Programs

• Virtual Programs
  Ongoing

  • Private Lessons (virtual and in-person)
  • Individual and Group Music Therapy (virtual and in-person)

• Private Lessons

  Private lessons are available for both youth and adults students with little to no playing experience to the more advanced. Choose from over 20 instruments to learn, including piano, woodwind and brass, strings, percussion, voice, and more. During each lesson, emphasis is placed on development of musical skills, including reading and technical skills, using a repertoire based on the students' goals. Individuals in private lessons participate in weekly lessons, school-wide recitals, and occasional guest master classes. 

  Lessons are offered on a variety of instruments, including:
  
  

  Piano

  One-on-one piano instruction is available to both adult and youth students with all levels of experience. Suzuki piano lessons are available for children and youth and group piano classes are offered for both youth and adults.

  Strings

  Offered on violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, and harp. Suzuki strings lessons are also available for children and youth.

  Woodwinds and Brass

  Offered on flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet/cornet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba. Private instruction on woodwinds generally begin when a student’s physical development enables the student to play the instrument—typically fourth grade. 

  Percussion

  Offered on snare drum, keyboard percussion, timpani, and drum set.

  Voice

  Private voice instruction begins when the student’s voice is mature enough to benefit from instruction outside group singing, generally around age 16. Students younger than 16 must request a special consultation with a voice faculty member before enrolling for voice lessons. Youth beginning at age 7 may participate in one of the Children and Youth Choirs.

  Carillon

  Instruction on MSU’s Beaumont Tower carillon is available on a limited basis to students with keyboard skills and is by audition only.

   

  Composition and Theory

  Students can study music theory, composition, and computer music. Arrangements can be made for private or group theory/composition/technology lessons.

   

  Buddy Lessons

  Buddy Lessons are a great way to make music lessons more affordable and ideal for students unable to fit weekly lessons into their schedules and new students who want to explore an instrument. The buddy lesson options are:

  • two students with the same teacher at the same time, or
  • two students with eight alternating, biweekly individual lessons with the same teacher

  Call CMS at (517) 355-7661 or visit the office to discuss Buddy Lesson options.

   

  Register for Private Lessons

  Lesson times are scheduled around student and teacher availability.

  View pricing for private lessons

  Contact CMS at (517) 355-7661 to register for private lessons.

• Children and Youth
  • Beginning Violin
  • Children and Youth Choirs 
  • Early Childhood Music Education - for ages 0-5 
  • Group Piano 
  • Making Music - for ages 5-7 
  • Rock
  • Suzuki Strings and Piano
  • Vocal Village - for ages 5-7 

• Adults
  • Choral Union
  • CMS String Ensemble 
  • Group Piano
  • Musicians' Wellness Offerings
  • Adult Ensembles

• Music Therapy
  • Group Music Therapy (virtual and in-person)
  • Individual Music Therapy (virtual and in-person)
    
    Stay tuned for the next one-of-a-kind, inclusive, and fun Eric 'RicStar' Winter In-Person and Virtual Music Therapy summer camp designed for all people with disabilities and their siblings. Camp 2025 dates: TBA

• Summer Camps
  • Eric 'RicStar' Winter In-Person and Virtual Music Therapy Camp
  • Middle School Band Camp 
  • Beginning Strings Camp 

Financial Assistance Is Available

CMS offers financial assistance to those with varying levels of financial need. Learn more about the CMS financial assistance program.

 

Important Dates

Fall 2024

• December 22-23 - Winter Break - no regularly scheduled lessons/classes/ensembles or music therapy sessions
• December 24, 2024 - January 1, 2025 - CMS CLOSED
• January 2 - 5, 2025 - Winter Break - no regularly scheduled lessons/classes/ensembles or music therapy sessions
• January 6, 2025 - Fall Semester resumes
• January 18, 2025 - Last day of Fall Semester
• January 20, 2025 - CMS CLOSED

SPRING 2025

• January 21, 2025 - Spring Semester Begins
• May 24, 2025 - Spring Semester Ends