Garden Music School opens new spaces, classes

Garden Music School has got some new additions for its students and customers.

Locals gathered Wednesday, Dec. 12, at the music school on 40 S. Main St. in downtown Winter Garden to check out its latest offerings. Garden Music School recently renewed its facilities and now features a theater stage for performances.

“We’ve rebuilt the interior of (the facility) entirely, and now (we’ve got) a theater with a lit sound stage (and) a professional PA system,” Manager Jim Young said. “It’s a professional little stage. We’ve got it professionally lit with all kinds of cool, different colored (lights). … All the instruments are set up on the stage, and it’s ready to rock.”

Young said one thing that sets Garden Music apart from other music schools is how much emphasis Garden Music puts on having its students on stage.

“We’re very performance-oriented at Garden Music, so we like for our students … to get up on stage,” Young said. “We have all kinds of opportunities for them to play in front of crowds and things like that. … Even some of our private instructors will do some of their private lessons on the stage — particularly our vocal coaches — to kind of give the students a change to be up on stage and kind of feel what it’s like.”

In addition to the new stage, Garden Music also is now offering a new program. Although the school is known for its selection of individual lessons, Garden Music now is offering group classes.

“Our group-class concept is a new concept, as well,” Young said. “The way that works is we bring anywhere from 40 to 50 students or so, and we focus on the rhythm-section instruments, or the ‘rock ’n’ roll’ instruments — vocals, bass, guitar, drums and keyboard. We bring all (the students) together and we teach them (music) theory.”

Young added that group classes focus on the basics and are open to beginners of all ages. During class sessions, students learn some music principles in a large group setting with everyone in the same room and then are divided into smaller groups. 

“We start from the ground up, so it’s for stark beginners,” Young said. “We divide them up into different classrooms by instrument.” 

In addition to music lessons, Garden Music offers a recording studio and a rehearsal room fully equipped with instruments and equipment. Both spaces are available for rent, and the business even offers lessons recording lessons for aspiring music producers.