CMS Updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

April 13, 2020

April 13, 2020: CMS Suspends In-Person Activities Through Summer

In accordance with Governor Whitmer’s shelter-in-place directive, the Community Music School is saddened that we must cancel all in-person activities, including lessons, classes, ensembles and music therapy services for the remainder of the spring semester.

In addition, CMS will follow the plans and actions of Michigan State University with regards to suspending in-person instruction through the summer semester – all upcoming CMS in-person summer camps have been cancelled at this time. 

Many of our private lesson instructors are continuing to teach virtually, and we are working on a plan to increase online instruction for our other areas and ensembles, including summer camp offerings. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we work to establish new processes during this uncertain time. Continue to be on the lookout for new information regarding these new and updated opportunities.

We understand there are financial implications that vary family by family and CMS will provide a refund for any activities not completed. Please reach out to our office by calling 517-355-7661 or emailing us at commusic@msu.edu to arrange for a refund by June 1, 2020. All staff continue to work remotely and response time may be longer than usual. Please be sure to leave a voicemail when calling so that we can return your call.

CMS leadership and faculty are working hard to offer vital musical services to our community including those in need, during these challenging times. As we work to develop alternate safe and productive ways to deliver meaningful learning opportunities through the innovation of technology, we seek to sustain, as best we can, administrative, facility, and non-salaried faculty overhead. Our thanks to those who have contacted us about redirecting their tuition balance toward this end. Should you wish to do the same we would be grateful. Or, if you would like to make a special gift to help CMS through these difficult times, please click here.

We look forward to continue making music with you and your family. Stay well.

 

 

March 30: CMS Activities Suspended Through at Least April 13

In compliance with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s announcement of a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order, The MSU Community Music School has suspended activities, including in-person lessons, classes, ensembles and music therapy services until April 13, at the earliest. 

This week, Gov. Whitmer is anticipated to make an announcement regarding the potential of public schools remaining closed through the end of this semester. CMS will continue to use this information from the government, along with the Ingham County Health Department and Michigan State University to make decisions on when to resume classes. This information will be shared with you as soon as it is determined.
As we continue to remain hopeful that we will be back to making music with you soon, here are the primary points to know about CMS operations at this time. 

  • Your safety and well-being are our priorities. Although this is a time of challenge and uncertainty, the health and safety of our CMS families, faculty, staff, communities, state, and nation are of utmost importance. We hope you will continue to join us in doing our part to keep each other safe. Here's how you can help.

  • We’re trying new approaches to continue music lessons and music therapy. On a case by case basis, faculty are considering alternative approaches to deliver instruction as it is appropriate. Instructors have contacted families directly to make arrangements to continue instruction when possible. Please be patient as the process continues to evolve. 

  • We’re still here for you. While all CMS staff are working remotely, we are set up to maintain operations. Please call us or email us with questions. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Please expect delays, but know that we will get back to you, typically within one business day.

  • Our plans for when we reopen. We will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. When we do, we hope that we can extend the semester for certain activities or find other flexible solutions to pick-up where we left off. We understand there are financial implications that vary family by family and CMS will be flexible and responsive to each family’s needs. We ask for your continued patience during this time as we deal with so many unknowns.
Music is an integral part of the human spirit and although we are practicing physical distancing I would encourage all of you to connect with each other through the arts in a virtual setting.
Share your music stories, photos, and videos with CMS via social media. Tell us your favorite piece of music, your go-to song that lifts your spirits or gets you dancing during this time, or post a video of your daily practice routine - just be sure to tag CMS. You can also email your photo/video to be posted directly on CMS social media pages! 

 

 

March 17: CMS extends suspension of activities to April 6

As of March 17, the MSU Community Music School has suspended all activities, including lessons, classes, ensembles and music therapy services until April 6.

On a case by case basis, faculty are considering alternative approaches to deliver instruction as it is appropriate. Families will be contacted directly by faculty to make arrangements when possible. Please be patient as the process is established. It is our hope that we can reopen as planned on April 6 and extend the semester for as many activities as possible. We understand there are financial implications that vary family by family and CMS will be flexible and responsive to each family’s needs. We ask for your continued patience during this time as we deal with so many unknowns.

Additionally, the Community Music School Office will be operating under adjusted hours during this closure. Beginning Wednesday, March 18 the CMS office will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.

We encourage you to call us at 517-355-7661 or email us at commusic@msu.edu if at all possible. In following the recommendation of MSU, the CMS office will be minimally staffed and your call may not be answered right away. Please know office staff are diligently working to continue operations of CMS and will return your call as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. The novel coronavirus is impacting all of us and we have all had to make many adjustments in a short amount of time. Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones during this difficult time. Information will continue to be shared as decisions are made.


 

 

March 11: CMS suspends all activities from March 12-22 

Consistent with MSU's policy regarding the coronavirus (COVID), effective tomorrow, March 12 at 8 a.m., CMS is suspending all activities to ensure the health and safety of our faculty, students and families.

This suspension of in-person classes will last through Sunday, March 22. We will evaluate this decision on an ongoing basis, sharing additional updates or modifications via email, CMS website and social media as more information becomes available. We appreciate your patience during this evolving process.
 
The CMS office will remain open during this period, however no activity of any kind (individual or group instruction/music therapy) will be allowed to occur in the building during the period of March 12-22.
 
Keeping the health and safety of you and your families in mind, we encourage everyone to practice appropriate social distancing and enhanced preventative public health measures as communicated by MSU at www.msu.edu/coronavirus. 
 
This is a difficult time and we appreciate your understanding as we do our best to navigate this period of uncertainty. Stay safe!




Additional MSU Communications on COVID-19