Joy of Music School

Music Notes – Newsletter

Category Archives: Special Events

The Joy of Music School periodically hosts special events designed to either raise funds, raise friends, or both!


by Leave a comment

It’s Tee Time in Tennessee

Our seventh annual Swing for Joy fundraising event is coming up fast, and it looks to be bigger and better than ever. The date is Tuesday, Sept. 19 and the venue is a new one for us — the popular and highly rated Egwani Farms Golf Course in Rockland, about a 15-minute drive from downtown Knoxville.

Registration begins at 11:30 and the cost is $125 per player, or $500 for a foursome. That includes lunch, beverages, prizes and golf!


Unlike some other fundraiser tournaments, we limit our participation to 80 players, which means that the round will move along quickly. It’s a scramble format, ensuring that players of all levels — even true beginners — can contribute to their team and have FUN!


A few sponsorships remain available, some for as little as $100, according to event co-chairs Cindi Alpert and Trey Coleman. For tickets and more info, please visit joyofmusicschool.org. See you at the course!


by Leave a comment

Tee For Tennessee

It takes a lot of practice, dexterity, patience, and some talent to be any good at … golf. But none of that really mattered at the fifth “Swing for Joy” charity golf tournament in October at Gettysvue Golf Club. Ninety-five golfers (and some non-golfers) convened on a beautiful day with the goal of supporting the Joy of Music School. “Our special events committee outdid themselves,” says Special Events Chair Erica White. “This outdoor, covid-friendly event was a big opportunity to bring in support for the School.” And it worked. The tournament broke all records for attendance and dollars raised for our free music programs for kids who need it most. Pipe Wrench Home Services, our event sponsor, made the day special by providing every golfer with a custom golf towel in addition to its generous donation. It even entered a foursome! Another sponsor, AMS Corporation also had a foursome in the mix. A delicious lunch was provided by Moe’s Southwest Grill. WVLT’s Ted Hall, our celebrity golfer host, played in a group with his son, who on his last shot sank a 30-foot putt. All afternoon, players were given opportunities at bonus prizes from Dixon Golf, Loud Media, TIS Insurance Services, Target Golf, and others for long drive, closest to the pin, low score, and others. The competition for the trophies was stiff, but the real winners were the kids our teachers serve.


by Leave a comment

Taber’s Dazzling Debut Album

Jazz pianist Taber Gable, who learned to play at the Joy of Music School and went on to graduate from the Juilliard School in New York City, has just released his first solo album — and it’s a beauty. Titled “Hidden Driveways,” the 11-track recording combines jazz with R&B, 1980s pop and more. Careful listeners will hear references to George Duke, Mr. Mister, Go West, Todd Rundgren and Frank Zappa. “I wanted to make it as eclectic as possible,” says Taber, who just turned 29. “In New York I’m known for straight-ahead, Village Vanguard-type jazz standards. I have no problem with that. But I definitely use jazz as a platform to explore other styles. This album will allow people to see a different side of me and different places that I call home — different ‘driveways,’ if you will.” The album is available for download on Bandcamp and is playing on all the major streaming services. Taber is back in Knoxville “for the foreseeable future” after six years in New York, where he was working as a performing musician before Covid-19 put an end to most live shows. He is settling in nicely, teaching some piano lessons online and appearing as the host of WUOT-FM’s “Improvisations” jazz show Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. We’ll be giving away copies of Taber’s CD to generous donors as part of our Holiday Sparkles & Spirits fundraiser on Dec. 8!


by Leave a comment

A Thoroughly Modern Fundraiser

There’s little about 2020 that is “ordinary”—and our annual Holiday Sparkles & Spirits fundraiser is no exception. But we’re proud to carry on this important event this year, and we’re hoping you’ll join us in early December for an extraordinary experience! Instead of holding an in-person event, we’re producing Holiday Sparkles & Spirits entirely online this year. This allows us not only to gather safely, but it gives us the flexibility to do things we’ve never tried before. For the first time, our silent auction will run for a full week. That’s right, starting Dec. 8 and ending Dec. 15, you’ll be able to view and bid on the many wonderful holiday gifts we have assembled, including jewelry, premium wines and alcohol. Bonus: Going online means people who are not physically in Knoxville can now attend our most critical fundraiser and support the Joy of Music School. “We are very excited to include supporters from out of town this year,” says Erica White, our Special Events chairwoman. “Anyone anywhere can bid on auction items. That carries a lot of potential!” On the night of Dec. 8, starting at 6:30 p.m., we’ll present a heartwarming performance by some of our students and a live auction led by legendary Knoxville auctioneer Bear Stephenson. Auction items include a stay at the luxurious Treehouse Grove house in Gatlinburg, a South Carolina beach house trip, jewelry from Kimball’s, Fountain City, Mackley Jewelers, and more. We’re also offering delivered perks for Holiday Sparkles supporters in the greater Knoxville area. These are a “Banquet-in-a-Basket”—including a gift card for dinners at Lakeside Tavern—for $500 donors, a “Party-in-a-Box” at $250 and “Gala Goodies” for $125. All levels include gourmet food and drink items, a copy of Taber Gable’s new CD (see article on p. 3), and other holiday delights. But remember — it’s free to participate in the auctions. For more details on how to register and take part, see “How Will the Holiday Sparkles Auctions Work?” on page 4. We can’t wait to see you at our thoroughly modern Holiday Sparkles & Spirits!


by Leave a comment

A Tee-rific Time Was Had By All

Tiger Woods winning the Masters was the biggest golf moment of 2019, you say? Ok, perhaps. But our annual Swing for Joy golf fundraiser was a close second!

We had a wonderful turnout under sunny skies at the Gettysvue Polo, Golf & Country Club on Monday, Oct. 14. There were 68 golfers total, competing for trophies and prizes such as gift certificates and golf equipment.

Best of all, the day of golf and celebration event raised more than $12,000 for the Joy of Music School.

Swing for Joy is the brainchild of Cindi Alpert, our soon-to-be former board president (see page 3). She nearly made a hole-in-one that day but settled for a “Closest to the Hole” prize when her ball stopped about three inches from the cup.

“We had a lot of new golfers this year,” says Cindi. “People who were new to the event and new to the Joy of Music School.”

Part of the credit for that belongs to Cindi herself. She’s the owner of two radio stations, 106.1 The River and 104.9 Q-Country. They sponsored Swing for Joy and gave the event some very helpful promotional airtime leading up to the big day.

Special thanks to our other Swing for Joy sponsors, including presenting sponsor Pipe Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Archer’s BBQ (caterer of our delicious lunch), AMS Corp., Tennessee Insurance Services, Knoxville Pediatric Associates and Baker Donelson. Hole-in-one prizes were offered by Duncan Automotive and Ted Russell Ford.
6


by Leave a comment

Tall Paul’s Big Night Benefits our School

Knoxville has a special place in singer-songwriter Tall Paul Bobal’s heart. A live recording he made here three decades ago, at a now-defunct bar called The Library, gave his career a huge lift. Widely copied on cassette tape, it was shared among music fans at the University of Tennessee and other colleges.

“After that, I could put myself anywhere on the East Coast and draw a good crowd for a show,” he recalls.

When Tall Paul recently decided to celebrate the 30th anniversary of that live show, there was no question it would be a big night. And to top it off, he generously donated the proceeds to the Joy of Music School!

The show was held in early October at Wild Wing Cafe in Farragut. It kicked off at 8 p.m. and didn’t wind down till 2:30 in the morning. The place was packed with adoring fans and fellow musicians. “Instead of playing the show all by myself, I invited all the musicians I’d played with over the years,” Tall Paul says. “I was so honored — I think there were 14 who made it, coming in from South Carolina, Florida, all over the place.”

Tall Paul says making the show a benefit for the Joy of Music School was a natural. He loved all the musical opportunities he got as a school kid growing up in Virginia — opportunities many kids lack today because of arts program budget cuts. “I mean, if you don’t get it at school, where are you going to get it?” he says.

Tall Paul was introduced to JoMS by his pal Andy Jeffers, a longtime supporter of the School. Andy runs a Knoxville-based TV production company called Sports & Entertainment Media, which shot video of Tall Paul’s 30th anniversary show.

Tall Paul isn’t exactly sure what will become of that video, but there’s a chance at least part of it will appear on his YouTube channel one of these days.

Thanks, Tall Paul, for making the Joy of Music School part of your big night!


by Leave a comment

Now On the Tee: You!

