Later that year Mr. Dick gathers fellow business leaders, community activists, and music educators, founding the Joy of Music School.

With a volunteer board and one staff member they undertake the mission of providing a quality music education to financially disadvantaged, at-risk youth. The founding board president is F. Michael Combs. The School begins in the Moses Center in space provided by the Boys and Girls Clubs with Anne Marie Begley as the first primary music teacher and coordinator.

In October the School begins a neighborhood program in which non-Boys & Girls Club members can also register to take free music lessons if they qualify as being from low income families.

In October Julie Carter, a respected music educator and flutist with considerable international experience, is hired as director of music education.

In November the new addition to the building is completed. Now the School is fully operational with a spacious lobby, and a kid-friendly family waiting area.

In December noted conductor Francis Graffeo, formerly of Knoxville Opera, and founder of Knoxville’s Rossini Festival, is appointed the School’s executive director.

In August bassoonist Preston Sangster, student of JoMS volunteer teacher and University of Tennessee professor Keith McClelland, is the first Joy of Music School graduate to attend college. He enrolls as a music education major at the University of Tennessee School of Music on a full scholarship.

In September guitarist Nate Montgomery is the first Joy of Music School graduate to return as a volunteer teacher after studying guitar at the School from 2004-2007.

An agency purporting to be a documentary producer documents a pre-arranged volunteer who helps out at the School for a few days. By the end of that week it is revealed that the volunteer is actually a millionaire who makes a substantial donation to the School in her final moments with us. It is further revealed that the producers are actually the ABC Television Network, and the footage is to be used in an episode of a new series, “Secret Millionaire.”

Tenor saxophonist Marquis McGee, student of JoMS volunteer teacher and jazz great Jerry Coker, enters the UT School of Music as a Studio Performance and Jazz major on a full scholarship.

Jazz pianist Taber Gable, another student of Jerry Coker, enters the Hartt School, University of Hartford, as the first full scholarship recipient of the Hartt Performing Arts Scholarship.

School founder, Mr. James A. Dick passes away. His legacy lives on in the fine work of our volunteers and in the music made by the hundreds and hundreds of Joy of Music School children. We mourn his loss, and are proud to carry on the vision he created.

ABC Television airs an episode of “Secret Millionaire” featuring the Joy of Music School. It is viewed by over 20 million people.

Former JoMS student, Jeremiah Welch returns as a volunteer teacher.

The School surpasses 100 teachers and 200 private-lesson students for the first time.

JoMS graduate, Breyon Ewing begins studies at UT as the sole recipient of the Grace Moore Vocal Scholarship.

JoMS graduate, Kristen Thames, enters the University of Tennessee on a full music scholarship.

JoMS graduate, Taber Gable, previous winner of a jazz piano scholarship from the University of Hartford, graduates from that institution and begins graduate studies at the Juilliard School Graduate Jazz Studies Program under Wynton Marsalis.

Julie Carter celebrates her 10th anniversary on the job as director of music education.

Former JoMS student, Kristen Thames returns as a volunteer teacher.

JoMS outreach teachers give classes to over 1,000 children in a year for the first time. These teachers spread out in the area giving classes at after-school facilities like Boys & Girls Clubs, Urban Family Outreach, and many others. It’s a major milestone for the community!

Knoxville attorney, Rick Carl, is elected president of the board of directors.

Former JoMS student, Caleb Lukkarila returns as a volunteer teacher.