‘It’s such a joyful thing to witness’
The Music Room making a difference in surrounding community
Around five years ago, The Music Room was merely an idea. Now, it's become a community institution.
The Yarmouth-based instrument lending library started because David Durkee was looking to step back from his full-time job as a music teacher.
“To be brutally frank about it, I wanted to work less as I was approaching my 65th birthday and I don't do well with a lot of spare time,” says Durkee. “I teach guitar primarily, and it doesn't sound like a dangerous occupation, but I was working five days a week and had a lot of trouble with carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis in my elbows.”
Lending out instruments fit his new plan perfectly.
“I just knew I need to have something else to do. My wife and I talked it over and one of the things, especially teaching as long as I did, I've seen the positive impact it can have. We talked about a way that we could make that kind of contribution to the community.”
While The Music Room started with a handful of instruments; it's grown substantially. Currently, it has several volunteers, donators and hundreds of pieces stored throughout Durkee's home, such as guitars, amplifiers, clarinets, trombones, keyboards, violins, drums, a cello, fiddles and recorders.
While anyone can borrow from the library, Durkee's especially glad when kids find their love of music or experience another positive change because of The Music Room.
“I've seen the positive impact music can have in the lives of kids that are shy and withdrawn,” he says, noting a recent example of a kid who was a bit antisocial and, after getting a guitar, became more outgoing and even started a band.
“There's research to back it up. They are better outcomes in education. They socialize better; they even have better math scores if they take up music.”
Durkee says they've also contributed instruments to many Yarmouth-area groups, people and organizations, like cadets, schools, new immigrants to the community and people recovering from surgeries and hospital stays.
They also have a program where their more expensive instruments, like higher-end guitars, go to those who are making a difference in their skills or somewhere in the community.
“It's such a joyful thing to witness, their reaction, when they find out they're gonna get this beautiful guitar (for example),” says Durkee.
Since opening, The Music Room's clientele has been steady, but Durkee says they want to take it a step further by becoming a non-profit. However, these things take time.
“That's one of the things that would really, really help us a lot. The problem is getting a volunteer as I don't have time to do the application,” says Durkee. “It's maybe three weeks of work, nonstop.”
For those looking to borrow from The Music Room, there is a standard 90-day loan period, which can be extended, depending on how in-demand the instrument is and how many they have.
For more information, visit The Music Room on Facebook.