Down the block from Salmon Arm’s iconic giant treble clef, a new community space has opened where people can work towards their musical pursuits.
Lessons got underway this week at the new Salmon Arm Community Music School and Session Space upstairs at 40 Lakeshore Drive NE, with more being booked as students are paired with instructors.
“We’ve got a big list of students so I’m connecting students with teachers right now and trying to find the best fit…,” said Acorn Music owner Cory Bagg, explaining that after Acorn had to give up the space it used for lessons, a new space was needed. He said work was being done over the past couple of weeks preparing the new one for its opening just a few doors down from his music store.
“I went through the lessons program at Acorn and it had a big impact on me as a musician,” said Bagg, adding the new space couldn’t open soon enough. But the new space comes with a different vision. While Acorn facilitates the new school/community space, Bagg explained the venture represents a vision shared between himself, former Acorn owner and fellow musician Larry Keats, and music educator Roxy Roth of In the Groove Studio.
“Larry and I go way back with the music store, with the Salmon Armenians, with all sorts of things, and with him being able to work out of here, it was a natural fit – he teaches drums and hand drums and rhythm and that sort of thing,” said Bagg. “Roxy has another music studio in town and rather than be competitors, we thought hey, let’s work together. She needs a space for her group classes and family classes, a larger room, so for her this was a good opportunity to have a space to call home.”
In addition to offering music lessons, the new space is a place for music sessions and other activities.
“A session space is an ideal fit for rehearsals, collaborations, youth band programs, music therapy and more,” said Bagg. “We’re currently offering instruction for piano and guitar and woodwinds, and we’re bringing on teachers to help us discover more of our future vision.
“Our mission is to foster quality musicianship, for people to experience the healing power of music and to create spaces for people in our community to collaborate. We want people to come and see what everybody is chatting about and be part of it.”
Music Heals and Bandwagon programs will be offered through the music school/session space, and Bagg said the space is also be ideal for non-profit groups.
“There are non-profits that would like to function here in a sense that they need a space that they can rent some of the months of the year and work out of, and this is a space that we can share to allow them to do that…,” said Bagg.
“Over the long-term, it’s going to be a place that people can have as a hub or centre, where they can grow their musical side.”
For more information about the Salmon Arm Community Music School and Session Space, visit Acorn Music at 118 Lakeshore Drive, or call 250-832-8669.
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