Welcome
Welcome to the Community Music School (CMS) at The Ohio State University. Our mission is to provide high-quality music education to individuals of all ages and abilities, diverse backgrounds, skill levels, and differing educational goals, and to serve our neighbors in Central Ohio. Come learn in a friendly, supportive environment that encourages a lifelong enjoyment of music.
Angela Heck Mueller, manager
Community Music School
Michael Ibrahim, director
The Ohio State University School of Music
Below, find information about various aspects of the CMS. If you do not find what you need, email the Community Music School.
Summer 2026 Session Calendar
May 11–August 16
Registration for summer session opens in April.
Registration Deadline: May 10, 2026
Summer Recital
Sunday, August 16, 2026 in the Timashev Recital Hall. Times will vary by instrument.
Summer Session closings — No lessons.
- May 25 — Memorial Day. Make-ups available.
- July 4 — Independence Day. Make-ups available.
Autumn 2026 Session Calendar
August 25–December 20
Registration for autumn session opens in July.
Registration Deadline: August 16, 2026
Autumn Recital
December 20, 2026 in the Timashev Recital Hall. Times will vary by instrument.
Autumn Session closings — No lessons
- September 7 — Labor Day. Make-ups available.
- October 15-16 — Autumn Break. Make-ups available.
- November 11 — Veterans Day. Make-ups available.
Instruments and Materials
Instruments may be purchased or rented from local instrument and music stores.
Participants are responsible for purchasing their own materials, i.e. instrument, music, metronome, notebook, as recommended by their instructor.
Student Expectations • Progress • Parent's Role
PARENTS. Parent attendance in private lessons is welcomed and encouraged, but not required. Written progress will be shared with participants enrolled in lessons and communicated verbally to participants and parents at the end of each lesson.
PROGRESS. Musical outcomes are dependent upon consistent daily practice in an appropriate environment. The following is expected from all participants enrolled in lessons, classes and ensembles: an instrument in good repair; a practice setting free from distractions; an established practice routine of a length suitable for the participant's age/level (30-45 minutes per day for elementary participants; 45–90 minutes per day for intermediate participants and above); parental involvement in practice sessions, when applicable; and consistent attendance.
EXPECTATIONS.
- Attend all lessons, classes and ensembles on time.
- Behave respectfully towards staff, instructors, participants, facilities, classroom materials, instruments and equipment.
- Bring all music and required materials to each lesson, class and ensemble rehearsal.
- Meet daily practice goals.
- Have fun!
Emergency Information
If a life-threatening emergency occurs, staff/instructors will care for the participant, call 911 immediately, call the parent/guardian (if applicable) or emergency contact, and alert the CMS Manager. If a non-life-threatening emergency occurs, staff/instructors will immediately contact parents (if applicable) or an emergency contact, and alert the CMS Manager. First Aid kits are available on site when needed.
If faced with a potentially dangerous situation or potential criminal activity, staff/instructors will remove participants and immediately call law enforcement (911 or The Ohio State University Police Department: 614-292-2121), call the parent/guardian (if applicable) or emergency contact, and alert the CMS Manager.
General Questions and Problem Solving
Questions regarding instruction should first be addressed to the instructor.
For school business, to request a specific offering, or if issues are not satisfactorily resolved, please contact Angela Heck Mueller at CommunityMusicSchool@osu.edu
School of Music Statement of Diversity
The Ohio State University School of Music recognizes that excellence is inseparable from Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access and Belonging. We seek to enrich the educational experience of the students we serve and the community at large by acknowledging, respecting and engaging with the ideas, perspectives and music from diverse populations.
We strive to be a place of mutual trust, inclusive excellence, safe dialogue and understanding. We acknowledge the inequities that have permeated our performance spaces and the academy at large. We understand that we have a responsibility to develop opportunities for students and community members to engage in music making in a contemporary context. We aspire to be a pioneer in this work; a place where all voices are valued and heard. These efforts are ongoing and part of our mission to create a more equitable and diverse School of Music.
The School of Music at The Ohio State University supports freedom of artistic expression.
Our compositions, performances and activities have the power to inspire and challenge, to protest and provoke, and to foster healing, understanding and growth. We defend the freedom to create such radical expression, and we acknowledge the responsibility to respect diversity and challenge injustices. We embrace compositions that explore and engage critically with the world’s spiritual, religious and cultural traditions, both through and beyond the individual experience. Such compositions may feature difficult subject matter, employ explicit language, and explore challenging themes. The School of Music wholeheartedly supports the rights of individuals to develop and share their visions within the broad bounds of artistic expression.