Policies updated 6/1/2026
REGISTRATION, ATTENDANCE, AND MAKE-UPS
Each enrollment reserves a specific instructor, at a certain day and time each week, for the full semester. Once registered, students remain obligated to pay for the full semester, regardless of student absence(s) due to vacations, field trips, family obligations, school obligations, sports and other schedule conflicts.
CMS does not provide a refund or credit for student absences. Requests for an exception to this policy, due to extended illness, injury or other special circumstances, must be provided to CMS in writing; and will be determined on a case-by-case basis in the sole discretion of CMS.
STUDENT ABSENCE
Please notify CMS in advance of any student absence by calling (860) 767-0026. Providing prior notice of a student absence does not exempt the student from paying as contracted, nor does it grant the student a make-up at no charge.
To provide a consistent schedule for all students and instructors, CMS does not offer make-up lessons, refunds or credits for student absences. Each instructor will offer one (1) group workshop opportunity for their private lesson students, at no charge to the students, during the fall and spring semesters.
LATE ARRIVAL
Students who arrive late are not guaranteed to receive their full instruction time. For private lessons, CMS faculty will wait for a tardy student for one-third (1/3) of the scheduled lesson time before recording a student absence.
ABSENCE DUE TO RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY
In the event of a student absence due to a religious holiday, the instructor will offer a make-up during the semester at a mutually convenient time, or the student’s account will be credited; provided the student must give notice to CMS at least one (1) week prior to the absence.
INSTRUCTOR ABSENCE
In the event of an instructor absence or unscheduled school closure, missed lessons, classes and ensembles will be made up during the semester at a mutually convenient time, or the student’s account will be credited.
SCHEDULE CHANGES
Any request to change a scheduled private lesson must be provided to CMS in writing. CMS cannot guarantee that another acceptable time slot with the instructor will be available. CMS does not provide a refund or credit for student withdrawal due to an unresolved schedule conflict.
TRIAL LESSONS
Students may schedule up to three (3) trial lessons before committing to a full semester. Payment for trial lessons is due at registration, at the following rates:
The cost for a 30-minute trial lesson is $47.00.
The cost for a 45-minute trial lesson is $68.00.
The cost for a 60-minute trial lesson is $88.00.
STUDENT WITHDRAWAL
An enrolled student’s request to withdraw from lessons, classes or ensembles must be provided to CMS in writing. CMS does not provide a refund or credit for student withdrawal. Requests for an exception to this policy, due to extended illness, injury or other special circumstances, must be provided to CMS in writing; and will be determined on a case-by-case basis in the sole discretion of CMS.
Registration fees and deposits are non-refundable.
CANCELLATION BY CMS
CMS reserves the right to postpone, reschedule or cancel any lesson, class, ensemble or other program due to insufficient enrollment. In the event of cancellation, or if a class is postponed or rescheduled and an enrolled student can no longer participate, CMS will issue a refund or credit in the amount of any registration fee and deposit paid.
TERMINATION
CMS reserves the right to dismiss any student because of frequent absences, tardiness, or disruptive or injurious behavior.
MUSIC TOGETHER CLASSES
By enrolling in a Music Together class at Community Music School, a licensed Music Together center, you agree that any information you provide will be shared with Music Together Worldwide (MTW). For information about how MTW uses and stores your personal information, we encourage you to review the Music Together Worldwide Privacy Policy.
UNSCHEDULED CLOSINGS, CANCELLATIONS AND DELAYED OPENING NOTIFICATIONS
In the event of an unscheduled closing, cancellation or delayed opening due to weather or other special circumstance, CMS will provide notice in the following ways:
Email to all enrolled students
Message on CMS website (https://cmsct.org/calendar/weather/)
CMS does not follow the weather-related closing decisions of the local public schools.
If an individual instructor must cancel a lesson or class, the instructor will contact students directly by telephone and/or email.
RECITALS AND PERFORMANCES
Recitals are held at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters to celebrate students’ accomplishments throughout the semester. In addition, CMS students may be invited to participate in community events, CMS’s annual holiday concert, mid-semester recitals and occasional showcases or open houses. While recitals are optional, all students are encouraged to participate, as performing is an integral part of the musical experience.
ONLINE LESSONS & CLASSES
All CMS policies described herein apply equally to online programming and in-person programming.
Children (17 years of age or younger) should have a parent or guardian present in the home during any online lesson. Parents/guardians are encouraged to participate in online lessons for young children to help keep them focused and on task, and to assist with instrument tuning, as needed. CMS reserves the right to record any online lesson, class, rehearsal or ensemble to be used for supervisory or marketing purposes, in accordance with CMS’s Media Policy, detailed herein.
SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN
Parents/guardians are responsible for their child’s safe arrival at CMS, and for timely pick-up at the end of each lesson or class. CMS instructors and staff are not responsible for supervising children outside of their scheduled class or lesson time.
