Together We Empower

Make an impact on our musicians

You are the foundation for the success of CMS students. Your donation can support scholarships, need-based tuition assistance, special projects and diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) initiatives. No matter what area you choose to support, you can feel confident that you are making an impact.

$105,000
distributed in scholarships, tuition assistance and discounts
an orchestra of young students playing

CMS at Carnegie Hall

The Community Music School of Webster University’s Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra (YPSO) has been selected to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall on April 18, 2025. This remarkable opportunity is a testament to the talent and dedication of our young musicians and YPSO Conductor Patrick Jackson.

Contributions will directly fund transportation, lodging, and other expenses for the orchestra’s 3-night stay in New York City. By donating, you’re not just supporting a trip; you’re investing in a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will inspire and enrich the lives of 100 talented young musicians.

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teacher with piano student

Support Our Students

Underwrite the tuition for one student for one academic year:

$500 - $750

Group class | Summer camp | String Ensemble | String Orchestra | Early childhood class | Young People's Concert Orchestra (YPCO) | Young People's Symphonic Orchestra (YPSO)

$1,000 - $2,000

Preparatory program | Beginner and intermediate lessons | Beginner Suzuki

$2,000 - $3,000

Intermediate and advanced Suzuki | Advanced lessons

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McKinley High School

Build After-School Programs

$10,000

Bring the expertise of the Community Music School and their faculty to an underserved school. Currently the CMS is providing DISCOUNTED lessons to students at McKinley High School in the St. Louis Public School District. We'd like to expand this program into other underserved schools to help build robust orchestra, band, and choral programs. A gift of $10,000 is needed to begin at a new school. Tuition discounts will be supported by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Fund and the Scholarship Fund.

Will you help?

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African american young man with violin

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives (DEI)

All gifts welcome!

CMS recognizes that DEI encompasses many underserved communities. At this time, we are focused on what we perceive to be the most immediate need — support for musicians of color. Therefore, gifts to this fund will be focused on scholarships, need-based tuition assistance and discounts for musicians in communities of color. As the CMS learns more about the needs in this community and others, additional programs will be developed and funded.

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CMS Center building

General Operating Support

All gifts welcome!

It may not be flashy, but a gift to support our day to day activities makes a huge impact on our students, faculty, and staff. These funds could be used for video and audio recordings, to tune our pianos, to hire a desperately needed staff person, to bring in extra coaches and master class instructors, to print brochures, invest in computer software to streamline processes, and so much more!

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Help us

Make music education accessible

Thanks to the generosity of our funders over our 90+ year history, the Community Music School of Webster University can offer scholarships, discounts and tuition assistance — making high-quality music education accessible to students and families that may not otherwise have the financial resources.

35%
of CMS Students receive financial assistance