The Community Music School (CMS) at Southwestern College will host an open house on Monday, Aug, 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the lower level of the Darbeth Fine Arts Center on the Southwestern College campus. Community members are invited to attend. There will be an instrument petting zoo, a chance to tour the CMS studios, and an opportunity to learn what CMS has to offer families and individuals in Cowley County and beyond. Light refreshments will be served.

The CMS is now enrolling students for the 2021-2022 academic year. Teachers are available for piano, violin, viola, percussion, and voice. Private lessons can be scheduled at times that are most convenient for families and their busy lifestyles. In addition to private lessons, the CMS has many opportunities for group classes and ensembles this year.

The SC Pre-College String Ensembles are directed by Amber Peterson, associate professor of music at Southwestern College, and begin August 23 for students entering 4th through 12th grade and offer a wide array of ensembles and music education opportunities for the young string student. Tuition for ensembles varies depending on the number of ensembles a student participates in, but tuition starts at $40 for one ensemble per semester. A $25 annual registration fee covers up to three family members for all ensembles. A fourth family member is an additional $15, with a $40 cap per family. 

Beginning Group Piano is a class for students 7-10 years of age and begins Sept. 30, at 7 p.m. This eight-week group class is an introduction to piano and is taught by Marsha Granberry, longtime music educator, and piano instructor. Tuition for group piano is $80. A $10 registration fee is assessed once per academic year. 

The Southwestern Children's Choir, directed by Nikki Kirk, is a choral ensemble comprised of students in grades 3-8 serving Cowley County and the South Central Kansas region. This choir will meet on Tuesday evenings beginning Sept. 7, from 5:15-6 p.m. in the Darbeth Rehearsal Hall. The goal of the Southwestern Children’s Choir is to provide a collaborative and welcoming environment for the development of lifelong music skills and appreciation. There will be some performance opportunities throughout the year. Tuition is $35 per semester per child. A $10 registration fee will be assessed once per academic year. This fee covers up to three family members enrolled in any of the Community Music School group classes. (Group classes include: Beginning Group Piano class, Southwestern Children's Choir, Southwestern CommUNITY Percussion Group, and Melody Builders.)  If a participant is concurrently enrolled in private lessons or another group class through CMS, the group registration fee will be waived.

The Southwestern CommUNITY Percussion Group is a percussion ensemble for all community members from 8 to 108 years of age that will encourage and foster multi-generational relationships through a love of music and rhythm. Lead by Jeremy Kirk, this will be a hands-on experience and percussion instruments will be provided. This group will meet on Tuesday evenings, 6:15-7 p.m. in the Darbeth Rehearsal Hall beginning Sept. 7. Cost is $35 per participant, per semester. A $10 registration fee will be assessed once per academic year. This fee covers up to three family members enrolled in any of the Community Music School group classes. If a participant is concurrently enrolled in private lessons through CMS, the group registration fee will be waived.

For more information about the Community Music School and what it offers, please call Michelle Zakharov, CMS Director, at (620) 229-6188, email cms@sckans.edu., or visit the CMS website at www.sckans.edu/cms.