Our Partnerships

Partnerships

It takes a village indeed! The Joy of Music School has many partners it relies upon to carry out its mission in the most effective way possible. These partnerships are two-way in nature, and bring value to the School, but also to its collaborators. Here is a bulleted list of the Joy of Music School’s top partners, showing the nature of the relationship followed by a summary statement of the partnership’s value.

Knoxville Area Mentoring Initiative:
A five-way partnership with area mentoring nonprofits promoting effective practices and capacity building in mentoring and in recruiting teacher/mentors.
- Value: Greater community reach for JoMS services. More effective mentoring from JoMS teachers. Greater public awareness of mentoring opportunities at JoMS and other KAMI organizations.
UT School of Music:
Thanks to cooperative interaction, volunteers from UT faculty and students make up about 30% of JoMS teachers. Several UT students fulfill a teaching requirement in pedagogy classes with JoMS students.
- Value: JoMS kids get supervised university-level instruction; UT students get invaluable teaching experience.
Knox County Public Defender’s Office, Project Grad, Boys & Girls Clubs, Urban Family Outreach, Wesley House:
Through outreach classes JoMS teaches in their after-school facilities, which enriches their programs at no cost. Partners provide JoMS with space and access to their underserved kids.
- Value: Replaces scant or absent music training for vulnerable families despite public school music cuts.
School of Rock Knoxville:
A donor underwrites summer rock band lessons for JoMS kids. School of Rock charges only their cost, which is paid by the donor.
- Value: JoMS kids get summer rock camps (not offered by JoMS), while SoR assists under-served musical kids.
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra:
Free tickets for JoMS families. KSO musicians and staff get volunteer and service opportunities.
- Value: Stronger bonds between Knoxville’s high-achieving musicians and the School’s young clients.
Loud Media, Scripps Networks, TV and Media Outlets:
Partners promote volunteer recruitment and special events via numerous on-air spots. JoMS offers them avenues to uplift their community.
- Value: More families and supporters awareof free music programs. More musicians see volunteer opportunities.
Alliance for Better Nonprofits:
JoMS receives consulting support in capacity-building, executive coaching, etc. ABN gains clients and extends their influence.
- Value: Greater capacity for JoMS community service. Exposure to ABN’s partners allows synergy among area nonprofits, who find interdependency and promote JoMS services to potential clients. ABN strengthens area nonprofits.
AC Entertainment / Big Ears Festival:
Opportunities for JoMS students to experience non-mainstream music, often as it is being created. Big Ears international artists use JoMS rehearsal facilities. They also present special programs for JoMS students.
- Value: Better-informed and inspired youth. Greater visibility for JoMS. AC/Big Ears extend their reach and mission to inform.
Berklee City Music Network, Boston:
Membership grants access to the PULSE online music system, a resource for teachers and students. They benefit from wider spread for the BCMN mission.
- Value: Potential volunteers are attracted to the link with a world-class college. JoMS students are enriched via contemporary music modalities. Kids can win scholarships to summer music training and the chance to compete for Berklee college scholarships.
Knox Education Foundation with Knox County Schools:
JoMS provides teaching in under-performing public schools in their after-school and summer programs. Partners provide space and access to kids JoMS serves.
- Value: More children in need get opportunities to pursue the art and discipline of music. This work counteracts public school music budget cuts.