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South Jersey Music Education Partnership (SJMEP)

2019 Summer Music Lesson Scholarship Applications are Open!

In conjunction with the New Jersey School of Music, SJMEP is once again awarding summer music lesson scholarships to beginner instrumentalists on flute, clarinet, alto sax, trumpet, trombone and baritone. Each scholarship consists of 9 free group lessons that will be given at the New Jersey School of Music at 10 Union St, Medford, NJ. All students entering grades 4th though 8th in both Camden and Burlington Counties are eligible to apply for a scholarship. These are small group lessons and are geared towards the absolute beginner. If you have played your instrument before, even if just for a short while, then these lessons are NOT right for you, only pure beginners should apply.

Click HERE to apply for a scholarship online!

If you would like to support SJMEP and their efforts to support music education in our community the best way you could do that is to purchase a $25 ticket to our end of the year pool party at the Pinelands Jazz Festival being held Saturday, June 8th at the Flying-W Resort and Hotel. For more information visit www.pinelandsjazz.com.


More than a Mission

Our plan for helping the world…
The South Jersey Music Education Partnership (SJMEP) is an all-volunteer nonprofit group dedicated to the development of student musicians through scholarships for private instruction, performance opportunities, and mentorships.

So.. who are we?

In harder fiscal times, music and arts are often the first programs cut back or removed all together from our public schools. We believe that Music, Arts, and Cultural programs in schools are just as beneficial to a student’s emerging skills as academic programs. This organization was originally formed to raise awareness and funds to help students, families and schools to bolster music, arts and cultural programs. Since its inception in 2012, SJMEP has grown with its original mission expanded beyond fundraising for student scholarships for private instruction to offer opportunities for motivated student musicians to rehearse and perform in area venues with professional musicians.

Scholarship Awards

2013 – Awarded 43 scholarships to elementary school students to take instrumental music lessons over the summer.
2014 –Awarded 50 scholarships to elementary school students to take instrumental music lessons over the summer.
2015 – Awarded 50 scholarships to elementary school students to take instrumental music lessons over the summer.
2016 – Awarded 75 scholarships to elementary school students to take instrumental music lessons over the summer.
2017 – Awarded 53 scholarships to elementary school students to take instrumental music lessons over the summer
2018 – Awarded 51 scholarships to elementary school students to take instrumental music lessons over the summer

Performance Opportunities

Motivated student musicians are offered the opportunity to perform with the “M-Town Jazz Jam”, a band created for this purpose. M-Town Jazz Jam includes several professional musicians and music educators who rehearse and perform with the students. M-Town Jazz Jam is invited to participate in many large area festivals, special events, and restaurants, including but not limited to Dickens Festival, Medford Arts & Wine Festival, Taste of Medford, Coffee Works in Voorhees, NBC’s 10! Show, P.J. Whelihan’s, and The Village of Taunton Forge Friday Night Music Series.

Mentorships

Rehearsals and performance opportunities with professional musicians and music educators are offered regularly to motivated students. These professionals volunteer their time and talents to serve as instructors and role models as they interact informally with the student musicians.

Funding

SJMEPis a 100% volunteer, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. To date, all funding for scholarships has come from private donations, on-line fundraising efforts, performance fees and “percentage of sales” events with local restaurants. As our mission expands, these fundraising efforts will continue with performances at local street festivals and the Fourth Annual Pinelands Jazz Festival in 2017. Additionally, we are seeking support through provision of a permanent home as well as seeking supplemental operating funds through grants designed to support student education, the arts, and extracurricular activities.  If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, please click here.
For more information on South Jersey Music Education Partnership (SJMEP) ‘like us’ on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJMEP or visit https://www.pinelandsjazz.com.