“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 has been a dream of Dr. Andrea Dawson (violin and viola professor at MTSU) for many years. For the last year, a building at 1272 Dow Street has been under renovation. Renovations are complete and we plan to open for instruction in by mid-March. Dr. Jill Austin (MTSU management professor) is helping with development of policies and operations activities for the school.
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.
2024 Summer Camps Registration Open!
Beginner Violin Camp
String Camp
Woodwind Camp
SIGN UP HERE!
1272 Dow Street: Our newly renovated school takes up two thirds of the building. We have a 1,000 square-foot performance room with wood floors and a lovely Kawai GX7 grand piano. Most of our eight teaching rooms are carpeted. Our spacious lobby allows parents to wait comfortably for their children, and it can be used as a reception space after concerts. View our progress here!
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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.
