What is big, white in color, makes music and can be seen in a store front window at 306 Delaware Ave in Palmerton?

It is a hand-crafted marimba constructed out of PVC piping by Prodigy Studios Store owner Tony Oriolo.A marimba is a percussion instrument typically made of either wood or synthetic material consisting of a set of bars struck with a mallet that produces musical tones.Oriolo, who is very creative and musical inclined, got the idea from a video on You Tube. It took him over 100 hours and cost about $800 in supplies. Each of the hard plastic pipes and fittings, elbows and caps are constructed in a way to make a variety of octave notes.At first Oriolo used a pair of flip-flops as the mallet to strike the pipes and make music. But he soon perfected the mallets to look a little more professional by using thick rubber sponge like padding with wooden handles."Lots of people will come in and ask me, what is that thing in your window? I tell them that it is a marimba and ask them if they would like to play it?" said Oriolo.Oriolo is the owner, instructor, producer, instrument technician and piano tuner of Prodigy Studios on Delaware Avenue in Palmerton.The Coaldale native gives all the credit for his love of music to his mom Vicki. When he was 8 years old, his mom signed him up to take trumpet lessons.This was not something that he wanted to do. Still his mother insisted he take lessons and set his practice times. As the years went on he came to realize how much he really did love music. Today he can play any instrument from a kazoo to the harp. He is also teaching himself how to play the bagpipes."If I could I would tell all parents to have your children play an instrument. Let them learn at an early age about music and make them practice. They are not going to want to but keep after them. Children's brains are like sponges and they can just absorb so much so quickly," Oriolo said.Oriolo is self-driven and has developed a passion for music over the years. He has learned to play a variety of instruments but one of his favorite instruments to play is his electric guitar. He has played lead guitar for many bands in the area over the years."When I was in high school I played my guitar for a school function. The teachers, parents and kids were there and I totally played out of tune and wrong notes. It made me realize I had a lot to learn," Oriolo said. "Learning to play a musical instrument has to be nurtured it doesn't just come natural."So it came as no surprise that this musical inclined store owner could build his own marimba.The public can stop by any time and check it out and if Oriolo is not busy he will gladly play a song for you.