About Us & Enrollment

youth orchestraThe 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 and group 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 and group classes include Campus Orchestra (open to college students, pre-college youth and post-college adults), Adult String Orchestra, and various chamber ensembles.

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. They 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 (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 both in-person and distance formats.

How to Enroll

Once you have confirmed the schedule (day of week/time) with your selected private lesson teacher, group class teacher, or ensemble director, 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. Regardless of payment type selected, an enrollment form must be completed each session and payment must be made before attending the first lesson or class.

If selecting Payment Plan (deferment) a credit card may be used for the first payment only. Remaining deferment payments must be made directly to:

The University of Alabama Student Account Services Office

Attn. Jennifer Frith

Box 870120 Student Services Bldg.

Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.

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, the office will prorate the session cost for fewer than the full session of lessons. If you do not see your prorated number of lessons available on the online form, please contact Jane Weigel.

If you are are enrolling using the online form for the first time you will be required to create a user profile before you can register. 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 enrolling for Adult Strings Weekend and paying with a credit card, use the Online Enrollment Form Link. ASW dates are August 23-25, 2024Contact Jane Weigel for further details.

If you choose to enroll at the CMS office, room 171 Moody Music Bldg., please bring exact change OR a check. We are not able to accept credit card or debit card payments at the office.

Questions? Contact Jane Weigel.