Summer Session

CMS offers a variety of summer music and arts programs for all ages! The 2018 Summer Session runs from June 25th  through August 17th. In addition to our state-licensed arts day camp  Kate’s Camp for Kids, we also offer private lessons,  Broadway Bound Musical Theater Experience,  group lessons, workshops, ensembles and more.
Classes may be delayed or canceled if sufficient enrollment is not reached. Summer registration is accepted for accounts in good standing (paid in full or enrolled in a payment plan).  A limited number of scholarships are available in the summer on a first-come, first-served basis. You can download the application here.

Private Lessons

Our 8-week summer session offers flexible scheduling with no minimum or maximum number of lessons required. Lesson time slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and payment is due at the time of registration. Private lessons are offered for most instruments during summer session; current students are not obligated to enroll in the summer session.
SUMMER TUITION:
30-minute lessons = $38 per lesson
45-minute lessons = $57 per lesson
60-minute lessons = $75 per lesson
SUMMER SAVINGS:
30-minute lesson 4-PACK – Schedule 4 for $144*
45-minute lesson 4-PACK – Schedule 4 for $216*
Senior citizen discount offered for students age 65+. There are NO REFUNDS and NO CREDITS for missed lessons and dates may not be rescheduled. *4-PACK Lessons must be scheduled for consecutive summer term weeks, at the same time each week, to receive the 4-PACK price.
Please call to schedule private lessons: 860-767-0026

Kate’s Camp for Kids

July 9 – August 10, 2018; Ages 5 to 10, $295 per week-long session

This state-licensed camp brings together professional teaching artists with one of the area’s leading providers of arts education – Community Music School – at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. Find out more and register here!

Broadway Bound Musical Theater Experience

Ages 8 to 15; $375 per two-week session

This two-week program is for boys and girls ages 8-15 and gives your child the opportunity to experience every aspect of staging a musical with onstage and backstage roles for everyone – singing, dancing, acting, creating sets, and assembling costumes – all in just 10 days! These shows are abridged, fully-licensed presentations and over the past 13 years, CMS productions have included “Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.,” “Cats,” “Seussical, Jr.,” and “Annie Jr.” among others. Find out more and register here!
July 9 – 20, 2018: Broadway Bound East “Mary Poppins” directed by Shari Wilcox
July 23 – Aug 3, 2018: Broadway Bound West “The Little Mermaid Jr.” directed by Joni Gage

Beginning Group Piano with Tom Briggs

Monday-Thursday, July 9-12, 2018, 4:00-5:15 pm; Ages 7-12, $125 (includes book)

This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of basic music notation, finger technique, proper posture, counting and rhythms. Our fun, interactive approach uses our Yamaha 88 key digital pianos that feature 500 sounds. The last class is a group performance including a recap of the week. This is an excellent primer for the beginning piano student who may want to continue with private lessons.
The Alfred Beginning Group Piano Method book will be used in this class and is included in the cost of tuition.

Children’s Summer Theatre  directed by Nicole Palmer

July 9-20, 2018, Mon-Fri,  9am-12pm; Ages 4-9, $185 per child, $330 for two children
Westbrook High School, 156 McVeagh Road, Westbrook; Performance on July 20th at 11am

Community Music School is partnering with Westbrook Parks & Recreation this year on a half-day summer theatre program for children ages 4 to 9. Participants learn the basics of acting, singing, and dancing in this two-week program and present a mini show for friends and family on the last day. Director Nicole Palmer will bring out the little actor or actress in all of them! Perfect for children not quite ready for a full-day camp who are looking to make their stage debut!
This year’s show will be Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Kids!

CMS Drum Village with Marty Wirt

Tuesdays, July 10-August 14,   6:00-6:45 pm; All ages, beginners (no prior percussion experience necessary!),$165 includes a djembe drum!
*CMS East Lyme studio – 179 Flanders Road, Niantic (above Kumon Center)

Drum Village is an opportunity for all ages to participate in a hands-on percussion ensemble that explores musical traditions from around the world. Students will learn to coordinate intricate rhythmic patterns, build a sense of community, and [optional] participate in a performance on the last day.

