Courses

Private Lessons

The Community Music School offers private instruction in a variety of instruments for students age 3 through adult. Lessons are given at the historic Burrell-King house located at 315 East College Street in Oberlin, Ohio. A one-on-one relationship with the teacher and consistent practice helps students become proficient in their instrument. A variety of performance opportunities are available to enhance students' musical education. Lessons are available in the following instrument and vocal areas: 

  • Violin
  • Viola
  • Cello
  • Piano
  • Guitar
  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • Clarinet
  • Trumpet
  • Saxophone
  • Voice

Fall 2012 Semester dates: Lessons run from August 27, 2012 through January 13, 2013 (makeup week December 10-16)
Spring 2013 Semester dates: Lessons run from January 14, 2013 through May 12, 2013 (makeup week May 13-19)
Lessons are arranged at a time that works for both the teacher and the student.
Where: Burrell-King House (315 East College Street, Oberlin)
Tuition: Private Lesson tuition

Suzuki Lessons

Offered for piano or strings (violin, viola, and cello). In addition to the weekly private lesson, children and parents will attend a group class where they will play games to reinforce musical and technical issues with the instrument. No prior musical experience is needed on the part of the parent or the child. Read more about the Suzuki method.

Parent Orientation Classes

Fall 2012 Session dates: 8/25, 9/8, 9/15, 9/22* (no class on 9/1 for Labor Day weekend)
Spring 2013 Session dates: 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9*
*A fifth session will be held for piano students at a mutually convenient time.
Where: Burrell-King House (315 E. College St.)
Tuition: Built into private lesson fees. No additional fees for this class.

Suzuki Piano Beginnings

In addition to private lessons:
Fall 2012 Session includes: 8-30 min. group classes
Spring 2013 Session includes: 8-30 min. group classes
Tuition: $32 per semester after the first year of study

Suzuki Strings Beginnings

In addition to private lessons:
Fall 2012 Session includes: 12 group classes
Spring 2013 Session includes: 12 group classes
Tuition: Pre-twinkle/Twinkle (30 min. class) - $48 per semester, Book 1 – Book 4 (45 min. class) - $72 per semester, Book 5+ (60 min. class) - $96 per semester

The Music Development Program™ (MDP)

A comprehensive program offering the student an opportunity to measure their musical progress against a national standard. Providing a systematized program of assessments, progressively leveled in difficulty, the MDP fosters musical creativity, artistry, personal expression, and a love of music while setting goals according to the student's needs. Geared to any student planning to take the MDP exam. Read more about The Music Development Program.

Comprehensive Program

In addition to private lessons:
Fall 2012 Session includes: 12 weeks of theory class and 1 master class*
Spring 2013 Session includes: 12 weeks of theory class and 1 MDP practice assessment
Tuition: Music Theory I and II - $45 per semester, Music Theory III - $60 per semester

Suzuki Piano Plus

In addition to private lessons:
Fall 2012 Session includes: 12 weeks of theory class, 8-30 min. Suzuki group classes, and 1 master class*
Spring 2013 Session includes: 12 weeks of theory class, 8-30 min. Suzuki group classes, and 1 MDP practice assessment
Tuition: Music Theory I and II - $75 per semester, Music Theory III - $90 per semester

Suzuki Strings Plus

In addition to private lessons:
Fall 2012 Session includes: 12 weeks of theory class, 12 Suzuki group classes, and 1 master class*
Spring 2013 Session includes: 12 weeks of theory class, 12 Suzuki group classes, and 1 MDP practice assessment
Tuition: Music Theory I and II (30 min. group class) - $90 per semester, Music Theory I and II (45 min. group class) - $115 per semester, Music Theory III (45 min. group class) - $130 per semester, Music Theory III (60 min. group class) - $156/semester

*A master class is a public lesson where each student in the class will play his/her piece for a master teacher and will then receive feedback. The class will be presented in a manner that students will learn from each other's lessons.

Visit Royal Conservatory's Music Development Program Bookstore to purchase music at a 20% discount.  A $7 flat shipping rate will be applied to each order.

Musicianship and Music Theory

Music Theory I

Teacher: Hannah Hammell
Fall 2012 Session dates: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 11/27, 12/4 (no class on 10/23 for Oberlin College fall break)
Spring 2013 Session dates: 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 (no class 3/26 for Oberlin College spring break)
Session time: 6:30-7:00pm
Tuition: $75 per semester

This 30 minute class is designed for 7-10 year olds who are studying an instrument privately, or may be a member of the Choristers singing group. The class will prepare the student to take The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program assessment at the end of the school year. The class will incorporate games, puzzles, and movement in order to teach ear training, rhythmic understanding, note reading, and basic theory knowledge.

Music Theory II

Teacher: Hannah Hammell
Fall 2012 Session dates: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 11/27, 12/4 (no class on 10/23 for Oberlin College fall break)
Spring 2013 Session dates: 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 (no class 3/26 for Oberlin College spring break)
Session time: 7:00-7:30pm
Tuition: $75 per semester

This 30 minute class is designed for 11-14 year olds who are studying an instrument or voice privately. The class will prepare the student to take The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program assessment at the end of the school year. Students will work alone and in small groups to learn the fundamentals of music theory, rhythm, and ear training. This class will include music notation, time signatures, intervals, major and minor scales, building chords, ear training, and rhythmic notation.

