Oberlin Graduate Opens New Music Store By Joanna Chang
			After years of planning and dreaming, Jim Dawson ‘86, has opened Oberlin Music. Located three flights above 13 South Main Street, next door to the Black River Café, the store boasts scores for operas, symphonies, and chamber music from international and domestic publishers. Reeds, metronomes, and strings are also some of the offerings at one the newest businesses to open in Oberlin. The catalogue for organ music is exceptionally extensive, but there’s a good reason. After Oberlin, Dawson went on to study at Stanford University, where he received a DMA in organ performance. The idea for opening a store came only after he had lived for six years in Japan where he taught music classes and directed chapel music at St. Paul's University in Tokyo. He started importing and selling music from Europe during his last year in Japan, after becoming frustrated with the lack of affordable sheet music. As this side business became quite successful, it triggered the idea of opening a music store. "When I considered where to open a music store in the States, I immediately thought of Oberlin," says Dawson. "I loved the four years that I studied in Oberlin, and I received further encouragement from some Conservatory faculty members who expressed the need for a music store in Oberlin." At press-time, construction was still underway on an elevator that will take customers to the third floor store. Plans are in place for the addition of a coffee and tea bar in the front of the store. Space at the back will be used for free afternoon concerts by Conservatory students. "Aside from the business opportunity that I found in coming back to Oberlin, it's exciting to be again part of the rich musical environment here," says Dawson. Oberlin Music is open from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, please call (440) 774-9139.
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