As music education programs in public schools face funding challenges across the U.S., many congregations are working to fill the void in their communities by offering innovative programs that provide individual or group music lessons for local children. Such initiatives expand vital outreach and leverage existing resources, such as facilities, personnel, and their inherent role as cultural leaders in their communities. They can also generate an additional revenue stream for the church. They provide a welcome to thousands who do not have easy access to music education and create vibrant communities of artists and teachers. These parish-based music schools exist all around the country, but are relatively unknown.
Parish-Based Music Schools
Workshops and Webinars
Developing a Program for the Local Community
Artistic and administrative leaders of successful programs in three states share their firsthand knowledge and experiences to equip church musicians, clergy, and lay leadership with practical tools for creating and sustaining a program in their parish.
The Importance of Music for Children
The Benefits of Music Education - A Rewarding Partnership, Joseph Ripka (M.M. ’11)
20 Important Benefits of Music In Our Schools - Music Mark, UK
The Benefits of Music Education - PBS Kids, Laura Lewis Brown
School Programs/Profiles
These pages contain profiles of current parish-based music schools and highlight the many models that exist in the United States and Canada.
Music Program Listing
If you have a school or program you would like on this site, click on button to provide the information about the program.
Alert Us to Other Programs
If you know of programs that are not already listed, please forward the name and location to our coordinator.
| Name of Church | Madison Street United Methodist Church |
|---|---|
| Name of School/Program | Madison Street Music & Arts Academy |
| City, State | Clarksville, TN |
| Website | madisonstreetumc.org |
| Primary Contact | Abigail Haake |
| Title/Position | Associate Director of Music and Academy Coordinator |
| Year of inception | 2012 |
| Instruction Offered: | |
| Private lessons | X |
| Group music classes | X |
| Ensembles | X |
| Other arts programs (dance, visual, theater) | |
| Pre-K programs | X |
| No. of instruments | 16 |
| Lesson rate/range: | |
| 30 min. | $20 |
| 45 min. | |
| 60 min. | |
| Are scholarships offered? | Yes |
| Number of teachers | 22 |
| Are teachers employees of the church? | ? |
| Number of students served in the past year | 180 |
| Age range of students served | 3-adult |
| Percentage of students who are not members of or affiliated with the parish | 80% |
| Number of days per week programs are provided | 6 |
| Name of Church | Calvary Church (Episcopal) |
|---|---|
| Name of School/Program | Calvary School of Music |
| City, State | Stonington, CT |
| Website | calvarymusicschool.org |
| Primary Contact | Joseph Ripka |
| Title/Position | Artistic Director, Organist/Choirmaster |
| Year of inception | 2001 |
| Instruction Offered: | |
| Private lessons | X |
| Group music classes | X |
| Ensembles | |
| Other arts programs (dance, visual, theater) | |
| Pre-K programs | X |
| No. of instruments offered | 13 |
| Lesson rate/range: | |
| 30 min. | $30 |
| 45 min. | $45 |
| 60 min. | $60 |
| Are scholarships offered? | Yes |
| Number of teachers | 18 |
| Are teachers employees of the church? | No |
| Number of students served in the past year | 140 |
| Age range of students served | 3 - adult |
| Percentage of students who are not members of or affiliated with the parish | 90% |
| Number of days per week programs are provided | 6 |
| Name of Church | Mount Olivet Lutheran Church |
|---|---|
| Name of School/Program | Mount Olivet School of Music |
| City, State | Minneapolis, MN |
| Website | mtolivet.org/music/mosom |
| Primary Contact | Rebecca Mason |
| Title/Position | Administrator |
| Year of inception | 2003 |
| Instruction Offered: | |
| Private lessons | X |
| Group music classes | X |
| Ensembles | X |
| Other arts programs (dance, visual, theater) | X |
| Pre-K programs | X |
| No. of instruments | 19 |
| Lesson rate/range: | |
| 30 min. | $22-34 |
| 45 min. | $33-51 |
| 60 min. | $44-68 |
| Are scholarships offered? | Yes |
| Number of teachers | 50 |
| Are teachers employees of the church? | ? |
| Number of students served in the past year | 650 |
| Age range of students served | 3-adult |
| Percentage of students who are not members of or affiliated with the parish | 50-60% |
| Number of days per week programs are provided | 6 |