Other things we do at Meadowood...
Meadowood's proprietors believe that when people MAKE music they grow in special and important ways.
With music, children do better in school, adults make new friendships more easily and elders remain more mentally active. For these reasons, Meadowood does more than sell and service instruments and give lessons.
Meadowood creates opportunities for people to play music with and for each other.
Open Mics
Meadowood has hosted open since 1998, at first in the Kutztown Park Bandshell, then on the back porch of Meadowood's original location (233 West Main Street, Kutztown). In 2005, when the store moved to Blandon, the open mic moved there. In 2018, Meadowood joined with Clay on Main to host year-long, indoor open mics at 313 Main Street, Oley: 1st Monday each month, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Concerts
Partnering with other local businesses, music non-profits, dinner theatres, restaurants and social clubs, Meadowood helps to make live music available and accessible by bringing artists including celtic string wizard Robin Bullock, hammered dulcimer great Ken Kolodner, singer-songwriter Dean Smith and others to the area.
Clinics
Through two types of clinics at the store and at other local businesses' facilities, Meadowood gives musicians opportunities to learn from master players (technical clinics) and to see and play instruments that are not usually in stock (product clinics).
Festivals
Music festivals abound in the area surrounding Meadowood Music. Meadowood promotes those events to the public and, whenever possible, actively supports and even sponsors festivals. Three festivals that Meadowood sponsors include the Early Bird Fiddle Festival at the Berks Heritage Center, the Maidencreek Old Time Music Festival at Maiers' Grove and the Lyons Fiddle Festival in Lyons Community Park.
People frequently ask us for referrals to musicians who can perform at weddings, parties, corporate events... Meadowood is fortunate to be in the midst of a community of very talented local musicians. We cannot possibly create links to every musician, ensemble and band, we do have links to those with which we have the most contact.
Connections to Local Musicians
Special Events
Meadowood hosts open house events for familiar well-known product lines and to introduce new product lines. At these special promotional events, people get a chance to try things out and share them with other enthusiasts. Often the manufacturers have clinicians at the events. Almost always, the events include refreshments. Each event is a "petting zoo" for instruments & accessories.
Jams
Meadowood hosts jam sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. A bluegrass jam with fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, and bass happens every Tuesday. Musicians play bluegrass on those same instruments with a mentor in a "slow jam" for beginning musicians on the 1st and 3rd Thursday nights of the month. On the 2nd Thursday of the month, violin, viola, cello, and bass players gather to play light classical and pop music.
Recitals
Many students look forward to a recital as an opportunity to showcase their accomplishments. Meadowood's teachers organize occasional recitals for their students, providing a facility, emcee services and accompaniment. Meadowood's teachers also view the summer open mics (see above) as a recital opportunity for students and often come to play with students in the summer open mics at the store.
Mike & Paula Perform
Mike and Paula founded Meadowood Music with the belief that sharing music makes life better, that virtuoso performance is breathtaking, but does not replace music that people make together or live music that people share in intimate settings. Mike and Paula perform acoustic music, singing and playing guitar mandolin, fiddle, bass and banjo pretty much anything that strikes their fancy.
Articles about & by Meadowood
We have the privilage of working with a lot of wonderful people to do a lot of really rewarding stuff. Sometimes a newspaper, web site, blog or magazine publishes an article about something in which we are involved. We present a few here.
Selection & Care Tips for Stringed Instruments
Carefully kept, your instrument can be an heirloom that lasts for generations. Simple steps will help keep your instrument in prime playing condition for you and those who come after you.
Special Discount Offers & Coupons
We sometimes post special discount offers and coupons here on our site. Visit often to save $$$
