The guilded age in Downtown Staunton

A group of Staunton musicians have scheduled a series of meetings in September to discuss forming a music guild that would support the growing emphasis on musical performances and events in and around the Queen City. The brainstorming sessions are set for each Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. at Fretwell Bass and Acoustic Instruments, 17 W. Beverley St., and will feature discussions of ways to more effectively plan and promote musical events, network, collaborate with local businesses, build a music career, and create music education programs in the community. 

Long-time local musician and music promoter, Dr. Joe Dockery describes what a music guild could contribute to the Staunton community: “I have always been impressed with the variety and high degree of musical talent here in Staunton, witnessed over my 30 years as a resident and contributing amateur musician. Staunton is ripe for an organizing guild to be established, not only to help collectively advertise the many musical gigs and events, but also as an educational tool; workshops in helping the amateur to develop his or her skill, workshops to help the established musician get to the next level, and workshops to help the semi-pro musician make a living at performing and or writing music. Such a guild would be an obvious compliment to the city’s aim of becoming an arts destination.”

The guild project is a grassroots effort, spurred on by several recent developments that have energized the arts and cultural community in Staunton. The soon-to-opened music venue Mockingbird, located at 123 W. Beverley St., is expected to add weekly musical events to the already busy local calendar. And the Staunton Downtown Development Association kicks off Friday Nights in September, a showcase of free street entertainment designed to highlight extended downtown shopping and dining hours on Friday evenings from 5-9 pm. Staunton City Council’s recent decision in July to designate a portion of the city an “Arts and Cultural District” at the request of an Arts and Cultural Council formed last year, has also played a role in the musicians’ decision to organize now.

“Local musicians play a huge part in a vibrant arts scene,” says Karen Lawrence, a Staunton resident whose business provides management and promotion services for musicians and writers, and who is facilitating the guild discussions. “Visitors and residents alike are often surprised at the depth of musicians and musical events available in Staunton. A guild will support Staunton’s many local musicians and music-related businesses as well as contribute to the increased visibility and growth of music as a key element of Staunton’s arts and culture draw. And nothing can lift spirits during tough economic times better than music and the arts. It’s not just about being entertained and economically viable, it’s about building community.”