The CMS offers private lessons to students of all ages and levels of ability. Tuition is based on 1) the teacher you select, 2) the number of lessons in the session, and 3) the length of your weekly lesson (30-min; 45-min; 60-min). All CMS teachers have completed UA compliance training, passed background checks, and have previous teaching experience. Tuition covers instructional time. It does not include printed music or sound recordings. New students may enter the program at any time of the year: Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters.
- The CMS teacher listing can vary by semester or during each semester (as teacher schedules fill up).
- For an up-to-date list of available teachers in the area of your interest, email jweigel@ua.edu
CMS teacher categories are:
- Undergraduate Teacher: Carefully selected School of Music students who have their major professor’s approval for this outreach teaching. Teachers are seeking a degree in the area of their teaching (ex. only clarinet majors teach clarinet lessons).
- Graduate Teacher: Carefully selected School of Music students who have completed an undergraduate degree in music and are seeking their masters or doctoral degree at UA. They have their major professor’s approval for this outreach teaching. Teachers are seeking a degree in the area of their teaching (ex. only piano majors teach piano lessons).
- Professional Teacher: Music professionals who have advanced music degree(s) and/or additional credentials in the area they teach for CMS. These professionals may be affiliated with The Tuscaloosa Symphony, or another institution of higher learning in West Alabama. They have extensive teaching experience.
- Suzuki Teacher: Music professionals who have additional credentials in the Suzuki Method. These teachers may be members of the Suzuki Association of America. They have extensive teaching experience. Enrolling with a Suzuki teacher requires attending both the weekly private lesson and a number of group classes. For more information https://cms.music.ua.edu/suzuki-violin-program/
- Artist Teacher: Faculty members in the School of Music at The University of Alabama.
Mission Statement and Lesson Structure:
Your lesson teacher’s goal is to meet each student at their level when they enter the program. CMS teachers are experienced music educators and performers motivated to assist you in your development. Their pedagogical approach is designed to foster musical development including tone production, technique, posture as it relates to your instrument, repertoire, and performance practice. 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. Participation in recital is not included in lesson enrollment. The CMS teacher may offer a session-culminating recital performance opportunity but some do not. Once you and your selected teacher confirm a schedule and the lessons begin, there can be no alteration of the schedule. Students who are late or do not attend their regularly schedule lesson do not receive a make-up. If the teacher has to cancel for any reason they will provide a make-up lesson. All lessons must be completed prior to the start of the next semester, ie no lessons can be shifted to another session. CMS operates on the UA calendar, which may not align with the City and County Schools. See the CMS Calendar tab above for important session dates and closures. A parent or legal guardian of an enrolled minor child will need to remain in the instructional space during the lesson.