School of Rock Chatham to Offer Fundraising Music Lessons to Benefit The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Of America

by Rafe Gomez

School of Rock in Chatham, an after school program which provides performance-based instruction for young musicians ages 7 to 17, will present an open house event featuring music lessons to benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). The event will take place on Sunday, 9/28 from 12-3pm. In exchange for a donation of five dollars, contributors will receive a 15 minute music lesson in vocals, drums, guitar, bass, or keyboards. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit CCFA.

“We’ve partnered with CCFA on other fundraising events, and we’re excited for this one, which will hopefully inspire the community to rock with us for a great cause,” says Jamie Lima, General Manager of School of Rock Chatham. “Our fifteen minute music lessons will provide an overview on the instrument of choice and give some basic fundamentals which will lead to fun, instant gratification playing - which is the School of Rock approach. There will also be sign-ups for 5k races, half-marathons, and other fundraisers at our open house, all benefiting CCFA.”

Jill Markman, a volunteer for the New Jersey chapter of CCFA and a participant/coach of CCFA’s Team Challenge half marathons, helped to organize the music lesson fundraising event. Jill is the mother of Justine Markman, a 17 year-old senior at Watchung Hills Regional High School who’s also a student at School of Rock Chatham. Jill was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) shortly after she gave birth to Justine, and Justine was diagnosed with it when she was four years-old. Every six weeks, Justine needs to visit a hospital for an infusion of the drug Remicade, which keeps her UC in remission.

“Two years ago, Justine was hospitalized just prior to the start of school,” says Jill. “She missed most of the first quarter of the year and needed to be homeschooled since she could not attend classes at Watchung Hills Regional. The shining light during that very dark time were the short practices that she was able to be part of at School of Rock Chatham. The support from the school and the students was really what kept her going, and we truly appreciate all of their kindness.”

Thanks to her Remicade therapy, Justine is back at Watchung Hills Regional as a full-time student. After her classes, she participates in School of Rock Chatham’s lessons and performances, and also helps to teach the School’s Little Wing pre-school program.

“The improvement in my vocal strength and the exposure to so many instruments at School of Rock Chatham has really fed my passion for music,” says Justine. “The instructors are amazing and the students have become some of my best friends.”

School of Rock Chatham’s open house fundraising music lesson event to benefit CCFA will take place at the School, located on 60 Main Street in Chatham on Sunday, 9/28 from 12-3pm. Fifteen minute lessons in vocals, drums, guitar, bass, or keyboards will be provided in exchange for a $5 donation. Lessons are open to young musicians ages 7 to 17, as well as their parents. For more info visit Chatham.SchoolofRock.com or call (973) 635-2100.