UPDATE: Clarizio Music was honored to perform for the staff at the Ocean Medical Center in Brick Township, New Jersey on April 28. Bringing the joys of music to the medical staff, both Ed Austin and John Brue took to the stage a small token of gratitude towards the medical community working to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. 

See the original article in its entirety below.

On a typical day, the small retailer in the heart of the Jersey Shore would be buzzing as customers filtered in to purchase and rent a myriad of instruments and to partake in a renowned lessons program that specializes in music instruction and vocal coaching. However, things changed as COVID-19 forced all non-essential businesses to close their doors. Despite the ordinarily lively store remaining unusually quiet, the staff from Clarizio Music Center has been actively engaged in bringing music to the public through a series of social distancing concerts throughout the community.

The Rock Band program from the retailer existed well before the COVID-19 pandemic and has consisted of students age eight to 16 years old performing at local assisted living facilities. When the pandemic forced the cancellation of an upcoming May performance, one facility director, Loretta Shopene from Crest Point Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, reached out to Clarizio Music Center looking for musicians to play outside the resident’s windows. Matt Kindler, owner of Clarizio Music Center and the initiative’s organizer, jumped at the opportunity, stating, “The response has been amazing. So many of our instructors and local musicians have reached out and are thrilled to be able to give back to our local community.” With the audience being required to remain in isolation in their rooms in the assisted living facility and maintain no contact with visitors, Kindler says, “The residents can be seen singing, dancing, and clapping along to the songs safely behind their windows, which are opened only half-way. The musicians are equally as touched by this effort, knowing the joy they are bringing to these individuals during these trying times. Doing something positive has given these musicians a feeling of pride in doing something uplifting in a currently dismal world.”

The volunteer musicians are planning on keeping the performances going at different assisted living facilities once a week until the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions are a thing of the past. Then, the Rock Band group will resume operations, as usual, first performing outside a facility to respect the safety of the residents who will collectively view the performance through a large dining room window. The power of music can easily be felt in these performances. “Music gives people an escape and a sense of normalcy in such an uncertain world and time. Being able to empower our students by sharing our knowledge is so helpful for both students and teachers. Music gives them a chance to escape. It’s such an important outlet,” says Kindler.

Ultimately the goal for Clarizio Music Center is to resume normal operations as quickly as the situation will allow. However, looking at the larger picture, Kindler believes that “We hope that people, now more so than ever, realize the power of music in our day-to-day lives. We believe that there will be some amazing new music on the other side of this. This time is a great opportunity to create.”

 A special thanks to the volunteer musicians who are participating in this project; Ed Austin, John Brue, Vincent Espinosa, and Laurelyn Pearson. To follow Clarizio Music Center’s journey, visit them at https://clariziomusic.com/, on Facebook at @clariziomusic, and Instagram at @clariziomusicstudio.