COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC
The Meredith College Community School of Music (CSOM) offers musical opportunities to community members of all ages and levels.
This includes students who might wish to pursue careers in music, those who might wish to develop competent levels of skills to become life-long music enthusiasts, those who will simply play or sing to fulfill their own personal needs, or who might become important members of society’s concert audience.
Registrations for the 2024-25 academic school year closed on August 9th, 2024. Late registrations are now open.
Summer Camps and workshops will be open in February. Registrations for the 2025-2026 academic school year will open in August 2025.
Community School of Music (CSOM) Mission Statement:
If you are interested in improving your musical knowledge and skills, our Community School of Music (CSOM) offers a wide variety of individual and ensemble musical learning and performance opportunities.
Catalogue
Registration & Forms
Prospective students in the Community School of Music should complete our Inquiry form. From there, available teachers will reach out to schedule a sample lesson, interview, and, if necessary, an Audition. Interviews and auditions should occur the semester before beginning lessons.
Current students wishing to continue their lessons must register for fall and/or summer lessons each year. Annual registrations should include a Registration Form, Vehicle Registration Form, and payment. Returning students can pay for their tuition online with their student ID following these instructions.
New students must make initial payment by check, cashier’s check, or money order to set up their account. Meredith Accounting will provide a link to pay online that will allow credit cards for payments. You will receive a paper bill from the Meredith Accounting Department, by mail three times during the school year. Your deposit along with your registration form serves as your first payment.
The three bills will arrive in the middle of the fall semester, and at the beginning and middle of the spring semester. Students whose accounts with outstanding balances after May 1 will NOT be permitted to register for summer lessons or the next academic year until the balance is paid in full.
Pay by check, cashier’s check, or money order: Make checks out to Meredith College and include the student’s account number on the memo line. Checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders can be turned into the dropbox outside of the music office (104 Wainwright Music Building) or mailed to:
Meredith College Accounting Office 3800 Hillsborough St. Raleigh, NC 27607-5298
Bank Card (debit or credit): Returning students can pay online via card after making an initial deposit and receiving a student ID number. Online payments are processed through the Meredith Accounting Department and require a student ID number, which can be found on your billing statement. Follow these steps to make an online payment.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are offered year-round for ages 5 and up. Meredith welcomes students of all ages and backgrounds and encourages the fullest development of the potential inherent in each individual. Students register for 30-, 45- or 60-minute lessons, taught by Meredith faculty members. The individual attention offered by private study is an important part of musical development.
Tuition and Payment Schedule
Tuition is paid in four instalments per year (25% due at registration, 25% October 1st, 25% January 1st, 25% March 1st). There are 16 lessons per the Fall and Spring semester.
- 15-minute lesson tuition: $600.00, ($150.00 per payment)
- 30-minute lesson tuition: $1,200.00, ($300.00 per payment)
- 45-minute lesson tuition: $1,800.00, ($450.00 per payment)
- 60-minute lesson tuition: $2,400.00, ($600.00 per payment)
- 90-minute lesson tuition: $3,600.00, ($900.00 per payment)
Lessons offered: piano, voice (beginning age 13), violin, viola, cello, guitar, flute, organ, music theory and composition, bassoon, horn, and percussion.
Suzuki Program
Private and small group Suzuki lessons are offered in violin or viola to students from age three and up. Lessons reflect the philosophy of Dr. Suzuki who believed that all children could become fine musicians. Parent participation is expected. Lessons include 15-, 30-, 45-, or 60-minute private and small group lessons, concerts, and recitals.
For more information on our Suzuki program, please conctact Christina Wohlford, the Suzuki Groups Coordinator (wohlford@meredith.edu)
Tuition and Payment Schedule
Tuition is paid in four instalments per year (25% due at registration, 25% October 1st, 25% January 1st, 25% March 1st). There are 16 lessons per the Fall and Spring semester.
- 15-minute lesson tuition: $775.00, ($193.75 per payment)
- 30-minute lesson tuition: $1,375.00 ($343.75 per payment)
- 45-minute lesson tuition: $1,975.00, ($493.75 per payment)
- 60-minute lesson tuition: $2,575.00, ($643.75 per payment)
*The difference between Traditional and Suzuki lesson costs is $175.00 to cover teacher payroll for the extra group lessons included in Suzuki lessons.
Violinist and teacher Shinichi Suzuki developed what is known today as the “Suzuki Method” after he realized the implications of the fact that children all over world learn to speak their native tongue effortlessly. He began to apply the basic concepts of language development to the learning of music and named his method Talent Education. Suzuki believed that “musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability, just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited.” Here at Meredith College we have adopted Suzuki’s philosophy that every child can learn to play a musical instrument. Some key components to the success of this approach include:
The early years of development are most crucial for learning muscle coordination and training the ear. We recommend that you get your child listening to music as early as possible and we recommend that children start formal lessons at age three or four. Although starting musical training at an early age is beneficial, we believe that you are never too old to begin.
