Community Music School of Springfield Inc

Founded in 1983, Community Music School of Springfield is a non-profit dedicated to making quality music instruction, participation and exposure accessible and affordable to all people of the Greater Springfield area. CMSS is proud to bring together people of different ages, abilities, cultural backgrounds and economic circumstances to make music in an environment that respects diversity and encourages creativity. CMSS is committed to providing financial aid and scholarships to area children, with a particular focus on Springfield residents.

The school is located in the heart of downtown Springfield, accessible by public transportation, in a historic 1930 building that features green energy for cooling and heating. CMSS’ outstanding faculty of 55 musicians/educators offer instruction in a broad spectrum of instruments and voice, and provide a wide range of musical genres. We continue to expand our reach through collaborations with Springfield Public Schools and local community centers.

CMSS is the home of Prelude Preschool of the Arts, the only full day arts-infused preschool in Western Massachusetts. Our innovative, integrated approach to learning features a warm, creative atmosphere to encourage a young child's imagination, curiosity and intellect.

CMSS serves over 1,300 students weekly, providing over 52,000 lessons/classes to our community last year alone. Through the generosity of our donors, approximately 70% of our students receive some type of financial aid or scholarship to support their music education. However, we still have students on our waiting list. Please contribute to CMSS today to help make music education accessible to more families!

In addition to lessons and classes, CMSS provides concerts for children, youth, and adults that feature a diverse array of talented performers. These concerts take place year-round in our lovely performance space, Robyn Newhouse Hall. CMSS is a magical place, and we welcome you to visit us for a tour, a music lesson, or an upcoming performance.