Instrumental Music Program

“It is music, and dancing, that makes me at peace with the world – and at peace with myself.”

~ Nelson Mandela

 

CFS has a long history of musical excellence and opportunity in both our curricular and co-curricular programs. The Instrumental Music Program offers professional instruction to CFS students on a variety of instruments. Lessons are available during the school year with classes taking place during the school day and/or after school.

 

Below is a breakdown of our annual cost. (You only need to pay 10% of the total amount during enrollment)

Afterschool Group Strings – $1

Grades 3/4 String Ensemble – $415

African Drumming – $825

Friends Band – $825

Jazz Band – $825

Private Lessons – $1,120

 

Finally, families wishing to sign up for any of the Instrumental Music Programs should please access the registration form on the Resource Board within their MyCFS accounts.

Program Information

Instrumental Music Program - Individual Lessons

Cambridge Friends School is delighted to offer individual instruction on a variety of musical instruments. Students may take the following 30-minute individual instrumental music lessons:

 

  • Recorder (Grades 2-8)
  • Piano (Grades 2-8)
  • Flute (Grades 4-8)
  • Clarinet (Grades 4-8)
  • Saxophone (Grades 4-8)
  • Violin (Grades 3-8)
  • Cello (Grades 3-8)

 

There are two 14-week sessions per school year. Session 1 runs September to mid-February, and Session 2 runs late-February to May, for a total of 28 professionally instructed lessons. Each session also allots time for make-up lessons due to snow closures, vacation days, or absences. Make-up lessons will be provided for up to two student absences per year.

 

Individual, private music lessons are available during the school day, as well as after school, Mondays through Fridays, for students in grades 2-8. Lessons during the school day will be arranged in conjunction with a student’s classroom teacher, with input from parent(s)/guardian(s) and student.

 

While instrumental music lessons incur an additional fee above tuition, financial assistance is available for all students who qualify for tuition financial aid. The formula for financial aid is one-half (50%) of the financial aid percentage awarded for day school tuition. For example, if a family gets 42% of day school tuition covered by financial aid, then 21% of the afterschool fee will be covered by financial aid.

 

Current parents interested in registering should login to MyCFS and access the Resource Board. Details and registration information will be found under the Instrumental Music Program tile. For more information on this program, contact Marytha at 617.354.3880, ext. 163 or m.paffrath@cambridgefriendsschool.org.

Instrumental Music Program - Ensembles and Classes

The Instrumental Music Program also offers group classes for students in Kindergarten through grade 8. All group instruction will be held after school. This includes:

 

African Drumming

Grades 1-3 on Wednesdays from 3:00 to 4:00 pm

Grades 4-8 on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 pm

This lively, hands-on class teaches students African drumming techniques and rhythms.

 

Grade 3/4 String Ensemble

Grades 3-4 on Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:00 pm

Grade 3/4 String Ensemble is a 30 minute group class for string players who have previously participated in the CFS Afterschool String program. 

 

Friends Band

Grades 5-8 on Mondays from 3:00 to 4:00 pm

A foundational band experience for students with at least 1-year prior instruction or approval from the Director of the Instrumental Music Program. Students are expected to continue private lessons on their instrument either at CFS or elsewhere

 

Middle School Jazz Band

Grades 6-8 on Tuesdays from 3:00 to 4:00 pm

This ensemble experience is for middle-school students with at least 2-years prior instruction or approval from the Director of the Instrumental Music Program. Students are expected to continue private lessons on their instrument either at CFS or elsewhere.

 

While instrumental music lessons incur an additional fee above tuition, financial assistance is available for all students who qualify for tuition financial aid. The formula for financial aid is one-half (50%) of the financial aid percentage awarded for day school tuition. For example, if a family gets 42% of day school tuition covered by financial aid, then 21% of the afterschool fee will be covered by financial aid.

 

Current parents interested in registering should login to MyCFS and access the Resource Board. Details and registration information will be found under the Instrumental Music Program tile. For more information on this program, contact Marytha at 617.354.3880, ext. 163 or m.paffrath@cambridgefriendsschool.org.

Early Childhood String Program

CFS is also pleased to offer an afterschool Early Childhood String Program for grades Pre-K to grade 2 complimentary to CFS families. Now in its fourth year, the program has been growing in popularity with our Lower School families. Group lessons are 30-minutes long and take place on Tuesdays for beginners and Thursdays for continuing students. To ensure continuity of learning, we recommend that current third-grade students or higher who previously participated in the program or wish to start, take private individual lessons.  

 

This program was initially funded by a grant from the Kathryn and Charles Avison-Miriam Avison Charitable Foundation at the Boston Foundation, which was established through the estate of a longtime attendee of Friends Meeting Cambridge. CFS was fortunate to receive such funding for this pilot program that the school now continues to provide. The only cost associated with this program is the rental fee for the instrument (violin or cello) which ranges from about $200 per year for violins to $250 for cellos. Some financial aid is available to help with instrument rentals if needed.

 

For more information, parents should login to MyCFS and access the Resource Board. Details and registration information will be found under the Instrumental Music Program tile. Please contact Marytha at 617.354.3880, ext. 163 or m.paffrath@cambridgefriendsschool.org for further questions about this program.