Event Rentals

CMS functions as a music school Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. Therefore, event rentals must take place on a Saturday or Sunday on dates when there are no planned CMS functions, unless we can make special arrangements. Tours, calls, or appointments during your event planning process must take place during business hours of Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Yes. Please contact CMS Event Rentals for further information.

No. The only requirement we have is that all rentals are for a minimum of 2 hours.

Yes. We offer a discount if you rent both the Dorothy H. Baker Hall and the Hess Lounge for your event. The Hess Lounge would be a great place to have a cocktail hour before a reception in the Dorothy H. Baker Hall. Use of the kitchen and the Judith Ruhe Diehl Entry Hall are included with each package. Other spaces that may be useful for your event, such as the studios and our kids room/coat room, are available for additional fees.

CMS does not provide any in-house catering or alcohol services. Guests can arrange for catering, or bring their own food and alcohol. Please inquire about our recommended caterers. Any alcohol must be served by a licensed bartender who follows the guidelines set in CMS event rental policies. CMS is a smoke-free facility and campus.

Yes, we have a small kitchen that can be used for simple prep (includes counter space, refrigerator/freezer, microwave, and sink). We do not provide coffee makers or any other appliances.

There is a free parking lot in the rear of the CMS building (enter/ext from 16th Street).  There are 48 spaces available in the parking lot and free overflow parking is available on the neighboring streets.  Three spaces in the gravel area at the front of the building are available for handicapped parking or drop off/pick up.  Check here for Parking Updates or view our neighborhood on Google Maps.

We are not wedding or event planners; we simply help to coordinate the details of your event as it relates to the CMS facility.  Please feel free to set up a call or appointment during business hours to discuss any needs during your event planning process. We do not manage logistics with outside vendors unless they call or set up an appointment to tour the building to discuss event needs.

We also do not provide a day-of-event coordinator. However, there will be a staff member on site for the entirety of your event (including set up and clean up). This staff member is responsible for ensuring that you and all guests comply with CMS event rental policies and that the building remains secure (CMS does not issue building keys or access codes to you).

We do not provide tablecloths and napkins, flatware, glasses, dishes, serving utensils, or paper products for food service. Most caterers will provide these items for your event upon request.

Faculty members are available upon request. Examples of performers/groups that can be arranged are solo artists, background performers, string quartets, and our jazz band. Please inquire for recommendations and availability. We can also provide a musical petting zoo for children’s birthday parties or events. Additional fees for piano usage and musicians apply.

If you are planning to hire your own musicians or DJ, please inquire about equipment and set up needs.

CMS will hold a requested date for a total of five business days. A 50% deposit and a signed and returned Rental Agreement are required to secure the event date.

Vendors and renters have two free hours prior to the event for set up, and up to two free hours following the event for clean up, as long as these hours are between 8 AM and 11 PM.  Additional time that exceeds a total of two hours for set up and two hours for clean up will be subject to the hourly fees for the selected package. CMS will be happy to arrange for set up of tables and chairs, with adequate advance notice. The facility must be left in the same condition as it was found. Set up and additional clean up by CMS maintenance personnel is included in the rental fee. After the event, renters must bag and remove all trash and place it in the large dumpster in our parking lot.

The renter is responsible for any damages caused by the renter, renter’s guests, or service providers to the building, any damage to appliances, furniture, instruments, and equipment, as well as theft or injury that occurs during the contracted time. CMS requires the renter to obtain general liability insurance coverage up to $1,000,000.

If alcohol is served, liquor liability insurance is required as well. Further information can be found in the CMS event rental policies.

We have different pricing tiers for our packages depending on the type of renter. The different tiers include 1) CMS family, employee, or board member, 2) private renter, 3) nonprofit organization, and 4) business. We also offer a discount if you combine the Dorothy H. Baker Hall and the Hess Lounge in your package.

• Required:
  • Cleaning and Set Up: $180 (additional cleaning fees may apply)
• Optional (based on availability):
  • Use of piano (concert grand or grand)… $50-$200
  • Musical Petting Zoo, great for children’s birthday parties… $150
  • Background piano music (professional pianist/faculty)… please inquire; cost varies
  • Music provided by CMS (string quartet, jazz band, etc)…  please inquire; cost varies
  • Renting additional spaces within the building… cost varies
  • Piano tuning and/or repairs… $150
  • Event overtime… hourly rate based on selected package
  • Additional cleaning/repairs as needed… $180/hour

If the event is cancelled up to two weeks (10 business days) prior to the event, CMS will issue a 100% refund. Any cancellation after the allowable time will result in a 50% refund.