NEEDHAM, Mass. — A local music shop stepped up to help more than a dozen young music students when schools suddenly closed in response to coronavirus with instruments locked inside.
“I was like ‘Oh no!'” said 9-year-old Leo Fash, stretching out his “no” like a whole note on his trumpet. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to play it!”
In came Needham Music, a local retail, lesson and rental shop, to help Leo and about a dozen more students with free loaner instruments so they could continue playing music.
Needham Music president Richard Vaugh told Boston 25 News that the store’s retail sales have dropped roughly 80 percent during the stay-at-home advisory and all music lessons have been moved online.
Vaughn and store manager Barry Konowitz said they didn’t hesitate to help and were fortunate to have the inventory to do so this time of year.
“They’ve been very excited that their kids have been able to maintain a sense of normalcy at this time,” Konowitz said.
Lydia Fash, Leo’s mom, said music is so important to her fourth-grader, especially as he copes with the stress of a global pandemic.
“Somerville closed quite summarily and so we didn’t have a chance to think about what it is we’d like to have at home for a long period of time,” Lydia Fash said.
“The opportunity to make noise and have it be something that is fun is really wonderful. We’re really grateful.”