History:
Martha Maletz and four music teachers, Beatrice Allen, Jean Fox, Judith Moyer and Marilyn Pinschmidt founded Community Music School in 1981. It became incorporated as a non-profit music education organization on November 9, 1981. A Board of Directors was formed and Frank Cella, Chrysler First, was named the first president. The first formal board meeting was held on January 18, 1982, and Martha Maletz was named Executive Director.

The school opened operations at St. John's Lutheran Church Educational Building on September 8, 1982. In its first year CMS had a faculty of seven and an enrollment of thirty-eight, and offered instruction in piano and voice. Monthly recitals were held, with a special Gala Recital being given in June where certificates of accomplishment were awarded. Scholarships and financial aid during this first year totaled $5,604, helping 58% of the student body.

Today, CMS offers private, semi-private, and group instruction in voice and nearly every instrument. Between one-quarter and one-half of CMS students receive some form of financial assistance. Thirty-four teachers are employed; nearly 1,000 members of the community are reached through musical instruction from our very qualified faculty.

Martha Maletz retired in 1988. Upon her retirement, Martha was named Founding Director Emeritus. George Schermerhorn succeeded her as Executive Director. After seventeen years of service, George retired on June 30, 2005. Dennis Duda of Landsdale began his duties as Executive Director on July 1, 2005.

National Guild Of Community Schools Of The Arts:
Community Music School became a Full Member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts in 1985. Institutional membership in the Guild is by election and is based on the credentials of each organization, its Board and administrative structure, and the effectiveness of its educational programs in the community in which it is located. Its membership is widely represented.

Outreach:
Community Music School has administered numerous outreach programs in the Allentown community since its founding. Students perform, or have performed, for residents in such places as Cedarbrook, Good Shepherd, Phoebe Home, and Luther Crest, as well as for service organizations. They have provided music for the Allentown Literacy Council graduations and organizations like Rotary Club of Allentown West. Other performances include: Harry’s Day in the Park; Wegman’s Market; Allentown Public Library; South Mall. We have, or have had, music therapy outreach programs for residents of Good Shepherd, the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown, the Girls' Club of Allentown, Mercy Special Learning Center, Daybreak, cityspace daycare center, San Martin De Porres Church, Mosser Elementary School, and The Children's Home of Easton. Our teachers perform with the Allentown Symphony, the Pennsylvania Sinfonia, Bach Choir, and Camerata Singers. During the years, our performing choruses have been featured with these groups as well. Vocal students have performed in local productions at Muhlenberg Summer Theater, Civic Little Theater, Munopco and numerous area high school musicals.

Overview:
A recent study by the National Endowment for the Arts, as reported in an article decrying the lack of good instruction in the arts in the public schools, gives the following four goals for basic education in the arts: To understand civilization; to develop creativity; to learn the tools of communication; and to develop the capacity for making wise choices among the products of the arts. Community Music School supplements and compliments the programs in the public schools. It fosters the four goals and provides the means for all to attain them.

Current Activities:
CMS relocated to the second floor of Symphony Hall on North Sixth Street, facilities are designed specifically for music study, in July 2004. Thus, began a new chapter in our history.

New program initiatives, additional sites, and creative synergies will help to position CMS as “the” destination for music excellence for many more members of our Greater Lehigh Valley community. CMS offers music instruction at our North Sixth Street location, at the Jewish Community Center on Tilghman Street – programs offered include early childhood enrichment and music classes, Suzuki violin, and after-school private brass and guitar class; and through the Bonaventure Daycare Academy in Bethlehem. Music enrichment is part of the curriculum for all enrolled in the Daycare facility. For more information on JCC, please call 610.435.3571; for Bonaventure 610.419.8606. The Dream has become a Reality…