Blab Music
Tri-County High School Receives $1,883 Grant to Expand Music Instruction with MakeMusic Platform
Tri‑County Jr./Sr. High School in Indiana has just secured a $1,883.03 Grace Pampel Educational Impact Grant from the Jasper Newton Foundation, giving its 6‑12‑year‑old students a brand‑new way to learn music.
The grant will fund the “Music Instruction Level Up” program for the 2026‑2027 school year, providing 96 students with access to the MakeMusic platform. The software delivers interactive accompaniment, instant feedback, and performance‑assessment tools that let students practice at home while hearing the full ensemble.
Teachers will receive practice logs and assessment data from the platform, allowing instruction to be tailored to each learner’s progress. Students can also tap into hundreds of instructional and master‑class videos and a print subscription that includes roughly 2,000 pieces of music for practice and performance.
The program is designed to sharpen listening, intonation, balance, and blend by letting students hear all parts of their ensemble during solo practice.
Band director Jeremy Sterk said the program “allows students to explore a variety of different music based on their ability level and interest. It allows me to see where each student is individually and provide them what they need to be successful. Students will also be able to create their own music compositions, expressing their unique musical voice. I am excited about the possibilities of this program. I look forward to using it to meet the needs of all of my students and helping them build a solid music foundation.”
The stated goals are to increase practice outside of class, improve overall musical skills, and raise the number of students reaching mastery on musical assessments. Progress will be measured through student practice data and playing‑assessment scores collected by the MakeMusic system.
Superintendent Patrick Culp expressed gratitude for the foundation’s support, noting that the grant “is an excellent example of how community support can provide students with meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and challenge themselves.”
Tri‑County plans to make the program an ongoing part of its music curriculum and is exploring ways to sustain it in future years. The Jasper Newton Foundation, which offers community grants to nonprofits in Jasper and Newton counties, typically awards amounts under $5,000, making this grant a significant investment in local music education.
At present, the school is preparing to roll out the platform to students and to train teachers on its use. The initiative is expected to enhance the quality of music instruction and provide a scalable model that could be replicated in other schools within the district.
The grant will fund the “Music Instruction Level Up” program for the 2026‑2027 school year, providing 96 students with access to the MakeMusic platform. The software delivers interactive accompaniment, instant feedback, and performance‑assessment tools that let students practice at home while hearing the full ensemble.
Teachers will receive practice logs and assessment data from the platform, allowing instruction to be tailored to each learner’s progress. Students can also tap into hundreds of instructional and master‑class videos and a print subscription that includes roughly 2,000 pieces of music for practice and performance.
The program is designed to sharpen listening, intonation, balance, and blend by letting students hear all parts of their ensemble during solo practice.
Band director Jeremy Sterk said the program “allows students to explore a variety of different music based on their ability level and interest. It allows me to see where each student is individually and provide them what they need to be successful. Students will also be able to create their own music compositions, expressing their unique musical voice. I am excited about the possibilities of this program. I look forward to using it to meet the needs of all of my students and helping them build a solid music foundation.”
The stated goals are to increase practice outside of class, improve overall musical skills, and raise the number of students reaching mastery on musical assessments. Progress will be measured through student practice data and playing‑assessment scores collected by the MakeMusic system.
Superintendent Patrick Culp expressed gratitude for the foundation’s support, noting that the grant “is an excellent example of how community support can provide students with meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and challenge themselves.”
Tri‑County plans to make the program an ongoing part of its music curriculum and is exploring ways to sustain it in future years. The Jasper Newton Foundation, which offers community grants to nonprofits in Jasper and Newton counties, typically awards amounts under $5,000, making this grant a significant investment in local music education.
At present, the school is preparing to roll out the platform to students and to train teachers on its use. The initiative is expected to enhance the quality of music instruction and provide a scalable model that could be replicated in other schools within the district.
