Mission: At the heart of JOMP’s mission “to enrich lives and foster community through accessible music education and performance” is our extraordinary Financial Aid Program, which makes it possible for students in need of assistance to study with our outstanding faculty ~ 32% of our students receive partial to full financial aid.
Results: Over $1.6 million in Financial Aid has been awarded to over 1,000 students since our inception. Students whose families could not afford to pay for lessons and classes are now making music as adults, some are music teachers and professional classical, jazz, pop and orchestral musicians. $140,780 in financial aid was awarded in FY2016. The goal for FY2017 is $147,000.
Target demographics: All ages
Direct beneficiaries per year: 530
Geographic areas served: Central Massachusetts
Programs: A nonprofit community music school founded in 1986, Joy of Music (JOMP) offers private instrumental and voice lessons, an exciting choice of classes, highly regarded classical and jazz ensembles programs, and a vibrant Youth Sinfonietta and Youth Orchestra. Children, teens and adults at all levels of ability experience a musical community that is supportive, non-competitive and inspiring.
JOMP contributes richly to Worcester’s cultural vitality through outreach programs, student community performances, faculty performances in the Worcester Public Schools and our Faculty Concert Series.
The new 200-seat Joseph & Jordan Shapiro Concert Hall, located inside the Joy of Music Program's facility on Gorham Street, is a major upgrade to the program’s former performance space. The carefully detailed architectural and acoustical features and extremely low background sound in the space provides an excellent environment for both performers and listeners.
Over the past 14 years I have been both a student (drum, recorder) and a volunteer at JOMP. A retired librarian, I set up and maintain the program's library of several hundred music-related books and several thousand pieces of music. In addition, I lead a weekly drumming group at a nursing home, with particularly satisfying response from Alz-
heimer's petients.
The high standards maintained by faculty and staff together with their commitment to inclusivity have made JOMP a Worcester county
treasure.
My son's former piano teacher chased him away from the piano, in spite of his love of playing. Wendy said she would find the right teacher and she did. He ended up playing piano and later jazz guitar and became a music major in college - all thanks to the Joy of Music. As a working visual artist who works around the world I can tell you that the Joy of Music is one of the most amazing and generous organization I have come in contact with. Their commitment to make music available is commendable.