PAYMENTS, REGISTRATION FEES, DEPOSITS & DISCOUNTS
CMS accepts payments by cash, check and credit card (Visa, MasterCard and Discover only). Payments can be delivered or sent by mail to: Community Music School, 90 Main Street, P.O. Box 387, Centerbrook, Connecticut 06409. Credit card payments can be made by calling CMS at (860) 767-0026, or online by logging into your ASAP portal account.
REGISTRATION FEES
A registration fee of $20 per student per semester is due upon enrollment for private and semi-private lessons, classes and ensembles (Fall & Spring Semesters).
There is no Registration Fee for lessons, classes or ensembles meeting during the Summer Session.
All registration fees are non-refundable, except as otherwise provided by CMS policy.
DEPOSITS
A deposit in the amount of $140 is due upon enrollment for private and semi-private lessons. All deposits are non-refundable, except as otherwise provided by CMS policy.
DISCOUNTS
CMS offers the following discounts, which apply to tuition only (not class materials or registration fees):
A 5% “Multi” discount for 2 or more sets of private lessons in the same family during the Fall and Spring semesters.
A 10% discount for seniors, age 65 and over.
PAYMENT PLANS
CMS offers three (3) payment plan options for the Fall and Spring semesters:
- One-Payment Plan (no fee): A deposit of $140 is charged at registration, and the balance of tuition is automatically charged to the credit card on file on 9/15 (Fall Semester) or 1/15 (Spring Semester).
- Two-Payment Plan ($10 fee): A deposit of $140, plus the payment plan fee of $10, is charged at registration, and the balance of tuition is automatically charged to the credit card on file in two (2) equal installments, on 9/15 and 10/15 (Fall Semester) and 1/15 and 2/15 (Spring Semester).
- Three-Payment Plan ($15 fee): A deposit of $140, plus the payment plan fee of $15, is charged at registration, and the balance of tuition is automatically charged to the credit card on file in three (3) equal installments, on 9/15, 10/15 and 11/15 (Fall Semester) and 1/15, 2/15 and 3/15 (Spring Semester).
To enroll in a payment plan, please contact CMS at (860) 767-0026.
LATE FEES & DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS
CMS reserves the right to discontinue instruction and/or suspend any student from participating in any lesson, class, rehearsal, recital, concert and other activity at or sponsored by CMS if payments are not received within thirty (30) days after the due date. Students may not register for additional lessons, classes or other programs until all past due balances are paid in full.
LATE FEES: Payments not received within thirty (30) days after the due date will be charged a $25 late fee.
FINANCIAL AID
Through the generosity of local friends, donors, organizations and businesses, and fundraising events held throughout the year, CMS is proud to offer financial aid to students who require financial assistance.
The CMS Scholarship Fund provides financial aid to students of any age and ability level, including preschoolers and adults, with demonstrated financial need, for private lessons, groups and ensembles. CMS expects that students who receive financial assistance to demonstrate strong motivation, good attendance, and commitment to lessons.
Click here to download a financial aid application.
INSTRUMENT RENTAL
CMS does not sell or rent instruments. For a list of local businesses that sell or rent instruments, please contact CMS at (860) 767-0026 or via email (info@cmsct.org).
MEDIA RELEASE
Unless CMS receives advance written notice to the contrary, students enrolled at CMS grant permission and consent to CMS to take and use images, photographs, audio recordings and video recordings of students during lessons, classes, rehearsals, performances, concerts, recitals and other activities, and further grant permission and consent that any such images, photographs, audio recordings and video recordings may be published and/or posted, in a professional and appropriate manner, for educational and promotional purposes, including but not limited to marketing materials, grant applications, and press releases, and used by CMS royalty-free in its print, audio and electronic promotional efforts, including its website or social media, to promote and demonstrate the music experience at CMS. This consent further releases any expectation of confidentiality or privacy otherwise held by students enrolled at CMS.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS FOR PARTICIPATION AT CMS
Students enrolled at CMS recognize the inherent risks of accident, injury and illness associated with playing a musical instrument and/or engaging in movement, music, wellness and dance activities, and acknowledge that they are participating with the express understanding that they accept full responsibility for their own safety and welfare. Each student releases The Community Music School, Inc. (hereinafter “CMS”) and its agents, officers, directors, members, managers, employees, contractors and instructors (hereinafter “Releasees”) and agrees to hold CMS and Releasees harmless from and against any and all claims and liabilities whatsoever which they may have at any time arising out of participation in any lesson, class, event, program, performance or other activity at or offered by CMS, except for those resulting directly from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of CMS.
In the event of an emergency, CMS staff will contact 911 and attempt to reach a parent/guardian or emergency contact, as soon as possible, and transport any student, if needed, to the Middlesex Hospital Emergency Clinic in Westbrook, Connecticut.
