The Hastings Community Music School, a program of the Thornapple Arts Council, is committed to providing quality music education to students of all ages in Hastings and the surrounding area.

HCMS offers lessons in electric, acoustic, classical,  and bass guitar. Other lesson options include accordion, cello, clarinet, drums, flute, harmonica, percussion, piano, recorder, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, ukulele, viola, violin, and voice.

The HCMS office is located in the basement of Ace Hardware at 200 S Boltwood in Hastings.

HCMS entrance

For more information, call or text 269-948-9441 or email hcms@thornapplearts.org.

Payment Information
Tuition payments may be made weekly, monthly, or in full at the beginning of the semester. Virtual lessons must be paid in advance.

Lessons are $20 per half hour, $30 for 45 minutes, and $40 for one hour. There is a $10 registration fee per person per school year. Lessons may be terminated for nonpayment.

Refund/Withdrawal Policy
Registration for piano and violin/viola is a semester commitment. All other lessons may be scheduled in six or twelve-week blocks or by special arrangement with the office staff and instructors. We also offer special classes, group lessons when appropriate, and short-term tutoring.

To withdraw, a student or parent must contact the HCMS office. Nonattendance or notice to the instructor is not sufficient notice of withdrawal.

Inclement Weather Policy
The Hastings Community Music School closes when the Hastings Public Schools do. Please check online at the HCMS Facebook page, WBCH, Channel 3, or Channel 8 for announcements of school closings due to weather.

Performance Opportunities
Students are encouraged to perform to further their skills. HCMS offers a variety of performance opportunities throughout the year at the school and in the community. Please contact your teacher or ask the office staff for more information.

Student and Teacher Absences
Registering for private lessons at the Hastings Community Music School is a commitment of a designated weekly time for student and teacher. Please check your family schedule carefully when registering to ensure that you will be able to keep that commitment.

1. If a teacher cancels, or weather dictates HCMS cancel, prepaid lesson(s) will be credited to student accounts at semester end unless other arrangements are made for a make-up lesson.

2. Student cancellations must be communicated to the HCMS office at least three hours prior to the lesson time on the day to be cancelled. Failure to contact the office will result in the lesson being charged to the student’s account. No-shows and lessons cancelled with less than the three-hour notice time may not be made up or credited.

A make-up week is available at the end of fall and winter semesters for eligible make-up or rescheduled lessons.

Progress Reports/Evaluations
Students receive a written progress report from their instructor in the fall and winter semesters. With the teacher’s permission, parents/caregivers are welcome to sit in on their child’s lesson. Please contact the teacher first with any concerns or questions you have, remembering that lesson day is not usually the best time for an extended conversation, as the teacher may have other students waiting.

Health and Safety
The Thornapple Arts Council and the Hastings Community Music School are committed to providing the safest environment possible for our students, staff, families, and the community. To that end…

• all teachers and staff members complete background checks and fingerprinting.
• there are plans in place that provide for the safe evacuation of the building if necessary.
• the HCMS sanitation policy regarding COVID-19 is compliant with the most recent guidelines provided by the CDC, Michigan Department of Education, gubernatorial executive orders, and the local Barry-Eaton Health Department.

Community Support
Tuition and fees do not cover the total cost of HCMS programs; fundraising events and other community and state resources also help cover costs. One of the main HCMS fundraising events is an annual student event from which all proceeds benefit HCMS programming. All students are asked to take part as they are able.

Questions and Concerns
If you have questions or concerns about HCMS or its programs and policies, please contact the HCMS office at 269-948-9441. HCMS can also be contacted via email or Facebook message.

Practice Length
Students need consistency in practice. A minimum of four days a week is recommended to maintain a student’s level of learning. To improve and grow, five to seven days a week are recommended.

Children four to eight years of age should practice ten to fifteen minutes twice a day. Beginning students, ages nine and up, need twenty minutes of practice a day. Intermediate students should practice at least thirty minutes a day, advanced students an hour a day.

Practice Method
Here are some ideas for your practice time:

• Warm Up/Technique
• Work on tough spots
• Play a familiar piece or passage
• Count carefully
• Listen to tone production
• Play for a family member or friend

Parental Support
Your student needs evidence of your support to achieve the most from their lessons/classes. Encourage children by listening to them and courteously asking permission to comment. Remember that mistakes are all part of learning, and that showing interest and support is different from making your child feel like every practice is a performance.

Current Information
HCMS is offering both in-person and virtual lessons. Students and parents can choose the method of instruction with which they are most comfortable.

Safety Measures

• Unvaccinated individuals must wear masks in the common areas. Individuals who are fully vaccinated need not wear masks.
  
• Teachers will wipe down classrooms between each lesson. Thorough cleaning will take place daily. Hand sanitizer will be available.
• The number of people in the common areas will be limited. Not more than one person may accompany a student to the school.