The colorful Richard Haas trompe-l’oeil murals adorning the exterior of Homewood’s Melody Mart pay homage to the village’s past — from its first air-conditioned movie theater to its early Dixie Highway charm. The nostalgic vibe isn’t accidental, said owner James “Jim” Donnelly, who’s planning a two-month series of events in April and May to celebrate the store’s 70th anniversary.
“My family was friends with the original owner, Joe Kresach, who started the business in 1956,” Donnelly said. “When Joe passed away in 1985, his son Dan took over.” Already pursuing a music career, Donnelly jumped at the chance to join Dan at Melody Mart after Joe’s widow, Pat, suggested it. The partnership flourished, and 10 years ago, Donnelly and his husband Marcos Limon became the store’s official owners when Dan went on to other pursuits.
(Provided photo)
“Joe focused on piano and organ sales,” Donnelly recalled. “By the mid-’80s, things in the music business had changed, so Dan and I had to regroup. We started doing audio for churches and other places while continuing sales, repairs, and lessons. Everything we did back then led us to where we are now.”
That evolution has turned Melody Mart into a community hub — less about selling instruments and more about nurturing a love of music.
“Today, the store doesn’t exist because of how many pianos we’re selling. We thrive because of our teachers and families,” Donnelly said. “We support all learners. Age and experience don’t matter. In fact, 30% of our students are adults. Some took lessons years ago and want to pick up their instruments again. Some are first-timers. Everyone comes here looking to build a relationship with music at some level.”
One of those music enthusiasts is Davis Young, who began piano lessons at age five. Now 25, after studying and playing music for the last 20 years, the 2018 H-F High School graduate is the store’s director of recruitment and a piano and percussion instructor who also teaches introductory group classes like bucket drumming — where students use overturned buckets and sticks to get a feel for rhythm, teamwork and technique.
“I clearly learn while I am here and that’s a great opportunity,” Young said.
For decades, Melody Mart’s annual open house was limited to a single day during National Music Appreciation Week. This year’s event, set for May 3, will be part of an expanded version of the celebration, which will include two months of events in honor of the store’s 70th anniversary.
A highlight will be the opportunity for anyone to sign up for free group sessions made possible by a generous grant from the Palumbo Family Foundation that will fund the free classes throughout April and May — a first for the store.
“These classes will be more playful, more accessible and designed for absolute beginners,” said Esperanza Salgado, Melody Mart’s flute and piccolo instructor and marketing specialist. “If you miss a class in April, you can catch the open house on May 3 and still join in.”
For information about how to sign up for Melody Mart’s regular programs visit www.melodymartusa.com.
Melody Mart will offer these evening group mini classes free of charge during the store’s 70th anniversary celebration in April and May. Those interested need to register here www.melodymartusa.com/events.
● Bucket Drumming – From learning how to hold drumsticks to learning how to play different beats from your peers, Bucket Drumming teaches rhythm basics.
● Theory Throwdown – Students of all ages learn the foundation of music through various interactive games to get a better sense of reading music, its notations, and its rhythms.
● The Performer’s Toolkit – From stage presence and organizational skills to resume building and nerve management, The Performer’s Toolkit teaches how to prepare for any concert or event
● Serenading Strings – From violin to upright bass, Serenading Strings gives every string orchestra member the opportunity to learn music that differs from their own
● Treble Makers – This class moves students along on their musical journey from recorder to flute or clarinet and teaches them how to read basic notation and how to play different parts.
● The Music Creators Lab – Anyone can learn how to play their first beat and how to take a piece they’ve created to the next steps. That includes how to publish their creations correctly.
● Junior Jam – Junior Jam gives every student the opportunity to be a part of a group and the opportunity to be able to perform for any event
● Open Mic Night – Students in this session get a chance to perform in front of an audience of their very own. This is less of a program to learn, and more an event to watch students of all ages play their own tunes.
● Adult Jam – Even adult students need to be able to play in a group with others their age. Adult Jam offers adults the chance to learn how to play music of their choosing in a group.
● Live Sound for Beginners – This class focuses on learning about amps to differentiating among all the cables to produce the right sound.
● Bluegrass Open Jam – A low-pressure jam session with folky instruments from the banjo to the spoons, Bluegrass Open Jam is the program to join to play with your twangy fellas.
● Symphonic Seedlings – This program helps children build foundations in music.