Growing With Music continues to grow
When Tracy Whitmoyer started Growing With Music in 2013, her goal was to be located on Center Square in Greencastle.
That goal is growing closer and next week Growing With Music and Off-Center Properties, which purchased the historic properties on the northwest corner of the square from BB&T last year, will host an Evening of Wine & Music fundraiser.
Growing With Music
Whitmoyer, a public school music teacher for 10 years, became very interested in early childhood music education and earned Musikgarten certification.
"It became a passion, really. It spoke to me," Whitmoyer said.
She opened Growing With Music in rented space at First Assembly of God, while giving music lessons in her home.
"I took a leap of faith and left teaching in the middle of the school year. I have no regrets," Whitmoyer said.
She's moved the music school to increasingly larger spaces, first on West Baltimore Street, then to the current location at 13630B Molly Pitcher Highway.
Including herself, there are seven instructors offering a curriculum that runs from birth through adult. There is a full slate of classes for young children, with names like "Baby Bop" and "Little Maestros." Growing with Music also features piano, guitar and percussion classes, as well as private instruction for voice and nearly a dozen instruments.
The catch-phrase is "Come for the fun, stay for the education."
Whitmoyer will double her space when she moves to the whole first floor of the building in the corner closest to BB&T.
She likes the visibility and said her students will be able to participate in the community activities that are held around the square.
The front of the building will be a store. Growing With Music currently has a small retail selection of music-related items, but Whitmoyer plans to expand to instrument sales and rentals, as well as music books and accessories,
"Schools around here could really use that option without having to go out of state or miles away for instruments," said Whitmoyer, who lives in the Greencastle area with her husband, Matt, and son, Colin, a fifth-grader.
Her plan is to make the area flexible so the storefront can double as a performance space.
"I really want to get the community involved," said Whitmoyer, who hopes to move to the new location in late spring.
Evening of Wine & Music
Growing With Music and Off-Center Properties will host an Evening of Wine & Music on Thursday, March 1, at Green Grove Gardens, 1032 Buchanan Trail East, Greencastle.
The semi-formal event, beginning at 5:30 p.m., includes a full-course meal featuring chicken Chesapeake, slow-roasted prime rib, sauteed green beans and dessert (wine sorbet) provided by Misty Meadow Creamery. Wines from Knob Hall and Jan Zell will accompany dinner.
A silent auction will be available throughout the night and there will be a live performance by Staff Infection, a Hagerstown-based band made up of teachers in Washington and Frederick counties in Maryland.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.growingwithmusic.org or in person at Growing With Music and the Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce for $65 each.