ALL ABOUT WASSON MUSIC CENTER
Founded in 1993 as Shaw’s Music Center, Wasson Music Center has grown quickly into the fifth largest print music retailer in Ohio. Owned and operated by Carol Wasson, a violin and piano teacher, the store has focused on providing area musicians, teachers and music students with a broad selection of performing and teaching materials. Wasson Music Center also acts as the local rental agent for Buddy Roger’s Music, a well-known music instrument retailer in Cincinnati and collaborates with Kincaid's is Music, the local Yamaha piano dealer, showcasing their pianos in the store.
Known for it’s knowledgeable owner and staff and superb customer service, Wasson's is committed to providing a place for the musical needs of the Dayton area community. Situated at the southern end of Centerville/Washington Twp., the store has, in addition to its retail space, 12 soundproofed studios. Four of the studios have grand pianos with an additional digital piano for concerto accompaniments. Wasson Music Center is also one of the few stores in the nation to have a 75-seat recital hall with two grand pianos for use by area teachers and music groups as well as it’s own teachers’ performance classes, recitals and workshops.
Unique to Wasson’s is their teaching assistant program, which has enabled the store to provide quality instruction at a reduced cost. Mentored by Carol Wasson and the store’s faculty , students interested in pursuing a music career first observe lessons given by Ms. Wasson and other teachers before being given students of their own. The more experienced teachers on the faculty are available to answer questions and give guidance in selecting materials and resolving pedagogical issues. Teaching assistants are encouraged to have recitals for their students and participate in area music festivals.
The store also has a special program for students renting their instruments at Wasson’s. During the months of August and September, anyone renting a band instrument from the store receives three free lessons thru the copyrighted Quick Start program. This program is designed to educate students and their parents about proper instrument maintenance, breathing and embrochure techniques and rudimentary note reading. All participating students are invited to join the Gem City Band.
Wasson Music Center is the location of the OMTA Buckeye Auditions and Student Evaluations, RACE examinations, NGPT Guild Auditions, and the Beaux Arts Junior Music Club, an affiliate of the Dayton Music Club. It is also the rehearsal home of the Gem City Band and Orchestra.
As a further commitment to the community, Wasson Music Center also has established several philanthropic projects to assist in furthering the musical education of young people. These programs are funded by sales from the store and the owner’s private funds.
The Audley Wasson Scholarship Fund , in memory of the owner’s father, provides a college scholarship to an Archbishop Alter High School student who excels in the arts. Wasson Music Center also donates $1 for every musical dog tag sold to Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation.
In response to the 9/11 tragedy, Wasson Music Center also donates part of it’s daily sales to the Red Cross Disaster Fund and is currently allocating the funds to assist the families of soldiers in the Armed Services serving overseas.
Wasson's also has a yearly fundraiser for Daybreak, a local teen shelter.
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