Much of the world has suffered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and one segment that’s felt it acutely is live music.

So, when Mexico Music’s annual winter recital was approaching, store owner Dave Reetz knew he had to pivot. And pivot, he did, opting for a virtual music concert.

The results were staggering, with Facebook all-abuzz — receiving over 3,000 views — as area musicians performed for their online family and friends.

“We’ve had a student recital every year,” Reetz said. “It was always fun and well-received, but with COVID, we couldn’t do a full recital this year.”

As it turned out, the virtual version was a fitting option.

“The recording process seemed to flow easily and was a lot of fun,” Reetz said. “The students didn’t get quite as nervous recording with just parents as they do with a larger audience.”

Thirty-eight students participated in the event, performing multiple genres of music, including pop, blues, country, Christmas — and some original songs written by Mexico Music students.

“We have gotten very good feedback from it,” Reetz said.

In addition to the virtual recital, a student holiday video was posted as well, recorded just outside the store on the downtown Mexico square. Facebook posts have become a trend for the store and Reetz says it will continue, encouraging folks to visit for the latest footage.

A 22-year music teaching veteran, Dave Reetz has lived music. While attending Fayette High School and graduating from Central Methodist University, Fayette, his interest was piqued early.

“I was influenced by my school band and choir directors — and my private trombone teacher, Ron Anson. When I first heard Ron play jazz trombone in the 10th grade, it inspired me to want to play and study music.”

Fayette had its share of musicians, including Bill Thornton, the county band leader. Thornton would hire Dave to play bass.

“Sarah Evans sang in that band for a while,” Dave recalls.

And yes, he is referring to THE Sarah Evans.

“I was always surrounded by great musicians who inspired me,” he says.

In 1980 while at Central Methodist, Reetz’s life changed.

“I was inspired to follow Christ and play Christian music by Jamie Page, who led a Christian band, which I got to play with,” Reetz recalls. Page now pastors Faith Family Church, Fayette, and helps Reetz’s band, Liberty Jazz.

It was at Faith Family Church where Reetz met his wife, Sherry, in 2007. Sherry is co-owner of Mexico Music and today, teaches music for the North Callaway School District. They have two daughters, Lacie, 10, and Hannah, 7.

“Sherry was a euphonium soloist with the Central Methodist Band” Reetz says, “and was our original bass player with Liberty Band. We still frequently perform music together with our daughters.”

During the ’80s, Dave Reetz got a gig as a full-time musician at Silver Dollar City, and The Country Music Show Palace, Branson. He also toured with the Toby Tyler Circus. After a stint as music minister in Winfield, he settled in Mexico.

“I’ve gotten to play with some groups including The Kevin Morris Band, Spratt Family Jubilee in Hannibal, Reetz Family and I helped start and have been performing with Liberty Jazz since 2009,” he says.

Having taught music in public schools for over 20 years, Reetz is now full-time at Mexico Music.

The Reetzes started Mexico Music in June of 1992, making it a long-standing community cornerstone, and today, despite COVID and all the challenges that small businesses face, the store is doing well. Like any music shop, they offer a selection of instruments and instrument-repair services. But one thing that’s especially gaining traction is music lessons. While a variety of different instrument lessons are offered, Reetz is excited about an instrument he sees as very user-friendly: the ukulele.

“Seven years ago I realized that ukulele was similar to guitar and easier for beginners to succeed with,” he says. “So I started using it with some private lessons and public school music classes.”

Reetz studied popular method books — and Youtube — and tried different approaches to the instrument. As a result, he’s developed a teaching style that gives students “quicker success and more confidence.” Oftentimes, Mexico Music starts beginning guitar and bass students on the ukulele.

“When students have fun, they succeed and want to learn more — and the fun and success factor resonates with the ukulele,” he said.

Mexico Music has 28 ukulele students, ranging from age 5 to 65, with some learning another instrument at the same time.

“We have had some great feedback and several parents, siblings and grandparents have bought ukuleles to play along with these budding musicians,” he added.

Mexico Music’s teachers are Chris Creech, who is also the Genesis music and youth pastor; Gina Kliine, who is a school teacher and church pianist; Lydia Mason, also a William Woods student and church musician; Sherry and Dave Reetz. Lessons are typically one 30-minute lesson per week. In addition to ukulele, classes are offered for guitar, violin, bass, banjo, mandolin, piano, voice, drums and brass.

The Mexico Music concert can be viewed on the business’s Facebook page. Mexico Music is open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 5 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.