How a documentary short as steeped in music as The Last Repair Shop could have eluded me is mindboggling. In its 39 minutes it does more to convey the transformative power of music – not in some lofty, abstract way, but demonstrably life-changing – than Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro” attempts at over thrice the running time.

Honored at Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony as the best of its category, the film profiles four unassuming technicians who perform the heroic service of repairing worn and damaged instruments for students in the Los Angeles public school system. Each walks us through the engrossing details of their respective trades, which they’ve performed for decades with a real sense of purpose. Along the way, each reveals his or her own incredible life story. I won’t spoil anything by revealing the details, but some of them take us to some pretty unexpected places, with plenty of comedy and tragedy, levity and struggle. All of them express their personal sense of connection with the kids, many of whom they’ve never met.

In fact, there is empathy and elevation in abundance. This is one very moving, very human film. What’s more, it is life-affirming, so very necessary at a time when everything, from our environmental, health and tech anxiety, to our political and social strife, to our nihilistic entertainment, can leave us feeling lost, broken and overwhelmed.

A cross-section of students demonstrates just how important having access to these instruments has been to their lives. The concluding scene is pitch perfect, and you may find yourself shedding tears of joy.

If this is indeed “the last repair shop” – quality music programs in public schools have become an endangered species – the tradition needs to be resurrected now! Too often quality of life issues are the first casualties of slashed budgets.

The filmmakers exercise remarkable restraint in making no such pleas. Instead, they allow the beautiful results to speak for themselves.

I confess it choked me up.

The film streams free on YouTube. Watch it!