Musical Depot in Florence expands services

By Shireese Bell
Morning News Reporter
Published: July 26, 2008

Five years ago, Musical Depot in Florence was a small retail music store owned by Scott and Jodeen Gilreath.

Now the Gilreaths are celebrating five years of hard work that has enabled them to expand the store to include private lessons at its School of Music and, most recently, summer music camps.

Scott Gilreath said Musical Depot started as a retail music store with its Web site, http://www.musicaldepot.net.

Musical Depot offers school band and orchestra equipment for sale and through a rent-to-own program.

The store also sells other music products, such as acoustic and electric guitars and accessories. The store offers full service and repair on any school band instruments and stringed instruments.

The Gilreaths also serve 84 schools in nine counties, and have an educational representative who visits and provides service to all these schools on a regular basis.

In January 2005, the couple opened a physical store in a small office space and later moved to the current location at 906 B S. Cashua Drive in Florence. The store includes five lesson studios, a stage and a waiting area.

The store’s school opened in June 2007 and had about 60 students and 12 instructors on staff. More than 100 students participate in the school to date.

Private lessons are offered for piano, voice, violin, guitar, bass guitar, percussion, all brass and woodwinds, the banjo and mandolin.

Scott said he and his wife never imagined opening the school when they first started the business, but decided to open it to continue giving the gift of music.

“When we first opened our store, having a music school was not in our vision,” Scott said. “As we got more into the business, we realized (that there is a great) need for it.

“(The school) has grown a lot quicker than what we expected,” he said. “There is really a big demand for it. People want (and) need something like this.”

In addition to selling instruments and conducting private lessons, Scott said, the store will now offer three summer camps beginning Monday.

“Kids need something to do in the summer,” Scott said. “This is an avenue that will give them something to do and expose them to the performing arts.”

The camps are for ages 8 to 18 and will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Lunch will be included and the cost of the camp is $249 per student.

Participants will learn basic instrument handling, correct operation, technique and music/tab reading; solo, group and ensemble playing; and stage presence.

Camps include:

• Jr. Rock Guitar Camp: Monday-Friday, ages 8 to 12

• Rock Guitar Camp: Aug. 4-8, ages 13 to 18

• Praise Band Guitar Camp: Aug. 11-15, ages 10 to 18

Beginning Sept. 6, Scott said, six-week group courses will be held for one hour on Saturdays.

Courses include an introduction to beginner guitar, beginner bass guitar and beginner drums. The courses will be $75 for the full six weeks and guitar rentals will be available for the course. Jazz and more advanced courses also will be offered.

For more details, call Scott at (843) 407-0226.