Community Music School

Celebrating 100 years of music education: 1925 - 2025

Winter Weather Alert

The CMS will be closed on Friday, January 10th due to inclement weather. All lessons, classes and rehearsals are cancelled at all locations.

2025 marks 100 years since visionary music educator and pianist Edna Lieber organized what would become the Community Music School dedicated to offering high-quality music education to all.

Over the years, you may have known us by different names including the Conservatory and School of the Arts (CASA), the St. Louis Symphony Music School, or Community Music School of Webster University (CMS) but we've always remained true to our original commitment of quality and accessibility.

Join us as we celebrate our Centennial, reflecting on our journey and looking forward to our future.

Our Programs

Quality

CMS instructors and conductors are professional musicians who are also master educators. They are evaluated on a regular basis, and more than 85% have advanced degrees. Faculty Biographies

Locations

CMS has convenient locations in Webster Groves and Chesterfield. Our headquarters on the Webster University campus includes 15 teaching studios, two rehearsal halls and a 470-seat concert hall. More on Locations

Financial Assistance

Need-based tuition assistance, as well as endangered instrument awards, family and multiple instrument discounts, orchestra student discount, and artistic merit scholarships are available. More on Assistance

Performance Opportunities

Monthly recitals give individual lesson students the chance to polish and perform music for others — building goal-setting skills and performance poise. In addition, CMS offers multiple orchestras, ensembles and chamber music for school-aged musicians.

Cancelled: Fall Faculty Concert

October 12th at 2:00 pm

Spring Faculty Concert

March 15th at 2:00 pm

Prep Program Fall Concert

November 17th at 6:00 pm

23-24 Young Composers Competition Concert

March 29th at 4:00 pm

High School Jazz Ensemble Concert

December 6th at 8:00 pm

Prep Program Spring Concert

April 23rd at 6:00 pm

String Ensemble/String Orchestra Concert

January 12th at 2:00 pm

High School Jazz Ensemble Concert

April 25th at 8:00 pm

YPSO Fall Concert

*DATE & TIME CHANGE* January 13th at 7:00 pm

String Ensemble/String Orchestra Concert

April 27th at 2:00 pm

YPCO Fall Concert

January 19th at 6:00 pm

YPCO Spring Concert

April 27th at 6:00 pm

Prep Program Winter Concert

February 19th at 6:00 pm

YPSO Spring Concert

May 4th at 6:00 pm

2024-2025 Concert Calendar

Masterclasses and Coachings

Through Webster University, the St. Louis Symphony, the St. Louis Classical Guitar Society, Chamber Project Saint Louis and other local partners, CMS students periodically have the opportunity to participate in or observe masterclasses or coaching sessions with nationally and internationally renowned artists, such as Pinchas Zuckerman, violin; Ron Leonard, cello; Gabrielle Cassone, trumpet; Keith Aleo, percussion; Emanuel Ax, piano; and many more.

Affiliations

CMS students benefit through our partnerships with the Webster University Department of Music, the St. Louis Symphony, The Sheldon Concert Hall, St. Louis Public School District, and other arts and community organizations. The CMS is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and benefits from membership in the National Guild for Community Arts Education. About CMS

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Launch Community Music Center

CMS Blog

Discover the Community Music School

Find out more about programs, students, faculty and events in the Community Music School. Our blog shares tips, information and insights about classes, scholarships, student events - and so much more!

Community Music School Blog

News and Events