CMS News

Laura Baxter, Emmaus HS; flute student of Elaine Martin. Laura also studies piano, plays in the EHS Marching Band and Flute Ensemble. She loves being able to express herself through music and plans to study music education at Penn State University....

We are deeply saddened to share that Mrs. Dorothy Hess Baker of The Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation passed to her eternal life on June 14, 2020 in Bonita Springs, Florida, at the age of 92. Dorothy was an active volunteer, singer, community...

While the CMS building is closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our students have continued lessons online with our talented faculty and presented two virtual recitals "live" on the CMS YouTube Channel. If you missed either recital, you can watch them anytime at...

CMS Continues to Offer Online-Only Lessons During COVID-19 CMS students kicked off summer lessons online on Tuesday, June 9. While we all look forward to returning to the CMS building for in-person lessons as soon as possible, the safety of our students and staff is...

In accordance with the state mandate that all K-12 schools close through at least April 6, the CMS building will be closed from Monday, 3/16/20 through Monday, 4/6/20, but please check back for updates. During this time we will be operating remotely and...

featured in The Morning Call 3/26/20 “Freelance Classical Musicians are Performing Without a Net during Coronavirus Crisis” in The Morning Call featuring CMS teacher, Linda Kistler. "Concert cancellations related to the COVID-19 coronavirus are leaving scores of...

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In accordance with the state mandate that all K-12 schools close through the end of the school year due to COVID-19, the CMS building will remain closed until the mandates are lifted. During this time, we will continue operating remotely, offering online...

Congratulations to our outstanding high school students who qualified for PMEA Region V Band, Orchestra, and Chorus! Meg Takahashi, Parkland HS (Senior), Band, Flute (CMS student of Elaine Martin) Nicholas Brogle, Saucon Valley HS, Band & Orchestra, Clarinet (CMS...

Middle School students from the Allentown School District painted the large, colorful canvases here at CMS, and we are proud to exhibit them in our studio hallways. These students learned about music, art, theater, and dance at City Arts Camp in summer 2019. The four,...

Sunny Murthy violin Ms. Murthy holds a B.A. in Music Education from Indiana University and a M.B.A. from Lehigh University. She is certified by the Suzuki Association of the Americas and has extensive experience teaching and performing classical music. She is a member...

As a non-profit charity, CMS relies on the support of our donors and volunteers to make it possible for us to provide affordable music lessons to everyone in our diverse community. We want to give a shout out to our dedicated volunteers currently helping out on...

Over 30 students and teachers performed 1.5 hours of beautiful music in this special annual recital. Performances included The Big Band, Monday Modern Band, and faculty members Clifford Tracy, Dr. Tzu-Hwa Ho, Dr. David Saturen, Daniel Gonzalez, and Nicholas Conti. We...

In June 2017, Community Music School announced its three-year "Campaign for CMS," with an ambitious $500,000 goal. The Campaign would seek $200,000 for the move to and improvements at our new building at 1544 Hamilton Street, $200,000 for scholarships, and $100,000...

In appreciation of our Campaign for CMS supporters, our 2017-18 Board of Directors, and the 2017-18 Strategic Planning Task Force, headed by Board Member, Mary Hahn, a permanent donor recognition wall will be installed in the Judith Ruhe Diehl Entrance Hall at CMS in...

Congratulations to our outstanding high school students who qualified for Districts! District 10 Band Laura Baxter, Flute, Emmaus High School (CMS student of Elaine Martin) Mitchell Hourt, Trombone, Palmerton Area High School (CMS student of Nicholas Conti) Meg...

Allentown School District's Newcomer Academy students visited CMS today for an exciting day of musical exploration. We definitely have some future drummers! 10/25/19

Congratulations on a great performance by 55 of our talented students and teachers at the Dec 15 Holiday Recital! Performing in front of a live audience is an important part of the Community Music School experience and is key to developing well-rounded musicians. We...

Thank you to all our students, faculty, and staff who made this year’s Monster Concert a great success! Congratulations to our "Frightening Frappuccino Winner": Celina Abboud (piano student of Carole Houghton) with her winning concoction, “Frankenstein Time” Frappe,...

The Dorothy H. Baker Recital Hall was rockin’ in December as over 100 students from ASD’s Newcomer Academy performed their Winter Concert. Newcomer supports students who are new arrivals to Allentown and who have minimal English language skills. CMS...

Daniel Gonzalez drums | Latin percussion

More information Monster Concert Saturday, October 26 from 12:00 - 3:00 pmBarnes & Noble, Promenade Shops Holiday Recital Sunday, December 15 at 2:00 pmDorothy H. Baker Recital Hall at CMS Faculty-Student Recital Sunday, March 1 at 2:00 pmDorothy H. Baker Recital...

Univest supported CMS with a $2,500 donation through their Lehigh Valley IronPigs Double Plays Pay Program. Receiving the check is CMS Director Jeff Reed (center) with FeFe, Phil Jackson (Univest), Mitchell Hourt (CMS student), and Larry Johnson (CMS Board President)....

CMS is pleased to announce that the recital hall located at CMS, 1544 Hamilton Street, Allentown, will be known in perpetuity as the Dorothy H. Baker Recital Hall. The Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation has been a long-time supporter of quality music education...

BB&T, now Truist, supported CMS through the BB&T Lighthouse Project, which provides BB&T associates with an opportunity to make a difference in their communities. With the help of CMS board member Carmen Folsdorf, BB&T purchased and assembled eight...

In the fall of 1981, Martha Maletz, a determined visionary, and four other remarkable women founded CMS. Martha Maletz passed away at the age of 96 in late March 2019. Two months before her death, the current Director, Jeff Reed, was fortunate to be able to give...