Community Music Institute (CMI) of Lebanon Valley College

Director: Susan Szydlowski
717-867-6383
E-mail: szydlows@lvc.edu

View the complete CMI Catalogue

The Community Music Institute is the non-credit music division of the Department of Continuing Education. Established over 40 years ago, we offer the community opportunities for lifelong learning, welcoming alumni, alumni families, and students of all ages from surrounding counties. The Community Music Institute provides opportunities for private instrumental and voice instruction, recital venues, ensemble participation, and a full curricula of Kindermusik, a preschool group music instruction program.

We offer private lessons in violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, cornet, French horn, baritone, tuba, piano, percussion, and voice. Our students range from beginers in elementary school to advanced adults. Although some of our students are college-bound and are preparing for careers in music, most are studying for personal enjoyment and the desire to enrich their lives with music. All ages and abilities are welcome, from the very young violinist to the retiree who always wanted to play an instrument or sing. The student and the student's goals are always kept in mind as the reach for excellence continues.

Part of the private lesson program is the opportunity to perform in the two annual recitals. Our students are encouraged to perform, yet are never forced. We also have two performance groups, a string ensemble, and a brass ensemble. All students of intermediate level and above are invited to join.

Another facet of our department is the Kindermusik Program. Here we introduce music to children, newborn to seven years old, and their families. In this unique studio program, group music instruction nurtures the child's total development. The teacher creates an environment in which children explore the world through music. Kindermusik prepares children for the next step in their musical life—learning an instrument, singing in a choir, participating in music and movement classes, or joining an ensemble. There are four curricula of Kindermusik, one for newborn to 18 months, one for children 18 months to three-and-a-half years old, another from three-and-a-half to five, and another from five to seven years old. Summer brings the opportunity to continue with Kindermusik in a shortened camp setting. The emphasis of the program is on the process of learning music, not the performance of music.

To register for Kindermusik, please download the music registration form

For further details, times of classes, or to set up lessons, please contact Mrs. Szydlowski at (717) 867-6383 or by e-mail at szydlows@lvc.edu.