Music Theory III

Teacher: Katelyn Emerson
Fall 2012 Session dates: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 11/27, 12/4 (no class on 10/23 for Oberlin College fall break)
Spring 2013 Session dates: 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 (no class 3/26 for Oberlin College spring break)
Session time: 7:30-8:15pm
Tuition: $100 per semester

This class is designed for high school students who are studying an instrument or voice privately. The class will prepare the student to take The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program assessment at the end of the school year. A placement test will be given at the beginning of each semester to determine areas of strength and weakness of those in the class. From there, a personalized curriculum will be devised for the students. Skills taught will include: music notation in treble and bass clef, time signatures, intervals, major and minor scales, building chords, ear training, and rhythmic notation.

MusicPlay

Director: Peggy Bennett, professor of music education
Session dates: Tuesdays, February 5 through April 30 (no classes March 26 for Spring Break)
Session times: 5-5:45 p.m. and 6-6:45 p.m.
Tuition: $60 per semester

MusicPlay, a program for children ages 3 to 5, introduces a variety of musical concepts through singing, moving, listening, describing, analyzing, and creating. Important social skills such as listening and sharing are developed in a nurturing environment. Classes are limited to 12 students.

Parents will observe MusicPlay classes, which are taught by Bennett and conservatory music-education students, and learn techniques for musical interaction that can be used at home or in a child-care setting.

String Preparatory Program

Director:  Joanne Erwin, professor of music education
Session dates: Thursdays, September through December and February through May.
Session time: 5:30 p.m.
Tuition: $100 per semester

The String Preparatory Program provides group and private instruction for the beginning, elementary-school-aged string player. The program is designed to enrich playing experiences for the beginning string player. Classes are taught by Erwin and conservatory students.

Instruments are available for rental through area music stores or for loan upon completion of a financial-need application.

Dalcroze Eurythmics

Instructor: Katie Cross
Fall 2012 Session dates: 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 12/1, 12/8 (no class on 11/24 due to Thanksgiving holiday).
Spring 2013 Session dates: 2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27 (no class on 3/30 for spring break recess).
Makeup class dates (if needed): 12/15 for fall semester; 5/11 for spring semester
Time: 10:00-10:30 a.m. (pre-K through first grade) and 10:30-11:00 a.m. (Grades 2-5)
Tuition: $75.00
Place: Burrell-King house (315 E. College St., Oberlin)

Dalcroze eurythmics teaches rhythm and musical expression through singing and movement. It provides the background and solid music skills needed in order to study any instrument. Children will be divided by age into the following groups: Pre-K and K, grades 1-3 and grades 4-6.

Chamber Music

The Oberlin Community Music School is pleased to announce the addition of a chamber music program to it's curriculum.  Small chamber groups of 3-5 students will be formed and will have weekly lessons from a master teacher of chamber music. This ten-week session will culminate with a chamber music concert to be held at the Burrell-King House. Chamber music is an excellent way to work on sight reading, rhythmic precision, communication and listening skills, while fostering a love for music.

Fall Session dates: The weeks of 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/26, 12/3. (No lesson the week of 11/19 for Thanksgiving.) Concert on Saturday, 12/8.
Spring session dates: The weeks of 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 4/1, 4/8. (No lesson the week of 3/25 for Spring Break.) Concert on Saturday, 4/13.
Session times: Teacher and students will find a time on a weekly basis that works for all involved.
Playing level: Students must have taken three to four years of private lessons to participate in Chamber Music. If a student is unknown to our teachers, an audition will be required.
Tuition: $100 per semester.
Where: Burrell-King house (315 E. College St., Oberlin)

Summer Chamber Music Camp

An end of the summer chamber music camp designed to help your child reboot for school year playing. The Summer Chamber Music Camp (SCMC) is a great way for your musician to enhance his/her instrumental skills while sharing in the joy of collaborating with other young musicians. Students will have two hours daily of coaching with professional faculty that will culminate with a concert at the end of the week. Daily enrichment classes will foster listening skills, musicianship, and will introduce students to other genres of playing, including fiddling. Read more about SCMC.

Summer 2013 session dates: August 12 – 16. Concert on Friday, 8/16 at 6:00pm.
Daily Schedule: 5:00 - 6:00pm chamber rehearsal/coaching with faculty, 6:00 - 6:30pm break/snack, 6:30 - 7:00pm musicianship/fiddling/musical jeopardy/listening, 7:00 - 8:00pm chamber rehearsal/coaching
Who: Any string player who has taken private lessons for at least two years. We encourage older students through high school seniors and pre-formed groups to attend.
Tuition: $80/week
Where: Oberlin Conservatory, 77 West College St., Oberlin OH 44074. (Concert will be held in Kulas Recital Hall.)

Interested in taking lessons with us?

Complete the Inquiry Form and you will be contacted by our office to answer questions about our programs. This does not commit you to enrolling, nor does it confirm availability in our programs. This is the first step for enrollment in any CMS private lesson or class offering.

 

Ready to enroll?

Complete the Registration Form after you've been in contact with our office and teaching staff and are ready to enroll for a semester class or private lessons.

Scholarships

Scholarship application deadlines for the 2012-2013 school year are July 31, 2012 for returning students and August 17, 2012 for new students.

Please note: Scholarship applications cannot be processed without proof of income.

Apply