Fall at HCMS
The summer term is over and HCMS is closed until fall!
Fall Term Information
Term dates: September 6th-December 15th
Lessons offered: Monday-Thursday
Registration for the fall semester is underway! For more information or to schedule lessons, email Norma Jean or call 269-948-9441.
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School Info | Teacher Bios | Instructor Videos
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
- 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.
Teacher Bios
- Doug Acker
- Dennis Downing
- Jayne Flanigan
- Tina Horrigan
- Beth Lepak
- Cindy Olson
- Joan Schroeder
- Steve Youngs
Doug Acker
Acoustic, electric, dobro, and bass guitar; trumpet; beginning trombone; accordion; beginning piano; ukele
Musical and Teaching Background
First became involved with music in the Hastings Area Band program. Learned to play guitar and continued to play and learn other instruments as well as study music theory. Started giving guitar lessons in the early 1970’s. Doug has been teaching at HCMS for 14 years. Music has been a constant influence and continues to be today.
Additional Info
Doug is a local performer playing in many local bands over the years including Midwest, Grand Theft, Grumpy Old Men, Hastings Heartbeats. Thornapple Jazz Orchestra, and Hastings City Band among others. He has been acting, directing, singing and dancing with the Thornapple Players community theatre group since 2000. He is a founding TP board member.
Dennis Downing
Percussion
Degree
Master of Science Occupational Therapy, 2017
Musical and Teaching Background
I’ve been with HCMS for 10 years. I am currently drumline instructor for Maple Valley High School in Vermontville and Lakewood High School in Lake Odessa. I have performed in over 30 pit orchestras for musical theatre productions in the community and at The Barn Theatre in Augusta, MI. I have also performed with MSU Drumline, Lansing Community College Percussion Ensemble, Kellogg Community College Show Choir, Jazz and Concert bands, and with Ed Englerth Band as well as other local and regional bands. I perform with Thornapple Jazz Orchestra and in the Worship Team at Harvest Community Church in Lake Odessa. My interests include computers, film and exploring how music can help in the world of medicine.
Jayne Flanigan
Piano
Musical and Teaching Background
From the time I can remember until I graduated from high school, I took piano lessons, learning all the classics. Even before I graduated from high school, I was playing piano and organ with my mother during Sunday morning church and at weddings.
During my 20s, I continued to play with my mother. By the time I was 30, I was playing by myself during Sunday morning church, at weddings, and at funerals. When I was ready to close my law practice in 2021, I knew I wanted to teach piano. The Hastings Community Music School was gracious enough to offer me a teaching position, which I have thoroughly enjoyed.
Tina Horrigan
Cello, violin, viola
Musical and Teaching Background
I’ve been a teacher at HCMS since 2006. I’ve taught music for over 50 years. I began music lessons at age 4 on piano. Lessons on violin, flute & cello followed, with learned abilities on other instruments. My musical background includes performing professionally with orchestras, groups, and soloing throughout Michigan along with performing in educational groups for Grand Rapids Symphony.
Additional Info
I find great joy in helping students discover their instruments and musical expression.
Beth Lepak
Violin, viola, piano
Degrees
Bachelor of Arts, Western Michigan University, 1964
Master of Arts, Michigan State University, 1972
Musical and Teaching Background
I started teaching violin and viola through private lessons after graduation from WMU and have continued teaching privately from my home since then, adding my teaching through the Hastings Community Music School in 1999 when it was set up through the Community Music School of Battle Creek. For the past 10 or so years, I have also conducted a string ensemble through the Battle Creek Youth Orchestra. The ensemble is composed of both youth and adults and our purpose is to enjoy playing music together. I have played many years in several area orchestras including the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Kalamazoo Symphony, and the Battle Creek Symphony. I have also enjoyed playing various places around Hastings, including as a “street musician” during our very musically dry summer last year and for several years as a stage musician for the Mary Youngs Scholarship Concert and “in the pit” for several Thornapple Arts Players musicals and Maple Valley H.S. musicals.
