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The Magic Flute Celebrates 50 Years in San Rafael—and Begins Search for Its Next Steward

Beloved music store marks its golden anniversary with a year of celebration, including its 6th Annual Restring-a-Thon benefiting the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The Magic Flute, San Rafael's independent, family-owned music store, is celebrating 50 years of serving musicians of all ages across Marin County and beyond. Founded in 1976 by Michael Mitchell, the store has grown from a small neighborhood shop into a community institution—a place where generations of local musicians have purchased their first instrument, taken their first lesson, or brought a favorite guitar (clarinet, trumpet, or violin) back to life.

The store’s current owners, Christian Dean and Tamara Osheroff, purchased The Magic Flute from Mitchell in 2010. Dean's connections to the store run deep, as he first worked there as a high school student, which sparked his lifelong love of music.

“Fifty years is a milestone worth celebrating, and it's also a moment for reflection,” said Dean. “This store has always been about community—about giving people a place to fall in love with music. After 16 years as an owner, I'm beginning the search for the next steward to carry the Magic Flute’s legacy forward.”

Dean says the timing of the search is intentional. “I want to find the right person while The Magic Flute is strong—while there's real momentum, a great team, and fifty years of trust behind it. That's how you keep something like this alive for another fifty years.”

For Dean, that continuity is what defines the store's success. "We've built more than a store—we've built a place where music takes root in people and where that gets passed down," he said. “Kids who took their first lesson here are bringing in their own kids now. Staff who started as customers are teaching the next round of beginners. That continuity is what I'm most proud of and it's exactly what I want for whoever leads this store next.”

The Magic Flute is marking its 50th anniversary throughout 2026 with celebrations continuing at its 6th Annual Restring-a-Thon, a community fundraising event set for Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at The Magic Flute's San Rafael location.

During the event, customers can bring their guitar or ukulele for a free restring, with strings donated by D'Addario and technician time donated by The Magic Flute Repair Shop. Each set of strings is offered for a suggested $15 donation with 100% of proceeds benefiting the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to career musicians and music industry professionals facing hardship.

“The Restring-a-Thon captures everything this store stands for,” said Osheroff. “It's musicians and neighbors coming together to take care of each other. We're proud to make it part of our 50th anniversary celebration.”

For five decades, The Magic Flute has built a reputation not only with local residents, but also with professional musicians from across the rock & roll world. The likes of Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jerry Cortez of Tower of Power, Jeremy Colson, drummer for Steve Vai, Dave Getz of Big Brother and the Holding Company, and even the children of Metallica's James Hetfield and Van Halen's Sammy Hagar, have walked through The Magic Flute's doors for instrument repairs, music lessons, and, on occasion, to join the team by teaching lessons and helping customers.

These connections speak to what The Magic Flute has built over 50 years: a home base for Marin County's music community—the kind of place where a legendary drummer trusts you with his keyboard and a kid on their first guitar gets the same welcome.

As The Magic Flute looks ahead to its next chapter, Dean and Osheroff say preserving the store's role as a community gathering place and finding an owner who will carry that mission forward remains their top priority.

About The Magic Flute

Founded in 1976, The Magic Flute is a family-owned, independent music store in San Rafael, California, offering instrument sales and rentals, music lessons, and repair services. Now in its 50th year, the store remains a gathering place for musicians of all ages and skill levels throughout Marin County fostering a vibrant community of music lovers.

Media Contact

Tamara Osheroff
The Magic Flute
415-302-4191
tamara@themagicflute.com
182 Northgate One, San Rafael, CA 94903
www.TheMagicFlute.com

Editor's Note: A fact sheet detailing key milestones from The Magic Flute's 50-year history, plus business improvements made under our Dean and Osheroff’s leadership, is available upon request.