First Notes: Musical Beginnings for Young Children with Martha Herrle

Wednesdays, June 27, August 15 & August 22,  9:30-10:15am; Ages 1.5-3 years, $10 each or $25 for all 3!

Join us for 3 lively mornings of music with Miss Martha this summer! You and your child will enjoy quality time together in these engaging music classes!

Intensive Chamber Music Week for all instruments directed by Christine Coyle

July 23-27, 2018 5-7 pm; Ages 8 – adult, $125 per week-long session

Spend one week each late afternoon working in small groups to bring a chamber music work to performance level by Friday! The two hours will include private instruction on your part, group coaching, time to rehearse on your own, and master classes where you can perform and learn from each other.  The week will be topped off with a final performance at 7 pm on Friday! Chamber groups will be formed based on who signs up. Music will be supplied in advance.

Introduction to Music Technology with Tom Briggs

Tuesday, July 24, 2018, 9:30am-1:00pm, Ages 10-18, $50, all skill levels!

An introduction and overview of our digital age that covers all you need to get started with music technology. Explained in simple terms, this one-day workshop will cover the basics of music software programs, songwriting, music production, midi files, and music on the Internet. The three main programs demoed include Audacity (recording/sequencing) GarageBand (recording/production), Sibelius (recording/notation). The presentation will be on a state of the art Apple computer. Taught with an interactive focus, lots of questions and answers as well as fun musical examples.
Music Technology assists the musician or composer to make or perform music; to compose, notate, playback or record songs or pieces; or to analyze or edit music in the digital age.

Summer Band with Patricia Hurley for woodwinds, brass and percussion players

Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 10-August 2, 2018, 4:30-6 pm; Ages 12 – adult, $95

Join us for an opportunity to play music of various types with other wind, brass and percussion players while improving skills by learning new repertoire! We will work in small like-instrument groups as well as together as a large ensemble.

Summer Jazz Workshop with Tom Briggs

Tuesday, July 17, 2018, 9:30am-12:30pm; Ages 11-17, For advanced beginners and up (some note reading & technical abilities required), $45

Open to all instrumentalists (including strings) this ensemble performance workshop will cover the basics of jazz performance including improvisation. Songs from the jazz repertoire will be tailored to each student’s proficiency level and the instructor will accompany students on piano. The workshop ends with a group performance.

Summer Rock Camp with John Birt

Monday-Friday, July 30-August 3, 9:00am-12:00pm; Ages 12+, For intermediate to advanced students (must know basic note reading and chords), $225
For guitar, bass, drums, woodwinds, brass & vocal students! Performance on August 3rd at 1pm at the Centerbrook Meetinghouse

Join us for a weeklong camp that will end in a live performance at the Centerbrook Meeting House! Summer Rock Camp will help students to explore popular music. Students will gain experience putting together an ensemble and learn how to prepare for a performance. All instruments are welcome, as well as all styles of music such as classic rock, country, pop, blues, and more!

Summer Wind Ensemble with Marty Wirt

Tuesdays, July 10-August 14,   7:00-7:45pm; Ages 12+, for intermediate woodwind and brass students,$95
*CMS East Lyme studio – 179 Flanders Road, Niantic (above Kumon Center)

An intergenerational ensemble for intermediate level woodwind and brass players looking to perform with other like-minded musicians in a fun, supportive setting. Director Marty Wirt has extensive experience in band and ensemble direction and enjoys working with musicians from all walks of life. The ensemble will play a mix of classical and contemporary pieces with a performance for friends and family on the last day!

Ukulele Workshop for Beginners with John Birt

Saturday, August 25, 2018,  12:00-2:00PM; Ages 8+ and adults, $42 (without instrument), $77 including new ukulele

Learn the fundamentals of the ukulele in a group program dedicated to the absolute beginner! Includes an overview of the instrument, tuning basics, fundamental chords and strumming, and an introduction to note reading using the Hal Leonard Ukulele Method Book 1 (book included with tuition!).