MAFA program to celebrate 10th year with free concert, reception

Eric Heukeshoven and John Paulson

The Music Access for All program will celebrate 10 years of service with a free concert of jazz and Christmas selections Saturday, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Maplewood Townhomes Community Center, 1756 Kraemer Dr.

The John Paulson-Eric Heukeshoven Jazz Duo will perform, and light refreshments will be served. This public event is being held in gratitude to the Winona community for all of the support MAFA has received.

In December of 2002, Saint Mary’s professor Dr. John Paulson founded the MAFA (Music Access For All) program at the Maplewood Townhomes with the goal of getting instruments, music and lessons to students in need of assistance. On Christmas Eve that year, he obtained instruments for three girls in the same family and experienced the joy of watching their faces as they opened their instrument cases for the first time. Shortly after the program began, Heukeshoven, also from the SMU Music Department, expressed an interest in helping with the program.  For several years, the two men taught lessons Saturday mornings at the Maplewood Townhomes Community Center and hosted winter and spring concerts to show off what their students had accomplished.  Their goal was to ultimately get the students into public school music programs to continue and expand on what they had learned.

Currently, they work through area music teachers like Paula Bratten of the Winona Middle School and place instruments with students in need of assistance. Donated instruments are checked over by Bob Ogren of Leithold Music in La Crosse, and they are stored there until they find a new home. The program depends completely on cash contributions and instruments from the community, and many people have come forward to help.  If you’d like to donate an instrument, or you know of a student in need of assistance getting one, contact Paulson at jpaulson@smumn.edu or Ext. 4948.  Checks can be made out to Saint Mary’s University/ MAFA and sent to Eric Heukeshoven at Campus Box 1473, Saint Mary’s University, Winona, MN 55987.  

MAFA program helps students get started in music

This is the 10th year for the Music Access for All (MAFA) music program, started by Dr. John Paulson, professor of music. The program’s goal is to help kids get started in band or on piano and get them enrolled in school music programs.

MAFA helps students in need of financial assistance get instruments at low or no cost. Also, free lessons on woodwinds, brass, piano or jazz improvisation are available on Saturday mornings at the Maplewood Townhomes Community Center.

MAFA staff includes Saint Mary’s music teachers Paulson (woodwinds and jazz), and Eric Heukeshoven (brass, piano and jazz).

M.A.F.A. has instruments and openings!

The Music Access For All program, directed by Dr. John Paulson, professor of music, has immediate openings for students ages 10-18 who would like to get started in music but need help getting an instrument and lessons.

MAFA lessons and band are held at the Maplewood Town Homes Community Center, 1756 Kraemer Dr., from 10-11 a.m. on Saturdays.

Program director Dr. Paulson teaches woodwinds and SMU music faculty member Eric Heukeshoven teaches brass and piano.

MAFA also accepts instruments in good working condition, and charitable contributions can be made to MAFA, Box 1473. For more information, contact Dr. Paulson at Ext. 4948 or jpaulson@smumn.edu or visit www.paulsonjazz.com/mafa.htm.