Private lessons are offered for piano, guitar, voice, recorder, harp, percussion, string, woodwind, and brass instruments, as well as theory and composition.  For most instruments, students must be at least 7 years old. However, we do offer Suzuki Violin and Cello lessons for students beginning as early as 4 years old. Students as young as 5 years old can enroll in our Keyboard Kids piano curriculum.Visit our Suzuki and Keyboard Kids pages for more information about these programs. Private lessons are open to students of all ages including high school students, college students, adults, and seniors.

CMS offers year-round registration for all types of private lessons. This means, once you register in the Fall semester, it is understood by all parties that you will continue to take lessons for the remainder of that academic year - through April. Early withdrawal does not relieve you of full-year tuition responsibilities. Please contact the CMS director prior to registering if you cannot participate for the entire year. Exceptions can be made for extreme circumstances only (moving out of the area, or extreme illness).

Students are required to purchase or rent an instrument for home practice and to bring to lessons. Please talk to the CMS director if you need assistance renting or purchasing an instrument. Students enrolling in the Suzuki program should NOT rent or purchase an instrument prior to the first lesson.
      
Students may register for 30 minute, 45 minute, or 1-hour lessons.  Students will receive one lesson each week throughout our Fall and Spring semesters. Fees vary according to lesson length.  Students will receive 28 private lessons throughout the 2009/2010 year. While late registration may be possible for some instruments, registration deadlines are enforced for our Keyboard Kids and Suzuki violin programs.
Please note registration deadlines so you don't miss out!

Once your registration form and payment is received, each student will be assigned a private teacher who will consult directly with the student to schedule the weekly lesson time at the start of each semester. Although CMS faculty make every effort to schedule lessons at mutually convenient times, lesson times cannot be guaranteed. CMS has both a No-Refund and No Make-Up Policy. Please be sure your family is not overscheduled and that you have sufficient time for weekly lessons and daily practice in your schedule before registering.

Before registering, and for additional requirements and information, please visit our Policies for All Students page and continue reading for ways to ensure you get the most out of your investment in private lessons at the Community Music School.

CMS also offers a Summer Session of lessons. Our Summer session is much more flexible and varies in length. Additional information can be found on our Summer Session page.

Community Music School students have access to the state-of-the art Music and Performing Arts Buildings at the University of Georgia. Students also have access to professional quality performance spaces including Ramsey Hall and Edge Hall, where solo recitals and ensemble concerts are performed throughout the year. Please check out our Upcoming Events page for a list of CMS performances you won't want to miss!

CULTIVATING A LONG-TERM, SUCCESSFUL ENVIRONMENT FOR MUSIC STUDY:
In the current economy, nobody has extra cash lying around to waste! Here at the Community Music School we strongly encourage you to create a comprehensive musical environment in your home so your child's music study is supported by other, related, musical activities. Students receive the most out of their music lessons when the whole family is committed to making music practice part of their daily schedule. Simply dropping the student off at the lesson each week and practicing once or twice in between lessons is not sufficient for cultivating an atmostphere for success over the long term.

When parent's take the responsibility to create a supportive atmosphere for the child's lessons, they are more motivated to practice over the long-term. Attending lessons and taking notes, attending concerts, listening to classical music, listening to the CD that comes with your child's music (if applicable), and setting aside time each day to practice in an unhurried positive way, are all ways to begin cultivating a long-term, successful learning environment. Practicing in a quiet room without distractions from computers, cell phones, siblings, and pets are equally important.

For more suggestions on ways you can help your child in this area, please don't hesitate to talk with your teacher or contact the CMS Director.

Please visit the following pages for additional information before registering for Private lessons in the Community Music School:

Policies for All Students
Fees
Keyboard Kids
Suzuki