Supporting Community Music School Through the

EITC Program

providing access to excellence through music education

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC) allows businesses to support innovative educational opportunities for students and earn tax credits by donating to an approved Educational Improvement Organization (EIO), such as Community Music School.

EITC-eligible programs include private music lessons, group classes, and access to the state-of-the art recording studio.  Each week, CMS welcomes over 325 students for in person and online music lessons.  Students from over 20 school districts directly benefit from these EITC-eligible innovative educational programs at CMS.

Thanks to our generous donors, in 2024-2025 CMS plans to fund over $105,000 in financial aid for 55% of our students under age 18 from low-income families.

EITC-eligible innovative educational programs at CMS

private lessons

Our private music lessons have been the cornerstone of CMS’s commitment to musical excellence. These one-on-one sessions provide individualized instruction to students of all ages and backgrounds, allowing them to progress at their own pace, achieve their musical ambitions, and prepare them for auditions, recitals, and other creative opportunities. Students can choose from twenty-three different instruments and twenty-five experienced instructors; our most popular instruments include piano, violin, guitar, and voice, but students can also choose bass clarinet, bass guitar, cello, clarinet, composition, double bass, drums, euphonium, flute, Latin percussion, recording, oboe, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, ukulele, and viola.

Group classes

 CMS provides a diverse array of high-caliber group classes designed to complement the educational journey of students attending public or private schools. These after-school and summer camp programs are meticulously crafted to offer a comprehensive educational experience in piano, violin, voice, and ensemble performance. Through these classes, students discover a sense of belonging within a community, cultivate collaborative skills, and embark on the journey of mastering a musical instrument.

Recording Studio

The CMS recording studio opened in late 2021 and features three unique recording spaces and a nine-iMac education lab, equipped with the latest technology, industry-standard equipment, and professional recording and composition software. This studio offers students, ages 12 and above, hands-on experience with industry-standard recording technology, including software like Apple Logic Pro, Final Cut, Sibelius, Waves, and hardware such as Allen and Heath, Neve, and Neumann through individualized lessons and after-school group classes.

Our mission

Community Music School Lehigh Valley & Berks is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable education organization. Our mission is to successfully provide the inspiration and opportunity for anyone in our diverse community to achieve excellence in music education and appreciate the transformative power of music.

How your business can Support Community Music School

For more information about supporting EITC Programs at Community Music School, contact: Jeff Reed, Executive Director

Learn more about our Recital Sponsorship Program.

To apply to participate in the EITC Program, visit the PA DCED website.