who have new compositions a platform to be discovered.” FOSTERING MUSIC EDUCATION To mark the company’s major milestone this year, Fernandes said J.W. Pepper wanted to do something special by giving back to the next generation. “We want to be authentic to who J.W. Pepper is and what we do,” Fernandes said. “We firmly believe that music directors and music teachers need support and they’re of- ten the only one in that position in their school, church or community group. We want to acknowledge that it’s a very special career choice. With a lot of the changes post- pandemic, there was concern about where’s that next generation? Are they choosing to teach? We thought that there was a good convergence there of the need to encourage young people to choose the path of being a leader in music. We understand people need adequate funds to go to college.” The scholarship awards are significant, with 52 $3,000 scholarships available — one for each state, Washington D.C. and the combined U.S. territories. This broad reach ensures that deserving students from across the nation have the opportunity to benefit from the program. Additionally, the top-rated recipient will receive a prestigious $10,000 award, further enhancing their abil- ity to achieve their educational and profes- sional goals. Each scholarship applicant must be en- tering their first year as a full-time student in the Fall 2025 semester with a major in music education. Scholarship applications will be accepted starting in October 2024 and the deadline for submissions is January 31, 2025. There are standard scholarship ap- plication requirements, including transcripts from high school, as well as an essay, and the student has to be an active participant in their school’s music program according to Fernandes. “We’re just happy that we can give back and help further music education,” said Glenn Burtch, president of J.W. Pepper. “A charitable giving and help in this industry has been a cornerstone of the company. We have a Pepper Employee Scholarship Fund that we reward every year to students of our employees who want to be majoring in music in some way. We’ve been doing that for about 25 years.” PRESERVING EDUCATION The J.W. Pepper 150th Anniversary Scholar- ship Program is more than just a celebration
of the company’s rich history; it’s a forward- looking initiative that invests in the future of music education. The scholarship program is also a reflection of J.W. Pepper’s broader mission. Throughout its history, the company has been dedicated to making music accessible to all. Whether through its extensive sheet music catalog, innovative digital resources, or community outreach pro- grams, J.W. Pepper has consistently worked to support and uplift the music community. “We have great respect for the history of the company,” Burtch said. “It’s front and center for the organization, and there’s not
many companies that have been in two hands or two families for 150 years, and in today’s day and age, it’s virtually unheard of to have that happening. We celebrate that frequently. We also want to be a good vendor and neigh- bor to others. We have a lot of respect for the industry that we’re in, our customers and music teachers are really paramount to us.” By supporting the next generation of music educators, J.W. Pepper is ensuring that its legacy of excellence and dedica- tion to music education will continue for many years to come — as will the joys of making music. MI
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