Applied Lessons - Community Music School

Parents can register their children for lessons using this online form.

Each semester that the student participates in the program a $25 registration fee is required. This helps cover the cost of  resources offered through the Community Music School such as discounted supplies and the Community Music School library.

The cost of all lessons are to be paid directly to the instructor. Rates are as follows:

The student will receive approximately 10 lessons per semester with an individual instructor. DePauw music students and faculty serve as instructors for the program. All lesson days and times will be arranged privately between the instructor and students/parents.

If you need to cancel a lesson, notify the instructor at least 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged for the scheduled lesson. In the case of illness or emergency, please let the instructor know as soon as possible that you cannot attend the lesson and arrangements can be made to reschedule or cancel without penalty. If a lesson is cancelled later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled lesson for a reason other than illness or emergency, the instructor reserves the right to charge for the lesson. 

If you need to reschedule a lesson, notify the instructor at least 48 hours in advance. There is no guarantee that the instructor will be able to reschedule the lesson. If the instructor is unable to reschedule, it will be treated as a cancellation and you will not be charged for the lesson.

Each student is enrolled in the Community Music School for the entire semester. Please inform the instructor as soon as possible if you must end lessons. Again, registration fees are non-refundable.

Should lesson payments not be received in a timely manner, the instructor reserves the right to stop lessons at any time during the semester. All outstanding balances must be paid before a new semester of lessons may begin.

If the instructor does not show up or repeatedly cancels scheduled lessons, the student can terminate lessons for the semester and apply the registration fee to a future semester. The student also has the option to be matched with a new instructor mid-semester if there is an open space. In this case, the registration fee will not be applied to a future semester.

In order to become a Community Music School Instructor, a DePauw student must submit an instructor agreement form and the Community Music School must have received a recommendation form from the DePauw student’s applied professor. 

The instructor is responsible for creating a positive atmosphere for learning and making music, for setting clear studio policies and expectations for both the student and the legal guardian, and for showing up on time prepared to teach each lesson. Instructors are required to get a background check before they become a Community Music School Instructor.

This background check will remain valid during their entire time as a Community Music School Instructor at DePauw. Once the background check is completed, the instructor is required to attend one Community Music School workshop. Instructors are also required to submit a sample of their teaching to the Community Music School faculty for review until passing Pedagogy on their primary instrument or their first semester of Music Ed lab. The purpose of this is to provide educational feedback to the instructors and 

The student must prepare for lessons by practicing consistently, by listening to and cooperating with the instructor, and by bringing all necessary music and materials to the lesson.

The legal guardian will supply financial and emotional support for the lessons. This involves promptly paying lesson fees, in addition to offering encouragement for the student’s musical studies and maintaining a practice schedule for the student. Appropriate practice routines will be suggested by the individual instructor and discussed with the legal guardian.

As a part of the Community Music School, DePauw offers a library of books and various supplies at discounted prices. For more information please contact your instructor or email communitymusic@depauw.edu.

The applied professors of student instructors are expected to provide feedback on the instructor's teaching as well as any additional support they might need. Applied faculty must also submit this recommendation form for a student wishing to become a Community Music School instructor.

Community Music Program reserves the right to take photographs and video of faculty, staff, and students engaged in teaching, rehearsals, performances, and other activities. These photographs and video are intended for use in University publications such as catalogs, concert calendars, posters, fliers, media advertising, admissions recruitment, and development brochures, as well as the on the website.

The instructor will grant permission for photographers to record classes and individual instruction. Performances and rehearsals will only be photographed with the permission of the conductor or director in charge of the event.

DePauw students should register to take lessons as a class at the University. In rare circumstances, a College of Liberal Arts student may take lessons in the Community Music School after receiving the approval of the Director of the Institute of Music.

Music majors are not permitted to take lessons in the Community Music School. Music majors must register to take lessons as a class at the University.

Organized by the Community Music School instructors, recitals and dance performances take place at the conclusion of each semester, as appropriate, as an opportunity for community students to display their new skills and to share their artistic voice.

As a Community Music School student, I promise to:

• Attend all lessons and classes regularly.

• Behave respectfully towards teachers, studio equipment, and instruments.

• Arrive on time for lessons and classes.

• Have my own practice instrument and practice location off campus.

• Bring all the music and materials needed for the lesson.

• Practice on a regular basis.

• Refrain from bringing food, drink, or gum into the studio.

• Request permission from faculty and accompanists before using audio/visual equipment and instruments in the studios.

• Speak quietly while at Music on the Square and to be respectful of people in other classes and lessons.

• Have fun!