Additional Info
Our string ensemble, Music Connections String Ensemble, is always looking for new members. We have enjoyed playing for various assisted living homes and as guests at the Thornapple Wind Band’s concerts. We meet Thursday evenings at 6:30-7:30 in the Cedar Creek Bible Church’s lower level, following health department guidelines as closely as possible. If you have any experience on a bowed string instrument, join us! We’d love to have you!
Cindy Olson
Piano, voice, beginning flute
Degrees
B.A. in Music, Wittenberg University, 1991
M.A. in Church Music & M. Div., Trinity Lutheran Seminary, 2000
Musical and Teaching Background
I’ve been involved in music as long as I can remember, being in choirs since I was a little girl and starting piano lessons starting at age 5. I’ve been Minister of Music (organist, pianist, choir director) at Grace Lutheran Church, Hastings, since the fall of 2002. I started my time with HCMS as the Hastings Kids Choir director in the winter of 2004 and was asked to consider teaching piano within the year, with voice and flute added over time. I discovered my love for teaching music in this process.
Joan Bosserd-Schroeder
Oboe, clarinet, saxophone, woodwinds
All band instruments, 6-8 grade
Degrees
Bachelor in Music Education, Central Michigan University
Masters in Music Education, Michigan State University
Musical and Teaching Background
I was an instrumental music teacher for 33 years many of those years as a band director in the Hastings Area schools. Prior to that I had short stints at Muskegon Catholic and the Marcellus Community Schools. I have taught private lessons both in person and virtually along with sectional work for area schools. I have been with HCMS for close to two years now.
Additional Info
I also perform in the Thornapple Jazz Orchestra, a recorder ensemble, the Hastings summer Band, and the Thornapple Winds. I also participate in a number of music ensembles when needed in the area. I run sound and record video for the Gull Lake Inited Methodist Church.
My life is not all music. I walk every day, gravel and road bike, show/train dogs and am an equestrian.
Steve Youngs
Guitar, ukulele, voice
Degrees
B.A. in Education, Michigan State University
Masters in Education, Loyola University Chicago
Musical and Teaching Background
I have taught beginning guitar at HCMS for fifteen years now. I also direct music at St. Rose Catholic Church, have sung with Opera Grand Rapids for 13 years, and am in many plays and musicals with Thornapple Players. I also organize the Mary Youngs Benefit Concert. I love teaching music and making music with others.
- Dennis Downing
- Doug Acker
- Jayne Flanigan
- Tina Horrigan
- Beth Lepak
- Cindy Olson
- Joan Schroeder
- Steve Youngs
Dennis Downing
Percussion
Degree
Master of Science Occupational Therapy, 2017
Musical and Teaching Background
I’ve been with HCMS for 10 years. I am currently drumline instructor for Maple Valley High School in Vermontville and Lakewood High School in Lake Odessa. I have performed in over 30 pit orchestras for musical theatre productions in the community and at The Barn Theatre in Augusta, MI. I have also performed with MSU Drumline, Lansing Community College Percussion Ensemble, Kellogg Community College Show Choir, Jazz and Concert bands, and with Ed Englerth Band as well as other local and regional bands. I perform with Thornapple Jazz Orchestra and in the Worship Team at Harvest Community Church in Lake Odessa. My interests include computers, film and exploring how music can help in the world of medicine.
Doug Acker
Acoustic, electric, dobro, and bass guitar; trumpet; beginning trombone; accordion; beginning piano; ukele
Musical and Teaching Background
First became involved with music in the Hastings Area Band program. Learned to play guitar and continued to play and learn other instruments as well as study music theory. Started giving guitar lessons in the early 1970’s. Doug has been teaching at HCMS for 14 years. Music has been a constant influence and continues to be today.
Additional Info
Doug is a local performer playing in many local bands over the years including Midwest, Grand Theft, Grumpy Old Men, Hastings Heartbeats. Thornapple Jazz Orchestra, and Hastings City Band among others. He has been acting, directing, singing and dancing with the Thornapple Players community theatre group since 2000. He is a founding TP board member.
Jayne Flanigan
Piano
Musical and Teaching Background
From the time I can remember until I graduated from high school, I took piano lessons, learning all the classics. Even before I graduated from high school, I was playing piano and organ with my mother during Sunday morning church and at weddings.
