HAPCO Music Foundation dedicated to supporting tomorrow’s musicians

It’s been more than two decades since Joseph “HAP” McMullen launched the HAPCO Music Foundation, a West Orange-based organization that supports local student musicians.

But, when you ask him about HAPCO, McMullen is just as enthusiastic about the organization and its mission as the day he started it.

In fact, if it’s possible, he might be even more passionate today.

“When I was in high school and in my senior year, I applied for admission to Florida A&M University,” he said. “While I was accepted for admission, my financial aid was all pending. So, coming from a single-parent household, and I knew financial aid was critical to attend college and I was lost to what the next step would be.”

His mother only had one piece of advice: Go see Mr. Tolbert.

Kenneth Tolbert was McMullen’s high school band director. 

After learning about his student’s predicament, Mr. Tolbert said these words that changed McMullen’s life forever: “Son: You go to FAMU, and if your financial aid does not come through, call me, and I will take care of the situation.”

Even today, four decades later, McMullen gets choked up thinking about it.

“I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t gone to college,” he said.

McMullen attended FAMU’s College of Pharmacy and also performed in the school’s Marching 100 band. He later went on to obtain his master’s degree in health services administration from Florida International University. He’s also a longtime town commissioner for the town of Oakland.

But, none of those pursuits is as close to his heart as HAPCO.

“When I see kids who don’t have the means — and I can help, I think about me. I see myself in them. That is my why.”

THE MISSION
Since 2001, HAPCO has touched the lives of more than 30,000 students who come from disadvantaged homes in Florida, Georgia and Texas. The organization provides world-class instruction through a plethora of masterclasses in local middle and high schools; organizes and presents free community concerts; and even hires up-and-coming student musicians for paid gigs. 

In honor of McMullen’s former band director, HAPCO also offers the Kenneth R. Tolbert Scholarship Fund through which it awards scholarships to disadvantaged students.

Masterclass instructors have included some of the top jazz educators and musicians in Florida, including Jeff Rupert, director of jazz students at the University of Central Florida; Scott Wilson, director of jazz studies at the University of Florida; and Dr. José Valentino, Grammy Award winner and head of music business and entrepreneurship at the University of Florida.

McMullen said throughout the years, these masterclasses have proven to be pivotal many students’ lives.

“We had a student (NAME?) come back to us and tell us he decided to pursue music after he attended one of our middle school clinics,” he said.

That student pursued music at the University of Central Florida and is now a professional musician. Recently, he came back to his hometown to perform — as part of Michael Bublé’s band.

Through HAPCO LIVE, local student musicians are given opportunities to make money performing throughout their communities. To date, HAPCO LIVE musicians have earned more than $50,000, which they have used to fund their studies or pursue their performing careers, McMullen said.

“They’re making money doing what they love,” he said.

In addition to these programs, HAPCO also refurbishes instruments to donate to students who aren’t able to afford one. And like the other programs, that, too, has changed lives.

Fifteen years ago, HAPCO donated a drum kit to James Adkins, a West Orange High School student who lived in Oakland. Now 30, Adkins is the drummer for Bob James, the Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist who founded the smooth jazz quartet Fourplay. 

And even though Adkins’ success has earned him national and international notoriety — he is endorsed by both Zildjian and Vic Firth — HAPCO’s influence is ever-present.

“He told me he still has that drum set we gave to him,” McMullen said.

To share its work and mission with the community, HAPCO presents a variety of concerts and programming throughout Florida. These include the annual Jazz Fest Ocoee, the International Jazz Day Celebration and more. In 2022, HAPCO brought legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter to Oakland for a special performance.

“Sharing the genius of Ron Carter’s music with our community is such an honor for HAPCO,” McMullen said at that time. 

COMMUNITY PARTNERS
HAPCO has enjoyed longtime community partnerships with many local and national organizations and companies, including United Arts Central Floria, Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs, The Florida Smooth Jazz Foundation, Duke Energy, Walmart, Central Florida Foundation, Florida Lottery, Montierre Development, the City of Ocoee, Universal Orlando Foundation, Alexion, Empire Finish Systems, Orlando Health, the Recording Industry’s Music Performance Trust Fund, Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson, Patrick Gray, State Farm Insurance; Clear Channel Outdoor, Observer Media Group and Jazzy103.com.

McMullen is thrilled with the community HAPCO has received throughout its history.

“We’re going to keep on helping kids — giving them education that improves their talents from pro clinicians as well as the inspiration of seeing top industry musicians perform live,” he said. “And we look forward to seeing them build a better future for themselves.” 

To continue its work, HAPCO always is searching for more partners to add to its roster. To learn more, visit hapcopromo.org.