Our third annual Swing for Joy golf tournament on October 14 is so close it’s practically a gimme.

So sign up now for a lovely day at the picturesque Gettysvue Polo, Golf & Country Club in Knoxville. It’s a 1 p.m. shotgun start featuring an 18-hole scramble preceded at 11:30 a.m. by a delicious Archers BBQ lunch, beer from Albright Grove Brewing Co., and more. Cart your way back into the clubhouse afterward for prizes and more fun.
Swing for Joy welcomes golfers of all skill levels, from beginning duffers to sand trap ninjas.
Swing for Joy has become a key fundraiser for the School from the day our Board President Cindi Alpert initiated it in 2017. Presenting sponsor for 2019 is Pipe Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc. Other Francis Graffeo Executive Director generous sponsors supporting the event include Knoxville Pediatric Associates, TIS Insurance Services, Duncan Family Automotive, and more. Call 865-525-6806 or visit our website, joyofmusicschool.org, now to sign up!


by Leave a comment

A Jazz Legend in Our Midst

Did you know that one of America’s top jazz saxophonists and bandleaders lives and works in Knoxville? That is when he’s not touring with Wynton Marsalis or recording with Ravi Coltrane, Bill Frisell, Ellis Marsalis and others.

He’s Greg Tardy, a name that’s synonymous with excellence in improvisation, inspiration, and instruction.

Now, mark your calendars because Greg Tardy will be performing with JoMS (and Juilliard) graduate TaberGable on March 10 in a Joy of Music School fundraiser. It’s our second annual “Dining for Joy” event. Location, ticket prices and other details to come!

Greg became friends with the Joy of Music School after moving to Knoxville nearly a decade ago, when he toured and expressed interest in supporting our work. While he travels too much to be a board member and is too heavily booked teaching students at the University of Tennessee to volunteer as a teacher at JoMS, he gave an enthusiastic “yes” when our ExecutiveDirector Frank Graffeo recently approached him about “Dining for joy.”
We couldn’t be more excited to hear Greg and Taber (plus other guests) perform together at this intimate, jazzy evening supporting our School!

 


by Leave a comment

A Recital to Remember

Each Joy of Music School recital is unique, but this spring’s was extra-special. It was the first since the passing of Marilyn M. Dick, widow of our founder James A. Dick and a passionate supporter of everything we do here. To honor their memory, we named the event the Marilyn and James Dick Memorial Spring Recital.

The event was, as usual, a wonderful celebration of our students and the joy that music brings them and everyone around them. Sixty-seven JoMS kids took the stage on Sunday, May 5, at Knoxville’s Scottish Rite Temple. They played just about every instrument you can imagine, from pianos to trumpets to violins.
One of the highlights was Senior Caleb and his band rocking the audience with the instrumental “Rat Salad” by BlackSabbath. Also, siblings, Tess, Knox, Lily and Freeman dazzled the audience with their performance of “A Million Dreams” from the film “The Greatest Showman.”Afterward, everyone proceeded downstairs, where a delicious dinner was served. Special thanks to the generosity of many Joy of Music School board members, who covered the food expense this year. We also set up an “instrument petting zoo,” so attendees could pick up and try out various instruments right there. It drew a big, happy crowd that filled the air with joyful sounds. “It was really loud!” says Julie Carter, our director of music education. She adds with a laugh, “I guess that’s kind of the point.”If you’ve never attended a Joy of Music School recital, you should know you’re missing out on something remarkable. Its always an invigorating and inspiring afternoon. We hope you’ll able to join us next spring for the second annual Marilyn and James Dick Memorial Spring Recital.


by Leave a comment

How You Can Help!

•Get your golfing friends signed up for Swing for Joy!
•Let us know if you’d like to serve on a committee like special events, finance, or PR/marketing. You don’t have to be a board member to serve.
•The School needs two window awnings and an exterior stair awning replaced. Can you help?
•We currently have an extra need for piano and violin teachers. Sign up to volunteer now!
•Know how to replace drop ceiling tile? We need four pieces replaced. All need custom cuts and/or holes. Help!

•Be like Judy Smith! Judy Smith is a volunteer who comes to the School regularly to help maintain our Star Prize system for the students. She helps organize bulky files, and gets our large mailings out the door efficiently. Thank you, Judy!

