OUr Vision
We envision a community of compassionate, courageous people creatively building a more harmonious world together.
Our Mission
To cultivate creativity, self-expression, and the joy of music
for people of all ages and backgrounds
through collaborative musical adventures.
for people of all ages and backgrounds
through collaborative musical adventures.
Our Guiding Principles
- We believe equal access to music education is vital to the community.
- We joyously accept and encourage all seekers of learning and nurture the process that allows each student to reach their fullest potential and claim their inner artist.
- We are committed to offering programs that are innovative, life-changing and of the highest quality and exposing our students, and the community, to the finest level of artistry.
- We recognize creativity and inspiration over perfection and promote music as an integral part of life.
- We are committed to maintaining an inspired and inspiring faculty, a consistent and effective administration, and a tenacious and committed board.
Our History
Five determined musicians founded the Community Music School of Ann Arbor (previously known as Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts) in 1991. They saw a need for a community music school that provided a comprehensive learning experience for toddlers to seniors. What they created was an opportunity for all community members to develop a lifelong love of music and tap into the rich cultural fabric that exists in Southeast Michigan.
The first classes were held in First Unitarian Universalist Church and ranged from pre-school Kindermusik to Adult Musicianship. A Music Discovery Concert series at Kerrytown Concert House and an Adult Chamber Music Network were also off and running. By the third year, offerings expanded to include private instruction for instruments and voice, as well as their Youth String Orchestra Program, with Dan Long as the director.
The School expanded to the point that in the fall of 1995, it moved to Concordia College. In the thirteen years the school resided at Concordia, the School saw the addition of its Jazz Studies Program, the Sterling Strings Orchestra, a Chamber Music Program and a pre-college track for motivated and talented music students. Also, the Youth Symphony Orchestra toured to Australia, recorded a CD and was invited to perform at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in 1999, an International Band and Orchestra festival.
In 2008, the School moved to South Main Street, continuing its core programs in Early Childhood Music, Youth Orchestra, Chamber Music, Jazz Studies and Private Instruction and well as adding the New Horizons Senior String Orchestra. It continued also to award thousands of dollars in need-based financial assistance and started a very important partnership with the Ann Arbor Public Schools to provide music instruction to the under-served in the community. Since 2017, the school moved away from a "bricks and mortar" model to one that has its programs taking place in every corner of our community. This move has increased accessibility, forged new partnerships and allowed the school to respond to the needs of this community.
To this day, the School has stayed true to its mission created by its founders over 20 years ago. This rich community resource has clearly struck a chord in the Ann Arbor community, serving students from age 14 months to 72 years, and continues to strive to nurture the musician in all of us.
The first classes were held in First Unitarian Universalist Church and ranged from pre-school Kindermusik to Adult Musicianship. A Music Discovery Concert series at Kerrytown Concert House and an Adult Chamber Music Network were also off and running. By the third year, offerings expanded to include private instruction for instruments and voice, as well as their Youth String Orchestra Program, with Dan Long as the director.
The School expanded to the point that in the fall of 1995, it moved to Concordia College. In the thirteen years the school resided at Concordia, the School saw the addition of its Jazz Studies Program, the Sterling Strings Orchestra, a Chamber Music Program and a pre-college track for motivated and talented music students. Also, the Youth Symphony Orchestra toured to Australia, recorded a CD and was invited to perform at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in 1999, an International Band and Orchestra festival.
In 2008, the School moved to South Main Street, continuing its core programs in Early Childhood Music, Youth Orchestra, Chamber Music, Jazz Studies and Private Instruction and well as adding the New Horizons Senior String Orchestra. It continued also to award thousands of dollars in need-based financial assistance and started a very important partnership with the Ann Arbor Public Schools to provide music instruction to the under-served in the community. Since 2017, the school moved away from a "bricks and mortar" model to one that has its programs taking place in every corner of our community. This move has increased accessibility, forged new partnerships and allowed the school to respond to the needs of this community.
To this day, the School has stayed true to its mission created by its founders over 20 years ago. This rich community resource has clearly struck a chord in the Ann Arbor community, serving students from age 14 months to 72 years, and continues to strive to nurture the musician in all of us.
Cultural Data Project Reports
| 2017 CDP Report.pdf |
| 2015 CDP Report |
| 2014 CDP Report |
| 2013 CDP Report |
| 2012 CDP Report |
990
| cmsa2_990_2016.pdf |
| cmsa2_990_2014.pdf |
| cmsa2_990_2013.pdf |
| cmsa2_990_2012.pdf |
