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Founded in 1924, Community Music School offers individual lessons and classes
for over 1,100 youngsters and adults each year in multiple locations.  Originally
called First Settlement Music School, the School was founded in 1924 by members
of the Chromatic Club of Buffalo and community leaders as an adjunct to Welcome
Hall Social Settlement. The School, located at 232 Myrtle Street in a structure
built by Mrs. Alfred Schoellkopf, opened with 58 piano and violin students paying
25, 35 and 50 cents a lesson. Soon voice, harmony, chorus and "aesthetic" dancing
were offered. Over the years the School has expanded its offerings to include
winds, electric guitar, jazz, drumming, fiddling and computer composition. The
School became a charter member ofÊthe National Guild of Community Schools of the
Arts in 1937.
 First
Settlement Music School was renamed Community Music School of Buffalo (CMS) in
1948. The new name better represented the School's services, the diverse student
body and directions for the future.
Community
Music School is committed to providing musical public service programs to Western
New York and quality music instruction for individuals of all ages and levels
of ability regardless of aspirations or financial resources. The professional
faculty and administrative staff together with the volunteers believe that anyone
who has a genuine interest in music can benefit from study and deserves the opportunity
to pursue it.
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