CMS offers a variety of classes and ensembles that are designed to encourage students to expand their music skills and knowledge. These classes and ensembles may be taken alone or in conjunction with private instrumental or vocal study. Students need not be enrolled in private study at CMS to participate in a class or ensemble.
2017-2018 Class Tuition: $138 for 45-minute classes unless otherwise noted.
- Ensemble/Class Discount: 20% off the cost of ensembles/classes for students enrolled in private lessons
- Registration is required. Contact the Registrar for more information or to register for a class or ensemble.
Class & Ensemble Options
Students learn to compose original music focusing on melodic development, accompaniment, instrumentation and arrangement.
- Ages 12+ – some music theory knowledge is recommended.
- Quarter 2 – Thursdays 6:45-7:30pm
- Instructor: Odessa Balan
- Cost: $138/qtr
A Survey of Music Through the Ages – Middle Ages to Today
A chronological survey of western music history from the Middle Ages to today. Emphasis will be on musical terminology, style, vocal and instrumental genres, and major composers. This class is a lecture and listening format. High-school and adult students welcome. No prior musical knowledge necessary.
- Thursdays 7:45-8:30pm with Ray Mallari
- January 18 – May 31, 2018 ( No Class 3/29/2018)
- Cost: $210 Pre-Registration Required: 610-489-3676 or info@cmsmusic.org
This class will follow the evolution of electronic dance music, or EDM, from its roots in the 1970’s. We’ll listen to and discuss the music of Karlheinz Stockhausen, Paul Lanksy, Autechre, Brian Eno, Aphex Twin, and many more. We’ll learn about the early electronic pioneers who helped shaped modern artists such as Radiohead, Coldplay, and the decade’s most successful pop music. Space is limited – sign up today!
- Ages 12+
- Quarter 2 – Wednesdays 8-8:45pm
- Instructor: Jeff Ormsby
- Cost: $138/qtr
This is a chance for adult students who always wanted to learn to play guitar to learn in a small, group environment. Learn to play chords, basic finger technique and more. No experience necessary. Student are require to bring their own instrument- classical, acoustic or electric with portable amp are all acceptable. Space is limited – sign up today! Call (610) 489-3676 or email info@cmsmusic.org
- Ages 13+
- Quarter 2 – Mondays 8:15-9pm
- Instructor: Edele DeWees
- Tuition: $138/qtr
Learn the basic mechanics of guitar playing from posture and holding the instrument to how to get a good sound. Students learn basic techniques of guitar playing including how to use a pick and strumming patterns. Different methods for reading music is also introduced including reading guitar tab, chords and note reading. Students must bring their own guitar to class as well as a notebook and folder. Student are require to bring their own instrument- classical, acoustic or electric with portable amp are all acceptable. Space is limited – sign up today! Call (610) 489-3676 or email info@cmsmusic.org
- Ages 7-12
- Quarter 2 – Mondays 7:30-8:15pm
- Instructor: Edele DeWees
- Tuition: $138/qtr
CMS provides music theory classes for the beginner to the advanced level student. Even though music theory is discussed to a certain degree in the student’s private lesson, taking a theory/musicianship class enables the student to increase their musical knowledge and allows the private teacher to devote valuable lesson time to repertoire and technique. Please ask the Registrar about taking a Music Theory Placement test.
The theory curriculum used by CMS is based on the Theory Time and Associated Board of Royal Schools for Music curriculum. A placement exam is given prior to registration to determine which level of the curriculum is the most appropriate.
Students enrolled in a year-long music theory class are automatically enrolled in the Music Certificate Program. Enrollment in each class is for the full 36-week academic year. Classes meet for 45-minutes weekly. The cost is detailed below.
Students may also enroll in private lessons for music theory or composition. Lessons will be billed at the prevailing rate for 30, 45 or 60-minute private lessons.
Music Theory Discount: 20% off the cost of music theory classes for students enrolled in private lessons
2017-2018 Theory & Musicianship Class Schedule
Sight Reading for Strings
Coyne
Monday Qtr 2
5:30-6:15p
$138
Level 1
Leaver
Wednesday Qtr 1-4
7:00-7:45p
$138
Level
Leaver
Wednesday Qtr 1-4
6:45-7:00p
$138
Intro to Music Theory
Balan
Thursday Qtr 2
6:00-6:45p
$138
Composition
Balan
Thursday Qtr 2
6:45-7:30p
$138
Sight Reading for Strings – Mondays 5:30-6:15pm
Sight-reading can often be a tricky and frustrating subject for students to learn. Unless the student’s parents can read music, it’s nearly impossible for a student to practice it on their own at home. Likewise, the bulk of time in private lessons is spent on what the student has prepared, and going on to new material for them to prepare. There’s often simply not enough time to cover sight-reading. Having a consistent, weekly sight-reading lesson with an experienced teacher can tremendously boost a student’s ability. The long term gain is that student more quickly learns new repertoire and comes to have a better understanding of musical notation.
Percussion Club is a hand drumming workshop and rhythmic theory class designed for students ages 10+ and all levels of ability! We will learn to play various drums, bells, and toys while gaining a better understanding of rhythmic notation, time signatures, and subdivisions. Whether you’ve never played an instrument before, or you’re looking to work on your rhythm, playing drums together is always fun! Space is limited – sign up today! Call (610) 489-3676 or email info@cmsmusic.org
- Ages 10+
- Quarter 2 – Wednesdays 7-7:45pm
- Instructor: Jeff Ormsby
- Tuition: $138/qtr
For young students interested in voice study and improving their musicianship skills. Note reading, rhythm practice and pitch exploration are some of the topics covered. Students practice breathing and vocal exercises to emphasize proper breath support and vocal production. Students learn to apply these tools to repertoire appropriate for age and ability of the group. Space is limited – sign up today! Call (610) 489-3676 or email info@cmsmusic.org
- Ages 8-12
- Quarter 2 Tuesdays 4:45-5:30pm
- Instructor: Jennifer Abate Little
- Tuition: $138/qtr
Suzuki POP! (Paper Orchestra Program) is a 6-week workshops for children ages 4-7. During class, students will build a violin out of everyday household items, sing and move with their instrument through a variety of activities building musical skills, learn to watch, listen and follow a conductor and learn more about the Suzuki method of music learning. Suzuki POP! Students will be invited to participate in the Suzuki Academy Harvest Concert on Thursday, November 16th at 5:30pm. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Sign up today! Call (610) 489-3676.
- Ages 4-7
- Quarter 2 – Wednesdays 1-2pm November 8 – December 20, 2017 ( No class Nov. 22nd)
- Instructor: Ray Mallari
- Tuition: $75
Suzuki Parent Education Class for Current and Prospective parents. A Three-part session overview of the Suzuki method. A large part of the Suzuki triangle is the Suzuki parents! Parents participation contributed to the success their child’s Suzuki experience. More than fifty years ago, Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach.
- Three-Part Session: Wednesdays at 6:00-6:45pm with Julienne Ikegami
- Cost: $36 Pre-Registration Required: 610-489-3676 or info@cmsmusic.org