 


by Leave a comment

Come Get Your Sparkle On

Just like roasting chestnuts and Jack Frost nipping at your nose, it wouldn’t be the holidays in Knoxville without Holiday Sparkles & Spirits. Our 13th annual fundraiser is all set for Tuesday night, Dec. 4, at the Cherokee Country Club. Start time is 6:30 p.m. The ticket price: $125 per person.

We promise it’ll be the jolliest Tuesday night you can imagine. There’ll be heartwarming musical performances by our students, wine and delicious appetizers, and sensational holiday shopping. You’ll be able to choose from a vast assortment of gift ideas, from jewelry and wine (the “sparkles and spirits” that gave this event its name) to travel and sports memorabilia and much more.

We’ll see you there!

Act Now! Please call or email the School today to reserve your place! Phone: 865-525-6806.

Email: info@joyofmusicschool.org Want more details? You should have received an invitation by mail, but if you can’t find it, visit our website and click on the banner.

Click Here To Read The Newsletter From The Top


by Leave a comment

Swing-A-Ding-Ding

Our second annual Swing for Joy fundraiser golf tournament was a smashing success. Held on a smoldering summer morning —Aug. 27, which happens to be the birthday of our founder, James A. Dick—it featured 61 participants and raised almost $5,000 for the School. “One of the real highlights was the turnout,” says Cindi Alpert, our board president and the organizer of Swing for Joy. “There were so many new faces this year. It was wonderful.” For that we can thank a solid marketing effort that included multiple advertising spots on Cindi’s radio stations, 106.1 the River and 104.9 Good Time Oldies.

One of the participants was Arthur Dick, son of James, who came all the way from North Carolina and played in the tournament. We were thrilled to welcome him. The winning team was Brad Hall, Jerry Glenn, Darryl Whitehead, and Chase Wilhite. Special shoutout to JoMS board member Damon Falconnier, who played golf for the first time that day and whose team was able to use some of his very good shots! Afterward we enjoyed a fun awards luncheon, with raffles and prizes and delicious food from Archer’s BBQ. We are most grateful to everyone involved and we look forward to seeing you next year at Swing for Joy III!

Top


by Leave a comment

How You Can Help

• Do you seal and stripe parking lots? Ours could use some love.

• Invite friends to Holiday Sparkles & Spirits.

• Volunteer to teach! We always need teachers!

• Help us with replacing instrument cases on Indiegogo at “Cases4kidz”

• Follow us on Instagram at @joyofmusicschool

• Do you do harpsichords? Ours needs some expert maintenance.

• Be Like Susan Brackney…

 

Click here to go to the top post.

 


by Leave a comment

Get Ready to Swing for Joy

Last year’s inaugural Swing for Joy golf tournament was a smashing success—so we’re thrilled to be bringing it back for 2018. The date is Monday, August 27, and the venue is the beautiful Gettysvue Golf & Polo Club. The cost: $100 a person. All proceeds benefit the Joy of Music School.
The action begins with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. There will be goodie bags for all, and multiple prizes, including a prize for the last place team! Make a hole in one and you could drive away with a new Denali or Yukon from Duncan Family Automotive or an awesome cart from Ladd’s Golf Carts!
After your round, Archer’s BBQ will provide a delicious lunch, along with exceptional beer from Fanatic Brewery, in the award-winning Gettysvue clubhouse. (Did you know it was recently named best clubhouse in Tennessee by Architectural Digest? It’s true!)
Last year’s event was “so much fun” and raised about $11,000 for the School, says Joy of Music School Executive Director Frank Graffeo. The tournament is the brainchild of our board president Cindi Alpert, who not only organized it but helped secure many of its generous sponsors. These include Cindi’s radio stations, 106.1 The River and Good Time Oldies 104.9, as well as AMS Corporation, Baker Donelson, Ladd’s Golf Carts and Knox County Sheriff-Elect Tom Spangler.
If all that isn’t enough to get you excited about the 2018 Swing for Joy event, consider this: the date – August 27 — happens to be the birthday of the Joy of Music School’s late founder, James A. Dick. What a way to celebrate this generous man’s legacy. Please call the School now to reserve your spot—or grab one of the few remaining sponsorships—at 865-525-6806.
See you at Gettysvue!

 

Click here to go to the top post.