The newly opened Eau Claire Music School, owned and operated by Anton and Shawn Smets is based on the “European model” of the local music school. A main focus is to get students networking with each other.

The Eau Claire Music Lesson Center is coming back with a brand new bag. The center, which was recently purchased by Anton Smets and will now be run by him and his son Shawn, has moved to a new building at 1620 Ohm St. and taken on a new name: the Eau Claire Music School.

The name change isn’t just for show; it reflects the new approach that the Smets want to take to local music education. “The model of the school we’ve opened,” says Shawn, “is based on the European model of the local music school. In the high schools of most of Europe they didn’t have music programs. The way my dad experienced it … [you] went to the local music school. That’s where you went to sing or learn an instrument. These were community centers where concerts would take place and a variety of different instruments and styles could be learned.”

In addition to lessons, the music school plans to offer a variety of programs that include daytime toddler classes, music theory and appreciation classes, group lessons, and jam sessions designed to help students form bands. As part of their two-year plan, they’re planning to build a virtual music room that will provide, according to Smets, “technologically exciting ways to interact with music.”

    As of right now, though, the school’s primary focus is “to get our students networking with each other, forming bands. It’s just so doable these days to record and publish your art when it comes to music,” Shawn said. Not only will ECMS offer “a space to just come and make some noise, but in addition to that if you wanna do some recording we’ll have the equipment there and a tech who can help you if you’ve never done this before.”

Shawn, who is also an area substitute teacher, is pretty excited about the new project. “There’s a lot of buzz and momentum for music in the community, and it’s really been three decades in the making. It didn’t come from nowhere and it didn’t spring up overnight. We’re really excited to be part of what’s happening right now.”

To learn more about Eau Claire Music School, check out their website at www.eauclairemusicschool.com.