CMS Private Study

Why Different Levels?

We offer four different tiers of instructors as listed below.  These levels do not indicate the level of the student but only of the experience level of the instructor. We accept students of all ages.

INSTRUCTOR TIERS

TIER 1

Current Bachelor of Music undergraduate students in the University of Delaware School of Music that have been carefully selected for their musicianship and ability to teach. These instructors are gifted and supervised. It can be an inspiring experience for young, beginning musicians to have an enthusiastic, talented instructor who isn’t too much older than they are.

• Please email to see if an instructor is available for your instrument:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ communitymusicschool@udel.edu

TIER 2

Current Master of Music graduate students and Bachelor of Music graduates with at least one year of experience.

• Online and In-person lessons available. See our list of available instructors below for availability.
• Please email to see if an instructor is available for your instrument:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ communitymusicschool@udel.edu

TIER 3

Professional instructors with at least three years of experience and Masters of Music graduates with at least two years of experience. Online lessons available for summer.

• Online and In-person lessons available. See our list of available instructors below for availability.
• Please email to see if an instructor is available for your instrument:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ communitymusicschool@udel.edu

TIER 4

Professional, performing musicians and University of Delaware faculty. Those wishing to study at this level will be asked to audition to ensure proper placement.

• Audition required and subject to availability

​Private instruction is offered on a semester basis. You may begin at any point in the semester and lessons will be prorated. Please note that tuition is usually non refundable for students who register after the first three weeks of the semester.

TIER 1

- current Bachelor of Music undergraduate students

TIER 2

- current Master of Music graduate students

- Bachelor of Music graduates with at least 1 year experience

TIER 3

- professional instructors with at least 3 years experience

- Masters of Music graduates with at least 2 years experience

TIER 4

- artistic instructors

- rates are minimum and vary depending on instructor

- audition required

You must register for each session separately, but it is possible to prorate a session if you want to start after a session has already begun by contacting the CMS office, communitymusicschool@udel.edu​​​.

When private lessons are taught in person, instruction must be done in the Amy du Pont Music Building or the Center of the Arts on the University of Delaware campus.​

After registration is complete, a private study instructor will be assigned for new students. Returning students should note their instructor in the registration process. Prior to the beginning of each session, the private study instructor will contact you directly to establish a mutually convenient day and time for lessons. It is important to include a working email in the registration process to enable easy communication between student and teacher.

Students must provide their own instrument (except for piano) and have access to a practice instrument (including piano).  UDCMS does not rent or sell instruments nor provide space or instruments for practice purposes.  There are several local companies that have instrument purchase and rental programs. ​

Performing in a recital is an exciting way to share one's music with others! Private Study recitals are scheduled at the discretion of the administration and teachers. Private Study students are not required to participate in recitals, although the Suzuki program does include an expectation to perform. 

Recital Policy

Any student who is properly prepared for a recital may apply through his/her teacher for inclusion on a specific recital date. Only the private study or ensemble instructor can approve the student’s readiness for a recital. 

It is CMS policy for all recitalists to stay for the full duration of their recital.

Recital Procedure

Your CMS instructor must be notified of desire to perform and agree that student is adequately prepared. Information must then be submitted via email by the instructor for inclusion in a recital. Recitals are filled on a first-come first-served basis and CMS reserves the right to cancel any recital due to low enrollment, weather, or facility needs.

Student Absence: CMS allocates 1 excused absence per semester, provided the student provides 24 hours’ notice to the teacher, or for unexpected extenuating circumstances such as illness. Teachers will make up one excused lesson per semester at no additional cost to the student.

Any student absence after the 1 excused absence, or if less than 24 hours’ notice is given, is considered unexcused. Teachers do not have to make-up unexcused absences; the student simply misses that lesson and it counts as one of their paid lessons.

Tardiness: Private Study Instructors are not required to wait more than ten minutes for late students. Students who arrive later than ten minutes after the scheduled start of a lesson will be counted as unexcused. If the late student arrives and the teacher is still on site, the teacher may teach for the remaining duration of the scheduled lesson. Teachers are not expected to stay beyond the scheduled end time, nor are they required to make-up the missed time at a later date. Reimbursement will not be provided to the student for the missed time due to tardiness.

Teacher Absence: Any private study lesson missed as a result of a teacher’s absence will be made up, carried over to the following semester, or refunded. In the case of a teacher’s prolonged absence, CMS will strive to provide a substitute teacher. If a substitute is not available, the student may carry any unused lessons over into the next semester, or CMS will issue a refund for the unused lessons.