– DONATE –
Area of
Greatest Need
– DONATE –
Financial Aid
& Scholarships
Endowment
Fund
Dear Friend,
I thank you for supporting the mission of Community Music School. CMS is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charitable education organization. Supporters like you help CMS provide access to the life-long benefits of quality music education to all students, regardless of their background, age, ability, or family need. Please make a generous gift today.
Each week, CMS welcomes over 350 students for private lessons, group classes, and ensembles in Allentown, Reading, and online. Our 25 talented music teachers tailor their lessons to engage and effectively educate each student. This year, CMS is committing over $105,000 in financial aid to help 55% of our students under age 18 afford lessons. These children from low-income families cannot afford to pay full tuition and are able to enroll for lessons at CMS only through our need-based financial aid program. CMS enrollment grew 23% last year, and we expect similar growth this year. In short, the need for aid is great and growing, and our students are counting on your generous support.
Learning to play a musical instrument offers a wealth of cognitive, social, and psychological benefits, including improving memory, concentration, coordination, and confidence, promoting relaxation, and reducing anxiety. Development of these skills leads to enhanced academic performance, particularly in mathematics and language. Your gift will help CMS make it possible for our engaged students to access these life-changing benefits.
To see the impact of your support, I invite you to browse the “news” page on our website and our numerous student performances that are highlighted on our YouTube Channel. If you would like to discuss including CMS in your estate plan or creating a named scholarship fund, please contact me directly, at jeff@cmslv.org or 610-435-7725 x403.
On behalf of our students, teachers, staff, and Board of Directors, I thank you for making a generous gift to Community Music School today and for supporting quality music education for every student!
Sincerely,
Jeff Reed
Executive Director
Community Music School
1544 Hamilton Street | Allentown, PA 18102
610-435-7725 x403 | jeff@cmslv.org
,,🎶 Give online with a one-time or monthly gift
🎶 Give through your IRA with a Qualified Charitable Distribution
🎶 Give with a matching gift through your employer
NEW! CMS is now an approved Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) in Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.
🎶 Include CMS in your Estate Planning
🎶 Create a Named Scholarship Fund
🎶 Volunteer on the Board of Directors or with a Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo” in the community
🎶 Attend a Student Recital or Event
🎶 Like & Share CMS on Social Media
🎶 Leave us a review on Google
🎶 Purchase a CMS Car Magnet to show your CMS spirit
- 658 student enrollments in private lessons, group classes, ensembles, & summer camps
- In person at Allentown and Berks + online
- Ages 0-78+, with 83% of students under age 18
- 63% students of color; 30%+ identify as Hispanic/Latinx
- Over $90,000 in financial aid awarded annually to 55% of students under age 18
- 25 professional teaching musicians with a Bachelor’s degree in their chosen specialty
- 50% of teachers also hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree
- 37 dedicated Board Members & volunteers
- 10 musical instrument “petting zoos” at community events
- 9 partner-funded outreach collaborations
Performing in front of a live audience is an important part of each CMS student’s growth and development. Thanks to YOU and our other generous donors, all CMS recitals are free and open to the public; there is also no fee for students who perform.
- 400+ individual student performances, ages 5 to 60+
- 9 in-house student recitals and community performances
- 1,000+ in-house recital attendance for the season
- 50% of K-12 students perform in at least one recital during the school year
See your Gift in Action
2024-2025 CMS Student Recitals
Statistics for last completed fiscal year (July 2023 – June 2024)
“CMS is amazing, from the building, to the staff. Everyone I’ve come across, even the students who attend the school, has been attentive, kind, and courteous. It is an amazing learning environment for anyone, from children to adults, with teachers who are knowledgeable and have the patience to teach to your preference and music level. The front office and the teaching staff are all attentive and serving, it is a blessing just to be in the building and to be taught here.
Anthony E., adult student
– DONATE –
Area of
Greatest Need
– DONATE –
Financial Aid
& Scholarships
Endowment
Fund
CMS thanks all the foundations, corporations, and individuals who support CMS and allow us to support so many deserving students. Visit Our Supporters page to view the complete list.
Learn more about sponsorship opportunities for your business.
Thank you for your support!
Tax ID #23-2201343 – Community Music School (CMS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is registered as a Charitable Organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The official registration and financial information of Community Music School may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
CMS does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, age, creed, color, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, gender identity, disability, or level of family income in its education programs and admission, employment, and financial aid policies.