(La Mesa Courier, La Mesa, CA) – When our youngest son at age 7 announced he wanted to learn to play the piano, we asked friends for advice. (Neither my husband nor I are very musical.) Several people suggested lessons at Alan’s Music Center. We certainly knew the place – it was a landmark on La Mesa Boulevard – but we had never been inside.
What I noticed first was a long wooden counter with two or three people behind it quietly helping customers. One of those was a handsome, white-haired gentleman we later learned was Alan Urich.
Alan waited on us that day and my son immediately warmed to him. He talked directly to our son, Jamie, asking him about his interest in the piano. I think by doing so, Alan determined which of his college-age instructors would be a good fit as a teacher for my son.
Thus began a weekly ritual of lessons at Alan’s that I enjoyed as much as my son. When Jamie came home in fourth grade and asked to join a school band, we turned to Alan for advice. I wanted my son to play the clarinet; my husband strongly advocated for the flute. But Jamie wanted to play the saxophone.
Alan became the arbiter. He listened to us, then asked Jamie directly about his interest, and with a smile turned to us and said, “I think he should try the saxophone.” Great advice. In all, our son learned three instruments – including the saxophone – and developed a passion for music he will enjoy the rest of his life.
In 2012, I interviewed Alan and wrote a story for La Mesa Courier about the Center. Alan’s Music has been in La Mesa for 59 years. A musician himself, after the Korean War, he made a strategic decision to open a small music store here in 1954. The business has grown and moved twice, landing at its present location (8510 La Mesa Blvd.) in 1972. Alan told me as many as 1,200 students a year take lessons there. Over the decades, the quiet-spoken, dignified man who founded the business has undoubtedly touched the lives of tens of thousands of young people. Happily my son was one of them.
I was traveling overseas when I heard the sad news that Alan passed away in early September after a long illness. When I came home, I stopped by the Center to give my condolences to the family. There were kids of all ages coming and going from lesson rooms, and a child trying out a clarinet at the counter. Two of Alan’s sons, and his widow Janice, now run the business. His life’s work continues.
People like Alan, quietly improving our community year after year, child by child, are an important part of what makes La Mesa such a great place to live.
A memorial musical scholarship fund has been set up in Alan Urich’s name at the Grossmont Schools Federal Credit Union, El Cajon, 619-588-1515 (La Mesa Village branch, 8313 La Mesa Blvd., in the LPL Financial bldg.).
Get in touch with Pam via email at Pam@LaMesaCourier.com
