Community Music School breaks down barriers to music instruction

Community Music School breaks down barriers to music instruction

New Ohio State program provides lessons, classes at affordable cost; financial aid offered

When The Ohio State University's Community Music School (CMS) opened in May of this year, 15 students enrolled in private lessons for piano, voice and percussion. Half a year later, that number has quadrupled, said Angela Heck Mueller, manager of the CMS.

"Not only that, we're offering almost every single instrument and voice type now," she said. "[We're also offering] threeclasses: a preschool music class, a music theory class and a video game music class."

Heck Mueller came to Ohio State last year to oversee the launch of the CMS. She has years of experience with similar programs, dating back as far as working with the Athens Community School while completing her bachelor's degree at Ohio University.

"I was so excited to see that Ohio State was creating this kind of community program," she said. "Our goal is community engagement and reaching our neighbors around the university district."

While Heck Mueller, who plays the flute, enjoys teaching, she has found the manager role to be just as fulfilling.

"To work behind the scenes as a manager, it's such a rewarding impact to have," she said. "It's a different kind of impact, too. When you're one-on-one as an instructor, you see the same student weekly and watch them grow. I'm not in the room teaching students now, but to know that we are reaching so many participants in central Ohio - it's exciting."

Autumn and spring sessions at the CMS last 16 weeks; summer sessions run for 14 weeks. Classes are hosted at the African American and African Studies Community Extension Center on Columbus' Near East Side. In addition to classes and private lessons, the CMS is also home to four ensembles, including a flute ensemble and a community choir.

Lessons cost $25 for 30 minutes and $50 for an hour, plus administrative fees. Classes and ensembles are $20 each. Financial aid is available, Heck Mueller said.

"'Community' means 'all,'" she said. "It means reaching everyone: all ages, all backgrounds, all learning styles. So how do we make music accessible? A big obstacle is financial constraints, especially when you're talking about private instruction."

A number of students received aid this fall, which thrilled Heck Mueller.

"Twenty-seven students were awarded financial aid. Out of those 27, 20 accepted," she said. "That's 20 individuals that are receiving music education that didn't have it before. We're excited that they're able to participate."

Many of the instructors come from Ohio State, Heck Mueller said. Some are recent School of Music graduates. Graduate associates and undergraduates have been hired as well.

"[We're hiring] juniors and seniors who are really excelling in their degree program," she said. "They're looking for teaching experience. [Hiring them] was important to me. I know the value of that experience."

After 16 weeks of hard work, students of all ages perform in recitals. In addition to sharing their craft, Heck Mueller said the students learn a lifelong skill.

"They learn about performance anxiety and how to overcome that," she said. "You can apply that to so many things: public speaking, giving a book report, preparing for an interview. This is a skill we have to practice. We practice facing those fears."

So far, the program has been a rousing success, Heck Mueller said, bringing a "vibrant energy" to the Extension center.

"We've noted that the average height in the building drops significantly after 4 p.m.," she said. "To hear young voices and those beginner methods, it's fun."

The students enjoy themselves just as much, she said, recalling the community school's first student, Ezra.

"Ezra showed up for the first lesson and bounced through the door with excitement," Heck Mueller said. "Ezra wasn't scared or nervous and couldn't get to that first lesson fast enough."

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