Parents are required to attend lessons and serve as their child’s at home teacher. This may sound like a daunting task, but the instructors at Meredith College will help you to learn the basics of your child’s instrument.
Just as your child learned how to speak by listening to thousands of words daily, your child can learn music by listening every day. Repetition is essential to learning how to play an instrument. Children learn and store music in the same way that they store words.
It is through constant praise and encouragement that this method is most successful. Although Suzuki believed that every child can learn and develop, he believed that every child learns at their own rate. Breaking down learning into small steps that can be mastered by the child helps build their confidence.
Children will have private and group lessons. The group lessons are to help reinforce techniques learned in private lessons and to build a sense of community within the program. It is important for students to be around other young violinists in order to stay motivated.
We believe that it is important to develop nice playing posture and refine your child’s musical ear before we introduce note reading. This way, instead of focusing on how to read music, they first learn how to create a beautiful tone that will bring them joy for the rest of their playing career.
Music Ensembles
Register for our ensembles using the CSOM 2024-2025 Registration Form links. Selections are listed under the Group Classes and Fees section of the registration form.
Contact: Luanne Roth, lroth@meredith.edu
Day/Time/Location: Wednesdays, 7:00 -9:00, 121 Wainwright Music Building
Fee: $235.00
Description: This class will serve the student who has had some prior instruction in playing the violin, viola, cello or bass and is able to perform Grade 2/3 level literature. Previous ensemble experiences is helpful but not required. Areas of focus will include study of standard literature at the Grade 2/3 level with emphasis on playing in tune, group bowing techniques for string players, balance, blend, and ensemble playing techniques. Outcome would be a public performance at the end of each semester. Class will meet on Wednesday, 7-9 p.m. in Jones Hall 121. Contact Luanne Roth at llroth@meredith.edu for more information.
Contact: Dave Harris, dmharris@meredith.edu
Day/Time/Location: Wednesday afternoon, 4:30-5:50 PM, 121 Jones Hall
Fee: $125.00 per semester (Music and gloves included). Students must register each semester.
Age Range: 13 and up
Description: The Meredith College Ringers, handbell ensemble, is returning for the 2024-2025 academic year. This group will be led by the Director of the Raleigh Ringers and is open to anyone interested age 13 and up who can read music on a basic level. The group will be limited to 15 members. The course will be offered to college students as a for-credit class and to community members through CSOM. Community members use the online CSOM registration form to sign up for this course.
The participants will help set-up and break down each week. The group will be limited to 15 participants. The semester will end with a public concert (date to be determined by the participants). In future semesters, we may entertain participation in handbell festivals and community events. Concert Black performance attire will be required.
Contact: (Frank) Hal Sargent, fdsargent@meredith.edu
Day/Time/Location: Varies, 121 Wainwright Music Building
Fee: Varies, contact instructor for details.
Age Range: 10 and up
Description: The Percussion Ensemble is for students who want to learn to play drums and percussion Instruments. From beginner to advanced there is something for all. Each class includes group time focusing on technique, musicianship, and working together in an ensemble. The Class meets on Thursdays from 6:30 pm to 7:30 p.m. Students may be invited to stay and play with college students. We perform traditional percussion ensemble literature, however we also perform pop and drum line pieces as well. The group puts on a concert at the end of each semester. Students do need to supply their own sticks and mallets.
Contact: Carla Copeland- Burns, cecopeland@meredith.edu
Day/Time/Location: Thursday evenings/ 6:00-7:15, Wainwright Music building
Fee: $50.00 per semester.
Age Range: High school juniors and up
Description: Flutastix provides intermediate-level flutists an opportunity to play in a group setting to further their skills and gain experience working with others. It is a collaboration with the Raleigh Area Flute Association and is open to high school juniors and seniors, college students, and adults.
At this time the Mixed Community Choir is not being offered during the 2024-2025 Academic year. We hope to get enough interest to offer it again soon. Please check back. We will put up an announcement here if the situation changes.
The mixed chorus is a mixed voice ensemble designed for adults who love to sing and wish to sing with other non-professional adults. No auditions are required. Rehearsals are on Sunday afternoons at Meredith College during the fall and spring semesters. The group performs a free public performance at the end of each semester. Participants are required to register and pay a fee of $150 each to participate. Contact Mark Woodcock at mawoodcock@meredith.edu with questions.
Music Camps
Community School of Music Summer camps are enrolling students for Summer 2025.
If you do not see dates and information for a camp you are interested in, please check back before May to see what will be offered. Our instructors are finalizing their plans now.
We hope to see you this summer!
