Our History
In 1992, John Hornsby and other area musicians began exploring the idea of creating a community organization where middle and high school students could engage in music-making opportunities each day after school. This exploration was driven by the strong belief of MRC’s founders that fewer students would get in trouble after school if there were productive, high-interest activities such as music-making in which to engage. In 1993, Mr. Hornsby began conducting focus groups among local school students to see if the idea of a local music resource center would appeal to students and if they would help make the organization successful. The response from students was overwhelming. 92% of the 400 students surveyed indicated that they wanted the facility set up and on average, the students indicated they would use the facility two or three times a week.
On June 17, 1995, we opened our doors and streams of students began coming to the center each day. Local musicians donated instruments, equipment, and time to volunteer and mentor the students. The first CD of music produced at the center was released in 1995. Entitled “Urban Phlavors,” it featured original music of MRC students, and the work of other members who helped with the audio engineering of the CD.
Our original home was the Charlottesville practice space of the Dave Matthews Band. The Band vacated the space in 1995 to embark on national tours that continue today. The Dave Matthews Band has been an invaluable supporter of the Music Resource Center. From amazing instruments to fantastic equipment, the Band has been an anchor supporter of the center. They recently provided significant financial assistance to help jump start the renovation of our new permanent home at 105 Ridge Street, in the heart of downtown Charlottesville. The project involved the transformation of an historic church into a series of contemporary recording studios. In addition, a sister project began in Cincinnati in 2007 with the help of Peter Frampton.
John Hornsby and Ivan Orr led the music-making efforts at the center for many years. Mr. Hornsby, who has written songs for his brother, Bruce Hornsby, and for other nationally acclaimed artists such as Huey Lewis and Willie Nelson, not only mentored musicians at the center every day, but also provided daily oversight of all of our administrative needs. We continue to rely on the generous contributions of area musicians, who regularly share their teaching skills and time and energy during everyday operations to help the next generation of musicians develop their skills.