The Sara James Music Foundation awarded its first annual scholarship last month at their regional talent show in Cherry Hill. Foundation publicist, Eddie Shiffler said the organization is prepared to award two more scholarships immediately.
“We are currently looking for talented applicants who meet the financial criteria of the organization’s mission statement,” Shiffler said.
The Sara James Music Foundation is a charity created by a young musician named Sara James in 2014. The sole objective of this foundation is to make music lessons accessible to low income children who are also inspired by music and share her desire and passion to play. Private donations, grants, sponsorships, performances and community events fund this charity and allow it to provide free professional lessons that will give more children the opportunity to make music.
Sara and The Hess Brothers performed more than 25 concerts last year to raise money to create the foundation and award scholarships. They ended their tour at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. The tour raised more than $7,000 for the charity. The organization has hosted two annual regional talent shows to help fund the scholarship program and are now in the process of selecting qualified candidates, who will eventually form the 2015 Foundation Band.
The scholarships are granted to talented students who come from low-income families who wish to pursue individual and group rock music lessons. They can include vocalists, guitarists, bassists, drummers and keyboardists. The award is good for one year of free weekly lessons, which will culminate in live group performances.
The application link is available for print on the Sara James Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SaraJamesMusicFoundation. Any potential applicants should read all pertinent info before applying to make sure they qualify. If you, or someone you know would like to apply, print the application, complete all sections, and mail it to 3 Independence Way, Southampton, NJ 08088. Contact sjmfes@comcast.net for more information, or visit www.sarajamesmusicfoundation.org.
