! Your friends at the Joy of Music School will be eagerly watching your exciting career trajectory.

 

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Bray’s Anatomy

Bray

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.


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Student Profile: Caleb Lukkarila

Caleb plays his sax in performance.

Caleb plays his sax in performance.

“Just your typical teenager” are words you never would use to describe Fulton High School senior Caleb Lukkarila. Unless your idea of the average teenager is a polite, responsible, humble, hardworking, friendly young man, who fully recognizes and appreciates the blessings in his life. But, don’t let this quiet maturity fool you. It’s simply cover art for the soul of a jazz showman. A gifted alto saxophonist, Caleb takes to the spotlight like the rest of us take to the couch. While many kids, and grown-ups, spend years trying to fi nd their place in the world, Caleb came upon his in a rare moment of typical adolescence—by trying to look cool. When made to choose an instrument as part of his school band requirement, sixth-grade Caleb admittedly didn’t even know what a saxophone sounded like. He just thought it looked cool. Little did he know that while he was busy looking cool on the outside, he forever was changing on the inside. Gone was the shy boy. Confi dent, accomplished Caleb was taking over, one note at a time. A presentation at his high school by a Joy of Music School staff member two years ago inspired the young musician to expand his music network beyond the high school marching and concert bands. And expand it, he did, via JoMS volunteer teachers Joe Jordan and Lynlee Robinson, and jazz great Jerry Coker. Coker calls him “one of the most talented students I’ve known in my 55 years of teaching.” Recognizing that Caleb belongs on big stages, the School also has sent Caleb to the prestigious Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop for two summers. “The Joy of Music School has given me the best education I could ever dream of,” says Caleb. “Aside from the amazing musicians I get to play with, [Director of Education] Julie Carter has been so helpful and supportive of my life beyond music.” Though many listening to him play would swear he was born with a gift, Caleb is convinced that it simply takes hard work, like the many hours of practice he puts in. With the School’s continued guidance and his work ethic, his dream of continuing his music education at the University of Tennessee may well come true.


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The Burger Benefit

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The Joy of Music School got four nights “on stage” at one of Knoxville’s premier restaurants in August – and made the most of it. We were part of the Kobe Burger Mondays at the Orangery series, in which the restaurant generously donates $5 to charity for each American Kobe beef burger it sells. Over the course of the month, scores of volunteers, board members and friends of the School (new and old) enjoyed a fun night out and delightful live music. “We were impressed with the turnout, and the musical guests thrilled everyone,” says Rebecca Bonano, the Orangery’s catering sales manager. So, too, DID the burgers. Many thanks to the Orangery for supporting our School!