Jefferson County Schools is grateful for the support of Friends of Music, a Shepherdstown-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting music education and performance in our region. During the first quarter of this school year, the organization awarded grants and scholarships to benefit JCS students.
South Jefferson Elementary School was awarded a $230 grant to purchase new instructional materials, including part-singing books for chorus and Orff-method books with CDs for classroom use.
“These resources will give students many new quality opportunities to explore creating harmony in the classroom and in choral settings,” shared SJE music teacher Pamela Shearer.
Wildwood Middle School received a $350 grant to purchase new instrument mouthpieces and ligatures for its band program. Band director Tanner Petri explained that the new equipment replaces older, damaged pieces and upgrades donated instruments, allowing students to perform at their best.
In addition to school grants, Friends of Music also awarded a $500 scholarship to Ryan Toth, a 2025 graduate of Jefferson High School. A trombonist from Charles Town, Ryan is now studying music education and performance at Shepherd University. He performed with Jefferson High’s marching and symphonic bands and earned a place in the West Virginia Music Educators Association’s Top Honor Band in 2024.
These donations and scholarships are part of Friends of Music’s ongoing commitment to supporting music education in Berkeley and Jefferson County. The annual school grant program funds instruments and supplies not typically covered in school budgets, with additional support from Ecolab. Since 2017, the scholarship program has recognized graduating seniors who show dedication to music in high school and beyond.