CMS Policies
Policies and Additional Resources
Setup and communication regarding lessons is between student and teacher. The office staff does not schedule private lessons or arrange individual teachers’ schedules from week to week.
The CMS schedule is broken up into Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. Please check individual programs for schedule information. Registration is available year-round for private lessons. Priority will be given to students enrolling at the beginning of each semester, but if studio space allows, students may begin lessons at any time, in which case fees are prorated. Registration for classes/sessions/workshops is only available at the beginning of classes.
Fall Semester 2025: September 2 through December 15, 2025
(No lessons the week of November 24)
Placement will be determined by an interview and/or audition. To facilitate an appropriate match, a trial lesson may be requested by the student or the CMS teacher. No additional fee will be charged for the trial lesson; however, if the student decides to enroll, the trial lesson will count as their first lesson for which they will be charged.
Teachers are not obligated to make up lessons/classes/sessions missed by students. One make-up lesson per semester can be scheduled at the teacher’s discretion for private lessons. Students are requested to give at least a 24-hour notice of cancellation. Please be sure to contact the teacher directly. Classes/lessons/sessions missed due to faculty absence or school closings will be rescheduled at a mutually convenient time.
Refunds will not be granted for student absences. Full tuition refunds will be given for any CMS class which is cancelled or for which written request is received prior to the first class. No refunds will be made after the second class.
Students are responsible for arriving at lessons and classes on time. A teacher is required to wait 15 minutes for a student; however, the lesson will end on time. A make-up lesson or class will not be given for the time missed by the student. Children must be delivered and picked up at the assigned time and room. Young children will not be released to meet parents at the parking lot.
Students need to give four weeks’ notice for lesson discontinuation. If students fail to give proper notice, a full month’s fee will be assessed even if the student does not attend those lessons.
The SDSU Community Music School reserves the right to dismiss any student because of lack of interest, frequent absences (more than three in a row), frequent tardiness, behavioral problems, or failure to abide by policies.
Faculty members and students must agree that students registered at the CMS will not be accepted by faculty for purposes of instruction outside the CMS for a period of three years from the time of withdrawal by the student or the faculty, in a fifty-mile radius.
The CMS reserves the right to withdraw courses for which enrollment is insufficient. Additional classes may be offered if class reaches maximum enrollment.
All music that students use in the private or class instruction will be purchased by the student either through a music store or the instructor. Copied music, except what is legally reproduced for classroom use, is prohibited.
We have a modest amount of scholarship/financial aid available. To apply for need-based tuition assistance, please complete all questions and submit this form with the approved supporting documentation. Please email [email protected], or call at 619-594-1699 with any questions. All information will be kept confidential and only used for the purposes of determining eligibility for tuition assistance.
Upon request, a discount of 10% on fees is available for a second student from the same family.
All cars (even those with ADA placards/plates) need an SDSU parking permit to park in student or visitor spaces.
Save time and money by purchasing a parking permit prior to driving to campus. Through the Aztec Parking Portal create a guest account, purchase the $7/day permit and place the printed permit on your dash once parked in a student parking structure. You can also watch the below video to learn more.
Permits can be purchased on campus at the top level of parking structure 12 for $3/hour, or via PayByPhone app (download prior to arriving on campus).
View pdf file with directions to the School of Music and Dance
