It can be quite a conundrum.
While one important goal of any nonprofit organization is to grow successfully, finding that success often means outgrowing available space. Funding a move — or just finding the right location — can be a dauntingly high hurdle.
It is great to see that Durango’s Stillwater Music is poised to clear that bar.
Stillwater, which since 2005 has provided a place for local musicians, would-be musicians and even used-to-be musicians to get together and play, has found a new home.
With a focus on youth, but with a welcome mat out for musicians of any age and ability, Stillwater has prospered despite its cramped quarters in a cold, aging building off an alley just north of 32nd Street. That the building was not designed with music in mind is obvious. It was originally a car wash.
This is not Stillwater’s first move, but this one seems to be blessed by the musical gods. The new location is in the Crossroads Center, next door to Katzin Music, a family owned music store that since 1979 has offered instrument rentals and sales, repairs, and a set of small studio rooms where local musicians give lessons to children and adults.
“We started talking with Katzin about a year and a half ago,” said Stillwater executive director Jeroen van Tyn, who added that the two were not strangers. Stillwater has been buying instruments and sending students to Katzin for lessons for years. “Still, we thought, is there any way we can better support each other?”
Van Tyn also worried that, with both places offering private lessons, the move might create a conflict. But while Katzin specializes in individual lessons, he said, Stillwater’s forte is group lessons, getting folks together in bands. Besides, some of the teachers, who work as private contractors, already work at both locations. When space became available next door to Katzin, van Tyn and the Stillwater board did not hesitate.
As for convenience, it is hard to imagine a better match. If a musician at Stillwater breaks a string, a replacement will be right next door. And when a student at Katzin feels ready to take that next big step, he or she will find opportunities to play with others one door down.
The opportunities extend to the ground level, van Tyn added. “For example, Katzin holds Sunday recitals in the store, and they have to move everything out of the way to make space and then move it all back. We are going to have a 600 square foot space in our place, and we’ve said, hey, we’ll give you the key.”
As for parking? “We have 54 spaces available,” Van Tyn said. “I counted every one.”
Stillwater Music is planning to be open in the new location on Feb. 27. Until then, and continuing after, the organization will focus on getting donations to a Go Fund Me page to help pay for the move. Note that these funds will be kept separate from the donations they receive to finance their music programs.
That the organization is a success is evident from live performances around the Four Corners and the numerous testimonials that can be found on the web at stillwatermusic.org.
Here’s hoping that Stillwater, and Katzin, will continue to prosper as downtown next door neighbors.
