Lesson Registration - Academic Year
Welcome to Lessons!
The UNI Community Music School accepts new students throughout the year. We're happy you're here!
Our teachers are passionate about teaching and music! We believe that music should be accessible to everyone and work their best to meet each student where they are on their musical journey.
- CMS teachers enjoy working with each of their students, regardless of what musical path a student is pursuing.
- CMS employs a combination of teachers who are professional performers and educators, as well as student teachers who are currently pursuing a degree in music at the University of Northern Iowa School of Music.
- All CMS teachers, directors, and staff that work students and participants under the age of 18 are required to successfully pass a criminal background check annually.
- Payment for Community Outreach Programs should be registered and paid for through their respective program. This is the only way to ensure that you are taking lessons with a qualified instructor who has been approved by the University of Northern Iowa School of Music. Please note that teaching privately within UNI School of Music facilities, outside a UNI Community Outreach Program violates university policy.
- Register any time! Students will receive a pro-rated tuition amount if lessons start after the beginning of fall lessons.
- Those making monthly payments will pay the pro-rated cost for the first month, followed by monthly payments that match the payment options listed on the pricing sheet.
- A 20% discount on individual lessons is available to current Children's Choir, Community Horn Choir, and New Horizons Band members. Please contact unicommunitymusic@uni.edu for pricing.
Fall
August 31 - December 20, 2025
- week of August 31: Individual and Group Lessons begin as scheduled
- November 23-29: Fall Break - No lessons
- December 13-14: CMS Fall Recital Weekend
Spring
January 25 - May 16, 2026
- week of January 25: Individual and Group Lessons begin as scheduled
- Group piano lessons begin as scheduled
- March 15-21: Spring Break - No Lessons
- May 9-10: CMS Spring Recital Weekend
Summer
June 1 - August 23, 2026
- week of June 1: Summer Lessons start
- TBD: CMS Summer Recital Day
Let's Get Registered for Lessons!
Lesson Registration Information
- Registering for lessons does not commit you to start lessons, but will put you in touch with a teacher to learn more about lessons.
- If you are a NEW student to the Community Music School, you will be contacted within 5 business days after submitting the lesson registration, by email, to discuss lesson scheduling and teachers.
- Students are placed with an instructor based on the order of enrollment and availability of the instructor.
- If you are a RETURNING student from the summer or last academic year, your previous teacher will contact you for scheduling.
Payment Information
- Academic year lessons are 30 weeks.
- Students can register at any time throughout the year.
- The Community Music School is made up of teachers that have a wide range of experiences and education. Visit our Teacher Information Sheet to learn more about each Community Music School teacher.
- Tuition is based on each teacher’s experience and are designated by categories(*Panther White, #Panther Purple, and @Panther Gold).
Payment Information
- The first payment will be pro-rated based on the date of the first lesson, if starting after the first week of scheduled Academic year lessons.
- A 20% discount on individual lessons is available to current Children's Choir, Community Horn Choir, and New Horizons Band members. Please contact unicommunitymusic@uni.edu for pricing.
- After confirming a teacher and lesson day and time, you will receive an invoice via email. At that time, you can submit a payment for the year, or set-up recurring payments.
- Payments will be auto-withdrawn on the first of every month while enrolled in lessons.
- If you wish to apply for a financial aid, please complete the Financial Aid Application (< click on the link and your browser will open an additional window) AND lesson registration.
If you are interested in helping to financially support a student's lessons with CMS, you can make a donation at the UNI Foundation and select account 212456 or 222126. Your donation is greatly appreciated and needed as we work to make music lessons accessible for all members of our community. Any amount is welcomed!
Lesson Registration Information
- Registering for lessons does not commit you to start lessons, but will put you in touch with a teacher to learn more about lessons.
- If you are a NEW student to the Community Music School, you will be contacted within 5 business days after submitting the lesson registration, by email, to discuss lesson scheduling and teachers.
- Students are placed with an instructor based on the order of enrollment and availability of the instructor.
- If you are a RETURNING student from the summer or last academic year, your previous teacher will contact you for scheduling.
Payment Information
- Academic year lessons are 30 weeks.
- Students can register at any time throughout the year.
- The Community Music School is made up of teachers that have a wide range of experiences and education. Visit our Teacher Information Sheet to learn more about each Community Music School teacher.
- Tuition is based on each teacher’s experience and are designated by categories(*Panther White, #Panther Purple, and @Panther Gold).
Payment Information
- The first payment will be pro-rated based on the date of the first lesson, if starting after the first week of scheduled Academic year lessons.
- A 20% discount on individual lessons is available to current Children's Choir, Community Horn Choir, and New Horizons Band members. Please contact unicommunitymusic@uni.edu for pricing.
- After confirming a teacher and lesson day and time, you will receive an invoice via email. At that time, you can submit a payment for the year, or set-up recurring payments.
- Payments will be auto-withdrawn on the first of every month while enrolled in lessons.
- If you wish to apply for a financial aid, please complete the Financial Aid Application (< click on the link and your browser will open an additional window) AND lesson registration.
If you are interested in helping to financially support a student's lessons with CMS, you can make a donation at the UNI Foundation and select account 212456 or 222126. Your donation is greatly appreciated and needed as we work to make music lessons accessible for all members of our community. Any amount is welcomed!