During my 20s, I continued to play with my mother. By the time I was 30, I was playing by myself during Sunday morning church, at weddings, and at funerals. When I was ready to close my law practice in 2021, I knew I wanted to teach piano. The Hastings Community Music School was gracious enough to offer me a teaching position, which I have thoroughly enjoyed.
Tina Horrigan
Cello, violin, viola
Musical and Teaching Background
I’ve been a teacher at HCMS since 2006. I’ve taught music for over 50 years. I began music lessons at age 4 on piano. Lessons on violin, flute & cello followed, with learned abilities on other instruments. My musical background includes performing professionally with orchestras, groups, and soloing throughout Michigan along with performing in educational groups for Grand Rapids Symphony.
Additional Info
I find great joy in helping students discover their instruments and musical expression.
Beth Lepak
Violin, viola, piano
Degrees
Bachelor of Arts, Western Michigan University, 1964
Master of Arts, Michigan State University, 1972
Musical and Teaching Background
I started teaching violin and viola through private lessons after graduation from WMU and have continued teaching privately from my home since then, adding my teaching through the Hastings Community Music School in 1999 when it was set up through the Community Music School of Battle Creek. For the past 10 or so years, I have also conducted a string ensemble through the Battle Creek Youth Orchestra. The ensemble is composed of both youth and adults and our purpose is to enjoy playing music together. I have played many years in several area orchestras including the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Kalamazoo Symphony, and the Battle Creek Symphony. I have also enjoyed playing various places around Hastings, including as a “street musician” during our very musically dry summer last year and for several years as a stage musician for the Mary Youngs Scholarship Concert and “in the pit” for several Thornapple Arts Players musicals and Maple Valley H.S. musicals.
Additional Info
Our string ensemble, Music Connections String Ensemble, is always looking for new members. We have enjoyed playing for various assisted living homes and as guests at the Thornapple Wind Band’s concerts. We meet Thursday evenings at 6:30-7:30 in the Cedar Creek Bible Church’s lower level, following health department guidelines as closely as possible. If you have any experience on a bowed string instrument, join us! We’d love to have you!
Cindy Olson
Piano, voice, beginning flute
Degrees
B.A. in Music, Wittenberg University, 1991
M.A. in Church Music & M. Div., Trinity Lutheran Seminary, 2000
Musical and Teaching Background
I’ve been involved in music as long as I can remember, being in choirs since I was a little girl and starting piano lessons starting at age 5. I’ve been Minister of Music (organist, pianist, choir director) at Grace Lutheran Church, Hastings, since the fall of 2002. I started my time with HCMS as the Hastings Kids Choir director in the winter of 2004 and was asked to consider teaching piano within the year, with voice and flute added over time. I discovered my love for teaching music in this process.
Joan Bosserd-Schroeder
Oboe, clarinet, saxophone, woodwinds
All band instruments, 6-8 grade
Degrees
Bachelor in Music Education, Central Michigan University
Masters in Music Education, Michigan State University
Musical and Teaching Background
I was an instrumental music teacher for 33 years many of those years as a band director in the Hastings Area schools. Prior to that I had short stints at Muskegon Catholic and the Marcellus Community Schools. I have taught private lessons both in person and virtually along with sectional work for area schools. I have been with HCMS for close to two years now.
Additional Info
I also perform in the Thornapple Jazz Orchestra, a recorder ensemble, the Hastings summer Band, and the Thornapple Winds. I also participate in a number of music ensembles when needed in the area. I run sound and record video for the Gull Lake Inited Methodist Church.
My life is not all music. I walk every day, gravel and road bike, show/train dogs and am an equestrian.
Steve Youngs
Guitar, ukulele, voice
Degrees
B.A. in Education, Michigan State University
Masters in Education, Loyola University Chicago
Musical and Teaching Background
I have taught beginning guitar at HCMS for fifteen years now. I also direct music at St. Rose Catholic Church, have sung with Opera Grand Rapids for 13 years, and am in many plays and musicals with Thornapple Players. I also organize the Mary Youngs Benefit Concert. I love teaching music and making music with others.
Instructor Videos
Not able to join us quite yet? Keep your skills sharp with these instructional videos from select HCMS teachers.
