New to the Program? Email jweigel@ua.edu for the teacher list and fee quotes for the session.
Policies
Participation in CMS activities is open to students of all ages and levels of ability via enrollment. Classes, lessons, and ensemble participation is for your personal enrichment and musical development. The Community Music is a part of The University of Alabama College of Arts & Sciences and housed in the School of Music. There are no grades assigned for participating in this outreach program. All CMS teachers have completed UA compliance training, passed background checks, and have previous teaching experience. Tuition covers instructional time as noted on the enrollment form you complete prior to engagement with your selected teacher. With teacher approval, new students may enter the program at any time of the year: Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters.
Tuition is based on a semester of study. Enrollment options include group classes, ensembles, or private lessons. If enrolling for private lessons, tuition is based on the teacher you select, and the length of your weekly lesson (30-min; 45-min; 60-min). When you enroll at The University of Alabama – Community Music School (CMS), you are committing to your full enrollment.
Once you are registered, you are obligated for the full semester fee, whether or not you attend the lessons or classes. Activities occur in person at the Moody Music Building, UA campus. It is the responsibility of the student to have connectivity and equipment to take lessons in the rare event (ex. health reasons, UA mandate) that a lesson occurs via distance. The program has an application process for financial assistance. See tab above or email jweigel@ua.edu
Lesson Schedule & Cancellation Policy: The day and time of your weekly private lesson is negotiated between you and your selected teacher in advance of your enrollment. It is important to consider all of the lesson dates in the session in order to avoid conflicts with other obligations (ex. school field trips, dental appointments, etc.). Once you and your selected teacher confirm a schedule and the lessons begin, no alteration of the schedule can occur. Shifting to another teacher within the session is not permissible. All lessons must be completed prior to the start of the next semester, ie no lessons can be shifted to another session. Consider travel and parking time when agreeing to your weekly lesson time. Students who are late for a scheduled lesson or forget their lesson books cannot be guaranteed their full lesson length. Students who cancel or do not attend their regularly scheduled lesson do not receive a make-up. If the teacher has to cancel for any reason they will provide a make-up.
In-person private lessons and group instruction may include brief and limited physical adjustment for proper student playing position of the hand and/or body posture.
Locations: In-person lessons are taught in music practice rooms or faculty studios which have unobstructed windows in the doors. All doors remain unlocked during lessons. Ensembles and group classes are taught in rehearsal spaces and classrooms.
Recitals: Participation in recital is not guaranteed with your enrollment. Participating in a formal performance is by invitation of your teacher. Your teacher may offer a session-culminating recital performance opportunity but some do not.
Instruments & Materials: Instruments must be in good repair ie in good playing condition for lessons. Instrument rental and purchases of printed music and method books are the responsibility of the student. These costs are not covered by the tuition fees. All questions regarding materials should be directed to the private lesson, class, or ensemble teacher. The CMS owns a small number of string instruments which may be checked out for a use-fee ($25/semester). These are available on a first-come-first-served basis and use of any CMS-owned instrument is arranged by contacting Dr. Weigel at jweigel@ua.edu A borrowed instrument must be returned at the end of the semester if the student will not be re-enrolling in the next session.
Minor Participants: A parent or legal guardian of an enrolled minor child will need to remain in the instructional space during the lesson. Exception: A minor may participate without their parent or legal guardian present if they are a University of Alabama enrolled student (ie enrolled in Early College or as an undergraduate) OR if taking Campus Orchestra and they enroll via RYZER, the Youth Protection Office option.
Unscheduled Closures / Inclement Weather: Only if The University of Alabama closes due to inclement weather, will Community Music also be closed. If you are unsure about a possible weather related closure, please check area TV announcements or check the University’s website, ready.ua.edu to see if we are closed. If you do not see a closure notice on the main page, then CMS activities will continue as scheduled.
Scheduled Holidays & Breaks: CMS operates on the UA calendar, which may not align with Tuscaloosa City Schools and Tuscaloosa County Schools. CMS activities will meet if UA buildings/offices are scheduled to be open (even if UA students have Honors Day or Study Breaks). Please refer to the CMS calendar.
Emergency Operations Plan (EOP): The University of Alabama has a comprehensive emergency operations plan in place to deal with incidents that may occur on campus. The plan incorporates the U.S. Homeland Security’s National Incident Management System (NIMS) protocols and delegates the University Police as the initial responder. University Police: 205-348-5454
Parking: The Capstone Parking Deck (entrance off of 2nd Avenue) is your most reliable and convenient parking site for attending activities at Moody Music Bldg. Purchasing the Patron Parking Permit ($40/year, hangtag for your car) opens the deck gate when you approach. You can also ‘pay as you go’ with this deck using a credit card ($1/first hour, accepts only VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express) 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. M-F. The cost reduces to .50 per hour 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. M – F and Weekends.
There is limited street parking (free) on 9th Street, within walking distance to Moody Music Bldg. Faculty/staff who have a permit/hangtag can use the lot behind Moody Music Bldg. and the Capstone Parking Deck. Blocking or leaving your car unattended in the circle drive of Moody, parking against a yellow curb, on the grass, etc., may result in a ticket. Always park in a legal space and in the designated parking area.
To purchase a Patron Parking permit (music) visit the Transportation Hub at 451 Campus Drive East For more information: http://bamaparking.ua.edu/
How to Enroll
Once you have a confirmed schedule (day/time) with your selected teacher for your weekly lesson at Moody Music Bldg, use the link below (text in red caps) 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, 2024. Contact 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.