Music
Play it. Perform it. Record it. Compose it. Pursue your passion and learn from some of Chicago’s finest professional musicians.
CMC: Your music is here.
Learn to play the piano for fun. Improve your singing, accompany someone on guitar, record your songs or learn how jazz was born.
Harper's CE Community Music Center (CMC) is open to all ages and skill levels, No matter your experience, interest or instrument, CMC's accomplished instructors, some of Chicago's finest professional musicians, are ready to help you pursue your music.
Classes: Explorations, Group Lessons and Ensembles
You’ll find children’s classes like Kinderpiano for five-year-olds and Group Guitar for Children for ages 7-10. Adults can get into the act with Simple Strummin’ Group Guitar or join our Jazz Improvisation Combo. Come play with us.
Learn the basics of music theory or explore with classes like American Music Styles, Introduction to Jazz, and Listening to Great Music. Learn to record, mix and edit music with our Sound Recording CE Courses and Certificate or our Modern and Commercial Music Business classes, your first steps toward a successful career in music.
Find Classes:
Performance Improvement: The Alexander Technique
CMC regularly offers an Alexander Technique for Every Body class, a proven method for enhancing stage presence, responsiveness and ease while performing. This popular course is open to ages 18-adult and no experience is required. Find class LMU0365 in the course brochure above. Private instruction is also available. For more information, call 847.925.6300.
Private Music Lessons
CMC’s highly trained professional musician instructors offer lessons for piano, strings, guitar, winds, brass, folk instruments, percussion and voice for students at all levels.
Lessons are scheduled once a week for 30, 45 and 60 minutes for 8 or 16 weeks:
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30 min/week: for 16 weeks $537 for 8 weeks $286
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45 min/week: for 16 weeks $806 for 8 weeks $404
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60 min/week: for 16 weeks $994 for 8 weeks $537
If you are applying for Private Lessons for the first time, we will evaluate you so we can match you with an instructor according to your skill level. If you are a new student, complete our Private Lesson Application Form or call CMC for more information at 847.925.6659.
Opportunities to Perform and Grow
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Annual Piano Ensemble Recital showcases our Preparatory Piano Program students in a May “monster concert,” of their group lessons pieces. Chamber Music Ensembles perform at Harper events and in the community.
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Monthly Student Recitals help students develop confidence and poise.
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Piano Festival, a non-competitive event for students to perform for an outside adjudicator and receive a rating and certificate.
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Semester Progress Reports to parents note students’ successes and areas for improvement.
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Technique Olympics: Our piano athletes participate in a series of events to earn gold, silver and bronze medals for their accomplishments in scales, arpeggios and other technical areas.
Scholarships
study a musical instrument. If cost is a concern, scholarships are available for fall and spring semesters for students in grades 1–12, based on financial need. For more information or to apply, call 847.925.6065. If you would like to contribute to a CMC Scholarship, call 847.925.6659.
Studios/Class Locations
Unless otherwise noted in course descriptions, all CMC classes and lessons are taught at Harper’s main campus in the Music Instruction Center (Building P), a space shared with the College’s Music Department. Teaching studios are equipped with excellently maintained grand and studio pianos, while our computer music lab has over 20 Macintosh computers, Korg synthesizers and an LCD system for clear teacher demonstrations.
