An IBMA Foundation project grant was awarded earlier this year to start a new Junior Appalachian Musicians (J.A.M.) program for students in Arthurdale, West Virginia, in Preston County.
J.A.M. is an after-school program for children in grades 4 – 8 that introduces music through small group instruction on instruments common to the Appalachian region such as guitar, banjo, and fiddle. During the spring 2025 semester, Arthurdale Heritage enrolled seven students and hired one fiddle instructor and one guitar instructor. Because of grants received, the program was low-cost or free for students. Thanks to community donors, students were provided with instruments.
Over the course of 14 weeks, the children learned to play three tunes on their instruments in a bluegrass and old-time style. They also learned to play together as a community, which is the main ethos of traditional Appalachian music.
Beyond this instruction, students were introduced to square dancing and ballad singing through regular enrichment sessions with guest artists and culture bearers. On May 23, the Arthurville J.A.M. group hosted a final showcase in collaboration with the Monongalia Arts Center JAM program 20 miles away, so the students could perform what they learned during the semester. Eighteen students performed, and there were over 100 friends and family members in the audience to support them. One mother of an 11-year-old fiddler tearfully expressed how grateful she was that her son now had the fiddle as a daily outlet, keeping him out of trouble and improving his behavior and work ethic overall. Several of the students, parents, and community members regularly expressed their gratitude that Arthurdale Heritage is able to bring the J.A.M. program to this rural community.
The IBMA Foundation Project Grant has been integral in the development of this program, allowing us to pay for student snacks, musical supplies, and instructor compensation. The grant, combined with other grant funding, also funded one full scholarship and two partial scholarships to Arthurdale J.A.M. students in the spring semester. The remainder of the IBMA Foundation grant will aid in paying instructors for the fall semester of Arthurdale J.A.M., creating partial scholarship opportunities for more students.
RETURN to the September 2025 issue of The Cornerstone. .
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