Welcome to the Board!

We are pleased to welcome Jeremy Murphy to the Joy of Music Board of Directors. His passion for music and deep connection to our community make him a wonderful addition to our leadership team.

What drew you to join JOMP’s board?

I am a professor of education at Holy Cross, and I've been looking for ways to become more involved in the Worcester community. Serving on JOMP's board brings together several of my interests—I love music, engaging with the community, and learning how educational organizations work up close. It also feels like something of a full-circle moment. I studied jazz drumming at JOMP when I was in high school, and now my son has been taking piano lessons there for the past couple of years. We've absolutely loved the program, and I'm excited for the opportunity to give back by serving on the board.

Can you share a bit about your own musical journey?

My parents started me on piano when I was seven. By middle school, though, I had become completely absorbed with the idea of becoming a drummer and joining a rock band. My parents weren't convinced the obsession would last, so they had me continue piano while taking drum lessons for a year to prove I was serious. By the end of that year they were convinced—probably much to their chagrin, since it meant an enormously loud instrument in the house and the beginning of many rock bands.

In high school I fell in love with jazz and began studying jazz drumming at JOMP. I played in one of JOMP’s jazz combos during that time as well. In college it became harder to drum consistently, so I taught myself guitar and started writing songs. I've been writing songs and leading bands that play my music ever since.

Do you have any memorable performance experiences?

One of my most memorable performances was also one of the more comically disappointing ones. When I was in tenth grade, my rock band, Double Helix, played the Worcester Palladium as part of a festival featuring local young-ish bands called "The Exposure Tour" (or something like that). The more tickets your band sold, the later (i.e., better) your performance slot. We spent months selling tickets at school and sold more than any other band—but somehow still ended up opening the show at 11:00 a.m. (which felt even earlier than that).

I'll never forget sitting behind my drum kit, high up on a riser, looking out at the expanse of empty floor. We later learned that many of the classmates we'd sold tickets to had slept in that Saturday morning and completely missed our set.

What are some of your key goals or priorities as you begin your time on the board? Any unique ideas or initiatives?

I'd love to find ways to strengthen the connection between JOMP and Holy Cross, where I teach in the education department. My students in the education department engage regularly with teachers and students in the Worcester Public Schools, both in their coursework and through separate volunteer opportunities. It would be powerful to see similar partnerships take off between JOMP and Holy Cross. I also hope to help the organization continue expanding its reach within the Worcester community and support the wonderful work it's already doing.

How do you see the school’s relationship with the local community evolving in the next few years?

I hope to see JOMP continue expanding access to high-quality music education throughout Worcester. In addition to its commitment to tuition assistance, I think the program will continue finding creative ways to welcome new families, build community, and help young people discover a lifelong love of music.

If you could perform a duet with any musician (living or from history), who would it be and what would you play?

I would sing Bruce Springsteen’s “No Surrender” with the Boss himself.

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Thank you Jeremy for taking the time for this interview and letting us learn more about you! We're thrilled to have you join our Board.