“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.
August 17: Private Lessons Begin
September 7: Labor Day Holiday (no lessons)
October 5 – 10: Fall Break (no lessons)
November 23 – 28: Thanksgiving Holiday (no lessons)
December 14: Last private lesson day
December 15 – 16: Private Lesson Make-up Days
December 17 – 20: Student Recitals
August 14, 15: Auditions for String Orchestras (sign-up for a time)
August 17 (5:10 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.): First Meeting of Ensemble 1 – Prelude (Monday)
August 25 (5:10 p.m. – 6:10 p.m.): First Meeting of Ensemble 3 – Capriccio (Tuesday)
August 27 (5:00 p.m. – 5:50 p.m.): First Meeting of Ensemble 2 – Intermezzo (Thursday)
August 27 (6:10 p.m. – 7:25 p.m.): First Meeting of Ensemble 4 – Sinfonia (Thursday)
November 20 (5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.): Ensemble Concerts (Friday)
January 15: Private Lessons Begin
January 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (no lessons)
Mar. 26 – April 3: Spring Break (no lessons)
May 10: Last private lesson Day
May 11 – 12: Private Lesson Make-up Days
May 13 – 16: Student Recitals
June 1: Private Lessons Begin
July 3 – 10: July 4 Holiday (no lessons)
August 2: Last private 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.
Dow Street Community Music School may offer group lessons when there is a demand by students to make a class with at least 4 students. Possible options for group lessons include:
Children – violin, ukulele
Teens – ukulele, guitar, voice
Adults – ukulele, guitar
Ask us about these possibilities for group lessons!
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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.
