Known for its radiant acoustic and Appalachian music scene, central Virginia has been a hub for melody chasers for decades. To preserve this legacy, a group of local musicians at The Front Porch Charlottesville, a non-profit music school, teach lessons and host community events that nurture this beloved Americana music scene.
The organization also brings music education and performances to various underserved locations around Charlottesville. According to Eli Ratzeff, the former director of Advancements for The Front Porch, they want to make their impact go much further than the classroom.
“We go into a bunch of preschools and elementary school classrooms,” Ratzeff said. “We work with hospice, the Piedmont, a bunch of other memory and senior centers across the area to bring the music and fill gaps in the musical tapestry.”
The school is welcome to all members of the Charlottesville community, but its roots are intertwined with the University. Upon entering a Darden School of Business local pitch competition in 2015, Charlottesville local Emily Morrison proposed a music school for the city’s community to be held at her home. Morrison was awarded $20,000 after receiving first place for her idea, which enabledMorrison, five teachers and less than 20 students to start coming together to play music on her front porch.
Today, the school has grown to up to 550 students weekly — ages ranging from 18 months to 88 years — and 27 teachers. Once lessons started spilling into Morrison’s bedroom, the school left her home and now has its two locations on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall and off of Preston Avenue.
Susan Weiner, one of these students, marked off a bucket list item at 60 when she began playing the upright bass with The Front Porch. Three and a half years later, she now attends ukulele, guitar and singing classes and has landed herself a position as Chair of The Front Porch board.
“If you ever wanted to learn an instrument [The Front Porch] is no pressure,” Weiner said. “It’s a place easy to be vulnerable and to learn with other people who are learning just like you and being supportive.”
The Front Porch is welcoming to all ages and has become a center for those who are willing to finally break into their musician dreams. The school’s financial aid opportunities, budget-friendly group classes and instrument rental service makes it affordable and welcoming to all.
Similar to Weiner, Francis Morrison — another Charlottesville local and frequent Front Porch class attendee — decided to pick up the mandolin in his later years.
“I remember the very first lesson I took at The Front Porch with Pete Vigour,” Morrison said, “He said ‘Don’t worry that you didn’t start when you were 20, or 30, or 40, or 50. You’re starting now. There’s lots of joy you can get from playing music.’”
He is a frequent attender of The Front Porch’s jam sessions, which are held at The Front Porch every Monday, Thursday and Saturday for 90 minutes. Jams are meant to be a time where students and professionals of all instruments can come together to show their skills and play together.
“There’s something that occurs when you're in the grove with other people,” Morrison said. “You’re among friends. You can’t pick a better time to try or screw up. Everyone’s going to support you regardless.”
They encourage beginners to give their best effort and make mistakes, as that is when the true learning comes about. For individuals who prefer to listen to the music rather than perform, attending and volunteering with The Front Porch concerts — played by both local musicians and students — is a great way to get involved. There are also volunteering opportunities for University students.
“We love volunteers. They're the heartbeat of our events,” Ratzeff said. “Anything from pouring beer, if they're 21 and over to, you know, checking tickets, then you get to come to a concert for free.”
Throughout the year, The Front Porch will host a number of community events. Their most notable ones include their Rivanna Roots Concert Series held at the Rivanna River Company as well as concerts held throughout the year at The Front Porch locations. All events are welcome for students to volunteer or simply just relax and bask in the harmonies.
To learn more or even book the first lesson, head over to their website. Whether it is through attending jams, volunteering or taking lessons, all will be welcome with supportive and musical open arms.
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