2019 JMBHF Dance Scholarship Recipients
JMBH Music Scholarships
JMBH Empowerment Initiative
To educate children on the power of kindness by supporting the efforts of schools (creating and leading motivational assemblies, providing books and related resources), and by empowering students through scholarships for music, dance, and martial arts.
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"Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." ~ Scott Adams (1957)
“Our goal is to ‘give the gift of music’ in an effort to enhance the lives of young students, empowering them to be instruments of peace as they interact in their schools and communities at large.”
It is now our greatest desire to carry on Joe's legacy by continuing to touch others' lives and opening hearts just as our son did with such ease and perfection. As a result, we founded The Joseph Middlemiss big Heart Foundation. One key goal of the foundation is to assist other children in exploring one of his trademark passions: Music.
Joe's affinity for music began when he was just an infant. He listened to classical music his stay in the neonatal intensive care unit and everyone noticed how the melodies calmed him. As he transitioned home from the hospital at 3 months of age, his musical repertoire continued to expand. The only thing that would soothe him during typical infant tantrums was a favorite song from Johnny Cash, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, or The Beatles. By his second birthday, he began to show a strong preference for the Beatles and began to tap out the beat to many songs with his foot or whatever household item he could transform into an instrument. Throughout his toddler years, his favorite blue ukulele seemed to be attached to him and he couldn't travel anywhere without it.
Shortly after he turned three, we enrolled him in the Musical Voyagers Program at the Music Academy of Chelmsford. Each week, he was invited to learn about and experiment with a different instrument. His love of instruments and all music just exploded. We explored many instruments at home, but Joe chose to focus on his drumming skills through private lessons at the academy. He established a wonderful bond with his instructor, and his Saturday morning lessons became the highlight of his week. Joseph grew to become quite an accomplished drummer and entertained family and friends at his home, during group recitals, and through homemade videos. He was so proud of his accomplishments.
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As educators, we believe in teaching the whole child. Music has always been linked to academic success. Current research not only supports this but also shows how it enhances cognitive, behavorial, and social/emotional growth as well. Music is such a powerful force. Skills such as working in teams, communication, self-esteem, creative thinking, calm, positive attitude, imagination, discipline, study skills, and invention are developed and enhanced through the study of music.
Our son's passion for music-combined with this research-has moved us to create a music scholarship in Joe's name. Our goal is to give "the gift of music" in an effort to enhance the lives of young students, empowering them to be instruments of peace as they interact in their schools and communities at large.
2019
Music
Scholarship
Award Recipients
To Apply to JMBHF 2019 Music Scholarship
Scholarship Specifics:
*The recipient of the "Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation" Music Scholarship will receive one year of private (weekly) music lessons at the Music Academy of Chelmsford (73 Princeton Street, Chelmsford, MA 01863). Upon selection, scheduling can be done directly with the music academy.
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*Scholarship recipients will be acknowledged at the 6th Annual Celebrity ScoopFest. Recipients and families will be encouraged to join us on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 for an award ceremony during our JMBHF event at Shaw Farm in Dracut, MA.
Qualifications:
*The application is open to all students in Kindergarten through Grade 8.
Application Contents:
*Completed applications should be mailed to the foundation at P.O. Box 428, Dracut, MA 01826. Please be sure that they are postmarked by May 24th.
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Application Form
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Parent/Guardian Commitment Form and Photo/Video & Media Waver
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Essay
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Letter of Recommendation
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All students must povide a reference from an adult who is not a family member. Examples of references would be a school teacher, a coach, religious education teacher, music teacher, or day care provider, etc.
To request more information
about this mission or to participate, please contact:
Joseph Middlemiss BIG HEART Foundation, Inc.
​PO BOX 428
Dracut, MA 01826
You can also request more information with this form: