Music Lesson Tuition
What do You Value in Lessons?
Music creates connections. By learning an instrument, you open the door to meeting new people and making music together. It can also mean that you have a deeper appreciation and joy for performers and support the arts by being a dedicated audience member and advocate.
Taking music lessons can not only make you a better musician, but also support cognitive development (memory, concentration, math and language skills), emotional and physical health (stress relief, confidence, express emotions), social benefits (teamwork, community engagement), physical benefits (fine motor skills, breath work), and lifelong skills, such as discipline, patience, and creativity.
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. Tuition is based on each teacher’s experience and are designated by categories (*Panther White, #Panther Purple, and @Panther Gold).
Lesson payments are based on 30-weeks of instruction during the academic year, while summer payments are based on the amount of lessons selected. Students may start any time and tuition will be pro-rated as needed.
During each enrollment period, students have the option of electing to make a one-time or monthly tuition payment.
When selecting the monthly payment option, the total cost of lessons is divided equally by the number of payments, keeping each payment the same amount.
Music lessons are an investment in confidence, creativity, and lifelong skills.
What are you paying for and is it worth it?
Let's review some things you may want to consider when looking at the cost of lessons.
Let’s start with the obvious - cost.
- Are there payment options?
- Are scholarships available?
- How is pricing structured?
- Are there discounts available if you participate in other programs at the school?
- In addition to tuition, do you have to pay other fees, like registration or recital fees?
Look at the school as a whole.
- Does the school have a mission statement that you believe in?
- Can you tell if the school values its community?
- Are there opportunities outside of lessons (performances, collaboration, etc.)?
Who are the teachers and staff?
- What does the school look for in its teachers?
- What kind of qualifications do their teachers present?
- Are their teachers performing in the community?
- How does the school hire teachers (background checks, oversight, interviews, etc.)?
- How long have their teachers been there?
Location. Location. Location…
- Where are the lessons located? Do you feel safe going there?
- What kind of instruments and equipment are available for students?
- Is there convenient parking available?
- Is there a place to wait for a student during lessons?
- What do the performance spaces look like?
Sometimes cost of investing in lessons is not an issue.
What parents and students really want to know - Will lessons be fun?
Of course, lessons can be fun! Before starting lessons, consider why you or your child wants to take lessons. What are you hoping to get out of lessons? Then take some time to learn about potential teachers. Is this someone who understands your goals and you can see yourself or your child getting along with?
But keep in mind that even with the perfect teacher, sometimes learning can be tough, and maybe not the most fun (can we say learning scales??), but when students keep working and have faith, things get easier. Promise.
CMS accepts new students throughout the year.
- If registering after the year/summer has started, students will receive a pro-rated tuition amount.
- 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, CommUNI·Horn, and New Horizons Band members. Please contact unicommunitymusic@uni.edu for pricing.
When selecting the one-time payment option, students will be asked to submit payment before their first lesson.
Recurring payments will be automatically charged to a debit or credit card. Recurring payments are managed by the UNI Office of Business Operations (OBO).
- Summer: 3 monthly payments withdrawn automatically on the first of the month (June - August)
- Academic Year: 9 monthly payments withdrawn automatically on the first of the month (September - May)
Financial Need Based Awards
Financial Aid Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Awards are made based on the following considerations:
- Information submitted on the scholarship application form.
- Current account standing with CMS.
- Availability of scholarship funds.
- Student commitment, attendance and progress in lessons (For returning students)
Continuation of the award through the academic year is contingent upon:
- Regular attendance at lessons. More than two absences may result in the termination of assistance.
- Reasonable progress in lessons that reflects regular practice at home.
- Current CMS account standing and history of timely payments.
- Input from teacher evaluation at the end of first semester, assessing student commitment, attendance and progress in lessons.
Current awards are not automatically renewed each year. A new application must be submitted annually, with the completed registration form.
Financial aid is not currently available for summer lessons.
Contact Heather Hamilton for information at heather.hamilton@uni.edu or 319-273-2142 with any questions.