A Grand 40th Anniversary Celebration

CMS celebrated its 40^th Anniversary in style on Oct 14 with a concert that will not soon be forgotten! Broadway music director/pianist extraordinaire (as well as Essex native, current Lyme resident, and CMS board member) Todd Ellison arranged and presented a fantastic star-studded evening of music for a sold-out crowd at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook. 

Broadway stars Christopher Sieber, Marissa McGowan, Klea Blackhurst, and Norm Lewis each wowed the audience with solo and ensemble selections, accompanied by Todd (piano) and CMS faculty members Tom Briggs (drums) and Matt McCauley (bass). It was such a treat for all in attendance to experience the incredible artistry and energy of these top artists in an intimate venue.

Other highlights:

CMS trombone student Annamarie Mueller performed a wonderful rendition of “Send in the Clowns”



If the stars on stage weren’t already enough, Amanda Kloots, Jane Lynch, and Barry Manilow sent congratulatory video greetings!



A wonderful short film was premiered: “CMS at 40 Years,” created by Addie Keyworth and Fallyn Belisle under the guidance of Chris LeQuire of Valley (HS) Media.

We can’t express enough thanks to Todd Ellison and Friends for this special evening that was historic for CMS and our community both musically and as a very successful fundraiser that will help sustain the school's future! Thanks to all who attended and supported CMS, and to our headline sponsors: The Bauman Family Foundation, Whelen Engineering, Bluewater Millwork & Construction, Essex Meadows, Carter Gowrie, Jeffrey Mehler CFP, Middlesex Health, and Reynolds Subaru. 

The evening's performers backstage at the Kate (left to right): Norm Lewis, Gavin Lodge, Annamarie Mueller, Christopher Sieber, Todd Ellison, Klea Blackhurst, Marissa McGowan, Matt McCauley, and Tom Briggs.

NOVEMBER 22-26

Thanksgiving Break- CMS closed

DECEMBER 19

CMS Holiday Concert featuring String Ensemble,

New Horizons Band, and other students

6:30 @ Valley Regional High School

DECEMBER 23-JAN 1

Holiday Break- CMS Closed

Spring Semester starts Jan 29, 2024

Now through Dec 15: current students receive priority registration for spring semester private lessons

Call now to reserve/keep your lesson time

with your incredible CMS artist/teacher faculty member

(they all hold music degrees!)

Registration for spring semester private lessons

opens to the general public Dec 18.

Register anytime for Spring 2024 ensembles:

New Horizons Band

String Orchestra

Acoustic Classic Rock Ensemble

Studio 24 Vocal Performance Class

Flute Ensemble

To Register: Call our office at 860-767-0026 or email us here

CMS ANNUAL APPEAL UNDERWAY

The Community Music School conducts its annual fundraising appeal each fall, raising the money required to sustain its operations and scholarship programs. The 2023-2024 appeal is underway! CMS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with an annual budget of about $600,000. The school receives about 70% of its operating costs from tuition, while the rest is raised by grants and generous donations from community-minded businesses and individuals in our area. You can contribute by clicking the button below. Thank you for your support!

CMS IN THE COMMUNITY

Community Music School is well represented in our surrounding communities through performances and presentations by our ensembles, students, board members, and faculty! Recent examples include:

The CMS New Horizons Band joined forces with the New Horizons Band of Southeastern CT for a performance in Old Lyme on Nov 7.

Students and faculty performed at the CMS Mid-Semester recital on Nov 11.

Executive Director Rick Wyman, trumpet instructor Paddy Hurley, and Music Together instructor Gwen Pond (seen here with two young visitors) represented CMS at the Nov 11 "Touch a Truck" event for young families at Grossman Nissan in Old Saybrook.

 We’re offering Music Together Mixed age (0-5) classes

(“Bells” song collection) as follows for Winter 2023:

Saturdays 9:30-10:15 AM starting Jan 6, 2024

(10 weeks- no class 2/17) taught by Bridget Haines

Wednesdays 9:30-10:15 AM starting Jan 10, 2024

(10 weeks) taught by Gwen Pond

Thursdays 9:30-10:15 AM starting Jan 11, 2024

(10 weeks) taught by Jessica Nevins

To Register: Call us at 860-767-0026, email ecarl@cmsct.org, or stop by the school at 90 Main Street Building 4, Centerbrook, CT.

Tuition: $235. In addition to your weekly classes, your tuition includes recordings and beautifully illustrated materials for you to use at home, online access to the songs through the exclusive “Music Together” app, plus a quarterly family newsletter full of resources and music-making ideas. Tuition for a second child (in the same family) is $195.

APPLY FOR THE CAROLYN GREENLEAF AWARD

 For Students Entering Grades 9-12 Who Reside in Middlesex County or the Lymes

Vocal and instrumental music students are invited to apply for the Spring 2024 Carolyn Greenleaf Memorial Music Award. The scholarship is awarded to two students for the Fall Semester (September - January) and two students for the Spring Semester (January – June). The award provides a one-time 50% scholarship for a 17-week semester of 30-minute private lessons at the Community Music School in Centerbrook, CT.

This award honors the memory of Carolyn Greenleaf, a resident of Essex who was passionate about music education and who worked tirelessly to promote music in our communities. The Carolyn Greenleaf Memorial Award Committee has partnered with the Community Foundation of Middlesex County to establish the Carolyn Greenleaf Memorial Fund.

Email or postmark completed applications and materials by 5pm on Friday, December 15, 2023 to:

Community Music School

P.O. Box 387 | Centerbrook, CT 06409

info@cmsct.org