Are we about Music Education?
Find out about our history and us!
It all began at the bidding of the director of music for the
Westboro Public Schools, back in the early 60's. He convinced George Robinson,
a big band trombonist, that there was a great need for a music store in the
community. George had been touring the country since the late 1930's with
several well known bands and was now ready to settle down. With a shared
interest in enriching the lives of young children through music, George and
Mary, his wife, opened ROBINSON MUSIC COMPANY in 1963 in Westboro Center. Mary
ran the shop while her husband oversaw what grew to be 200 music students with
nine private teachers in just four studios on West Main Street.
In 1979 they hired Carol Vella of Shrewsbury to work part time in the store.
Her husband Lou, was then director of music in the Shrewsbury Public Schools.
After four years, when the Robinson's were ready to retire, it was an easy
transition for the Vellas to become the new owners...their combined skills and
interests..Carol with her managerial knowledge of the store, and Lou with his
invaluable experience as a music educator...were a winning team. In the Fall of
1983 the business smoothly changed hands.
Under the new ownership, ROBINSON MUSIC CO. continued to grow.
The studios on West Main Street were now insufficient. In 1992 the business
moved to a new building on route 135 - a half mile from the center of town at
108 Milk Street. There were now eight studios - but soon even these were not
enough to accommodate the fast growing student population. The decision was
made to expand again - in the fall of 2000 - this time - the business doubled
it's size. There are now 20 air conditioned studios, 3 classrooms for group
lessons and very spacious retail front. Today, we have one of the largest
Lesson Centers in all of New England with teachers that currently
numbers OVER FORTY TOP QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS with degrees in music
from schools all over the WORLD. Our current lesson facility has close to 900
STUDENTS from ages four through adults. (click on LESSONS for more information)
As much as the Lessons have played a very important role in our success, we
also couldn’t have done it without the great support of School Music Programs
in the Central & Meto-West Mass. areas. Because of our affiliation with Music & Arts Center, Inc., Robinson Music Inc. has been
able to offer one of the finest rental programs to all our schools and
customers. Music & Arts is
a leading supplier of instrument rentals for schools for all of New England
with locations in Boston, MA, Hartford, CT and Manchester, NH.
(click on RENTALS for
more information) But Rentals is only one of our realm of services.
We are also one of leading Music Companies in repair services
for all instruments and electronics. The instruments being worked on by three
very top qualified technicians - all with years of experience in their field.
This enables us, not only to assure customers of excellent workmanship, but
that their repair is done quickly and efficiently. (click on
REPAIRS for more information)
And Finally, our large retail front with the ever expanding list
of instruments, supplies and accessories. This assures the student as well as
the professional musician of finding almost any of their needs! We also stock
many method books and pop sheet music from rock to classical folios. We
even take Special orders for sheet music every week. (click on PRODUCTS for more information)
So it was asked, "Are we about Music Education?" It is a strong
family run and family oriented business whose goal has always been to help
foster music education in all the surrounding communities of Central
Massachusetts. This has been and WILL always be our pledge to you, our
customers.
Carol Vella
Matthew and Tracy Vella
Christopher Vella
