Middle C Gets Raves From the DC City Council!
There was music in the DC Council Chamber on Tuesday, the sweet music of councilmembers heaping praise on Middle C Music. The council paused in their deliberations to pass a resolution honoring us on our 10th anniversary! Councilmember Mary Cheh praised Middle C and its owner Myrna Sislen for its community spirit. "You're not just a music store, you're a community anchor. So many of our residents come through your store to purchase something, take lessons, to hear music," said the councilmember from Ward 3.
Others, including Councilmembers Jack Evans (Ward 2) and Tommy Wells (Ward 6) and Chairman Kwame Brown (at large), tied their congratulatory words to personal experience. "My daughter took guitar lessons there," said Evans, adding that being in "business for 10 years, particularly a small business, [is] a real achievement."
"My daughter loves your place," said Chairman Brown. "She's a violin player and she strums the guitar [and] it's good to have [Middle C] close to her school."
But the most direct association was related by Councilmember Wells. "I'm the only councilmember who's been to Middle C and been fitted for a guitar," he said. "It's one of the best places I've ever been that has individualized attention...It's very nice to have diversions that are soft diversion, that can relax the soul."
"I am thrilled and honored that the council would celebrate Middle C," said Myrna. "What a wonderful way to kick off our anniversary celebrations."
We will celebrate our actual 10-year anniversary, Thursday, March 22 from 5-9 pm, at the store. There will be a BIG party featuring locally- baked goodies, raffles, and performances by our teachers and Washington Area Music Association Award winners Esther Haynes and The Sweater Set.
Click here to see the video coverage of the council meeting! They start talking about Middle C at about 18:30.
About the Author
Myrna
Myrna Sislen is the owner of Middle C Music. In 2002, under the store’s previous owner, sales were slow and the store was within one week of closing. Then, local classical guitarist and George Washington University professor Myrna Sislen entered the picture.
It was a Thursday and she was working out at the health club across the street. Leaving her kick boxing class, Sislen ran into another local musician who mentioned that the store was closing. He said, ‘Do you know what she’s asking for it?’
It had never occurred to Sislen to ask. He told her the figure, and she thought “man, I could write a check for that- that’s not very much.” She signed the papers the following Friday.
Sislen’s goal was to make the store into a community—the Middle C Family. Ten years later, it is more than that -- a draw for the region tucked into an office complex. Middle C Music now serves 400 students a week, 40 to 50 percent of whom are adults, and supports 16 teachers and numerous employees (another major contribution to the District in a recession-era economy).
Over her ten years as store owner, Myrna Sislen has doubled the size of the store, transforming Middle C Music into a comfortable, safe and nurturing neighborhood destination for musicians and music lovers of all stripes.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.