The Band Shoppe is more than a music store. It’s community. It’s music. And above all, it’s family. Please take a few minutes to read about how Lee has turned a dream into reality in Sykesville, and how YOU can help be part of the community to rebuild what theives have taken from him and his business.

My name is Lee Hirschmann, and nearly 10 years ago The Band Shoppe began as a small dream operating out of my basement. As the community grew, we expanded to a storefront in Catonsville, and four years ago we moved the business to Sykesville — my hometown — to support an underserved music community.

Over the years, The Band Shoppe has become something incredibly special. It’s a place where new musicians start their musical journeys every day, where students grow into confident performers, and where professional musicians trust our expert staff to care for the instruments they rely on.

It’s also deeply personal to me. This is where I met my wife. It’s where we shared the news that we were expecting our children. The Band Shoppe has truly become an extension of our family.

We’ve always done everything we can to give back — supporting local schools, sponsoring community events, donating instruments, and helping musicians throughout Maryland and across the country.

But building this small business has come with its challenges. Over the years we’ve battled floods, construction delays, years of road work, and even a house fire that my family is still financially recovering from. There have been many times I chose not to take a paycheck just to make sure my staff were paid and the doors could stay open.

Unfortunately, on March 28, 2026, The Band Shoppe was the victim of a burglary. Thieves stole over $25,000 worth of professional instruments directly from our showroom, leaving the cases behind. Our security systems were tampered with and we had to immediately replace locks and secure the building as well.

While we do have insurance, it often does not cover the true replacement value of specialty instruments, leaving a significant financial gap for a small business like ours.

If you’ve ever taken a lesson here, purchased an instrument, had one repaired, or simply believe in supporting music and small businesses, we would be incredibly grateful for your support.

If The Band Shoppe has ever helped you, your child, your school, or your love of music, we humbly ask for your help now so we can continue helping musicians for years to come.

Thank you for standing with us and helping keep the music alive.