Cascade Community School of Music builds community through music by pursuing the following mission:

To foster, develop and encourage the musical community of Central Oregon by creating affordable and effective educational and performance opportunities that bring people together in music, regardless of an individual's ability to pay.

By developing a dynamic continuum of education and performance programs, our goal is to afford all members of our community the chance to reclaim the joy, creative power and satisfaction of making music as a life-long activity.

What We Do

Cascade Community School of Music provides quality music education programs for students of all ages and abilities. The value of music education, to individuals and the community, is well documented and beyond question; we're here to ensure it happens. At the Cascade Community School of Music we offer group instrumental instruction and ensemble opportunities, both of which capitalize on the magic of making music with friends. All classes are offered in a supportive, hands-on environment that encourages students to communicate and participate as musicians, and as friends. Our group classes are affordable, effective, and best of all, fun!

Our Place in This Community

At Cascade Community School of Music, musicians of all ages and abilities come together and make wonderful music. Our role is to identify and fill the gaps in the spectrum of music education opportunities for both youth and adults. The classes we offer have been created to address specific needs: to support under-funded programs, to replace programs that have been eliminated, or to offer our community a brand new opportunity. We serve existing programs in the schools by designing classes that directly support them. We support private instrumental teachers by creating ensembles and music theory programs in which their students can participate. We support local businesses by sending our students to them for instruments, music and repair services.

Our History

The School is incorporated as a non-profit, Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws have been adopted, and federal tax-exempt 501(c)3 status has been obtained from the IRS.

CCSM began offering classes in the summer of 2002. Over 50 students of all ages were enrolled in classes ranging from Chamber Music for Strings to African Drumming during that initial offering. Classes were held on the campus of Sagewood School, a small, private Waldorf school on O.B. Riley Rd.  CCSM is now located on the campus of Cascades Academy, 2150 Studio Road.  Please visit our map page for directions.

In late September 2002 CCSM offered the first complete ten-week quarter of classes. 14 classes were offered, including Beginning Trumpet, Clarinet, Flute, Violin, Guitar and Banjo lessons, Celtic Fiddling, Musical Theatre, Children's String Orchestra and more. Of the 14, 10 filled to minimum enrollment levels or above with over 80 students in classes. Since that time, CCSM has also offered successful Winter and Spring quarters and is currently promoting a Summer series of classes.

To date, over 400 students ranging in age from 4 to 78 have enrolled in these classes, the class evaluations have been outstanding. CCSM has also made efforts at fundraising, and has received over $2,000 in grants and Scholarship aids from private individuals and the Central Oregon Symphony Association (COSA). The School has hired an Executive Director, Dillon Schneider, and has a 5-member Board.