Popular Music in America

Wednesdays, May 7 – August 6, 2025 

The Community Music School (CMS) Popular Music in America class is an introduction to the roots and history of popular music in America from the 1830s to the present and will include an examination of such popular styles as Jazz, Swing, Tin Pan Alley, Rock, Country, Latin, Rap, and Hip Hop. Participants will gain an increased awareness of the heritage of popular music, and become aware of its evolutionary momentum to become the dominant world-wide musical styles of the twenty-first century.  

Walker Ballard, instructor 

• Meet the CMS staff

Program Details 

LOCATION — African American and African Studies Community Extension Center (AAAS CEC)

• 905 Mt. Vernon Ave., Columbus, 43203
• Parking is available in the front and back of the building

TIMES — The Popular Music class will meet on Wednesdays from 6–6:50 p.m. on the following dates: 

• May 7, 14, 21, 28
• June 4, 11, 18, 25
• July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• August 6 

Class cancellation policy — In a weather emergency, the class will occur online and will not be made up in-person or refunded. 

ELIGIBILITY — Students in grades 7–12 and adults

MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT — 20

Participants are enrolled in order of date and time their registration is received. Register as soon as possible to reserve your spot. If you have been placed on a waitlist, we ask that you do not show up for the class unless we notify you of an opening. Registration and payment must be completed before a student can attend. In a weather emergency, the class will occur online and will not be made up in-person or refunded.

Minimum enrollment of five (5) participants is required for the class. This class is subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not met. If the class is cancelled due to low enrollment, students will be notified in advance and payment will be refunded. 

Tuition

• Single student per household: $280 ($20/class) + $30 administrative fee per student (not per offering, in the event of participation in more than one).
• Multiple students in the same household: $280 per student ($20/class) + $50 administration fee per family (not per student).
  • Payable only once, regardless of the number of classes taken.

The administrative fee will be a separate product when you pay online with a credit card. Place both your selected product(s) and the administrative fee into your cart to check out. 

What is the administrative fee? 
Administrative fees cover the cost of administration, registration, instructor background checks, recital costs, etc. Charging this fee, including the discounted version for families with multiple students enrolled, allows us to set the per class fee at a competitive market rate. 

Interested in Financial Aid? 

Registration

DEADLINE — Sunday, Apr. 27, 2025

STEP 1 — Complete and submit the online registration form. If you feel you qualify and are interested in applying for Financial Aid, indicate this on your registration form.

CMS Class Registration

STEP 2 — If you indicate interest in Financial Aid on your registration, you will be provided with an application. DO NOT proceed to STEP 3 (tuition payment) until you receive confirmation of aid.

STEP 3 — Submit payment. 

To pay online with a credit card (preferred), use the link provided in your registration confirmation OR use the link below. 

Shortly after submitting payment, you will receive an email confirming the transaction.

Pay with credit card at CMS eStore

NOTE — The payment works best on a computer (PC or Mac). 
MAC USERS — Use Chrome, not Safari. 

To pay by check: 

Make check payable to The Ohio State University. Print “CMS Popular Music” on the memo line. 

Mail to: 
Ohio State Community Music School 
ATTN: Fiscal Officer 
110 Weigel Hall 
1866 College Rd. 
Columbus, OH 43210