“Music brings people together. It enhances our lives, at every stage, and improves our health and wellbeing. Children and adults blossom when music is part of our lives. We learn to express emotions in a safe and nurturing environment, confidence and resilience improve, and we learn to work with others. We form connections across space and time to musical traditions near and far. We develop the skills and perseverance needed to thrive in every future endeavor, all while participating in a fun, creative outlet! Music changes lives.”
Dr. Andrea Dawson, Professor of Violin and Viola (MTSU School of Music) and Founder of Dow Street Community Music School
The Dow Street Community Music School is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Providing music instruction to children and adults in a community music school setting was a dream of Dr. Andrea Dawson (violin and viola professor at Middle Tennessee State University) for many years. Dr. Dawson’s dream became a reality in 2023 when the building at 1272 Dow Street underwent a renovation and transformation into Dow Street Community Music School. Dr. Jill Austin (MTSU management professor) assists with development of policies and operations activities for the school.
Fall 2024 Semester Schedule
Nov. 25 – 29: Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 13 – 15: Recitals
Dec. 16 : Last Lesson Day
Spring 2025 Semester Schedule
Jan. 21: Lessons Begin
Feb. 17: Presidents’ Day Holiday
Mar. 31–Apr 4: Spring Break
April 18: Good Friday Holiday
May 12: Last Lesson Day
May 16 – 18: Recitals
Summer 2025 Semester Schedule
June 2: Lessons Begin
June 30- July 4: 4th of July Week Holiday
August 1: Last Lesson Day
The Dow Street Community Music School at 1272 Dow Street has seven teaching rooms for individual lessons, one teaching room for group lessons, and a performance hall that seats about 90 people. Learn More.
Anyone who has had the opportunity and the pleasure of learning a musical instrument will tell you how fun it is and how music can transcend.
Our instructors are experienced and well-qualified. Learning a new instrument can be one of the most effective ways to develop new mental pathways and make new connections.
Fall Course Registration Information is now
available on our lessons page. This fall we will
be offering Private Lessons as well as Group Lessons.
Learn more.
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These are some ways donors can help with our mission:
• Fund need-based scholarships – A typical scholarship is $200 – $250 per student. This pays ½ tuition for 15 lessons.
• Purchase musical instruments and/or contribute toward instrument repair – Dow Street loans string instruments to beginner violin students and to need-based scholarship children. Repairs will include new strings, bow re-hairs, mending of broken instruments. $50 will pay for strings for an instrument, $50 will pay for a bow re-hair, and $120 will pay for most instrument repairs.
• Area of greatest need – these funds go toward programming, supplies (like music), utilities, and other day-to-day expenses that help us keep the doors open.
