The Community Music School (CMS) is a non-degree granting outreach program for the School of Music which serves interested students of all ages and levels of ability. An accredited member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education, the 46-member CMS faculty is comprised of School of Music faculty, selected graduate and undergraduate students pursuing music degrees, and professionals from the community who hold degrees in music.
Over 500 students receive private instruction on wind, brass, string, piano, harp, organ, guitar, drums, voice, and composition/theory. The CMS also features a thriving pre-K music enrichment program for ages birth–6 years and Suzuki program. Ensembles include Campus Orchestra, Campus Jazz Ensemble, and Musician’s Collective (open to college students, pre-college youth and post-college adults), Adult String Orchestra, Druid City Chorus, various chamber ensembles, and Adult Group Beginning Piano.
Lessons, classes, and ensembles are open for enrollment year-round, with summer options also including a strings camp (Elementary/Middle School).
Mission Statement:
Your CMS teacher’s goal is to meet each student at their level when they enter the program. CMS teachers are experienced, credentialed music educator-performers motivated to assist you in your development as a musician. They will inspire you through the collaborative experience of guided music study. Their pedagogical approach is designed to foster development including tone production, technique, posture as it relates to your instrument, repertoire, and performance practice. Your selected teacher will assist you with setting and meeting short and long-term goals, which is foundational to musicianship development and lesson progress. Understanding what to practice and how to structure your practice time will be woven into your lesson and/or ensemble experience. Private lesson students who have specific performance goals (ex. All State, Honor Festival, college audition preparation) or have genre-specific goals (gospel, jazz, pop) should make those goals known to their teacher in advance of enrolling. As with all University of Alabama faculty/instructors, your CMS teacher remains committed to providing a meaningful engagement that is pedagogically sound within in-person and/or distance formats.
How to Enroll
Once you have confirmed the schedule (day of week/time) with your selected teacher, use the link below to enroll. Payments may be made in two ways: in full, or a payment plan (deferment) for fall/spring. Summer session is payment in full only. Regardless of payment type selected, an enrollment form must be completed each session and payment must be made before attending the first meeting.
The CMS office is staffed during business hours, but walk-in traffic is by appointment. Online enrollment and payment by credit/debit card is preferred. If you must pay by check or cash to enroll, contact Dr. Weigel at jweigel@ua.edu for instructions.
With teacher permission you can enter the program mid-semester. The office will prorate the session cost for fewer than the full session of lessons. This option must be set up before your attempt to enroll. f you do not see your prorated number of lessons available on the online form, please contact Jane Weigel.
All users are required to create a user profile before registering. Use a hardwired computer, not a smart phone or tablet.
- ONLINE ENROLLMENT LINK: credit cards/debit cards only. Use this enrollment site for all enrollments (Exceptions: Enrolling a minor student for Campus Orchestra OR Summer String Camp, these must be done via RYZER).
- If selecting Payment Plan (deferment), your remaining payments can also be made via a link on our enrollment site.
*If enrolling for Adult Strings Weekend and paying with a credit card, use the Online Enrollment Form Link. ASW dates are August 23-25, 2024. Contact Jane Weigel for further details.
If you need to pay via check or cash, arrange your visit to the CMS office, room 171 Moody Music Bldg., beforehand: jweigel@ua.edu Please bring exact change OR a check made out to The University of Alabama. We are not able to accept credit card or debit card payments at the office.