Community Music School is a nonprofit music school in Centerbrook (Essex), CT offering summer musical-theater camps alongside lessons and classes. Its two-week Broadway programs–Broadway Beginners (ages 5-10, half day) and Broadway Bound (ages 10-17)–build singing, acting and choreography skills toward a final production, and it also runs instrument lessons, ensembles and Music Together classes for younger children. Summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am-4pm.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Community Music School directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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Google Reviews
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★★★★★Jane WymanAfter 60 years of not playing my flute since high school, I enjoyed 4 years of activities at CMS that included lessons and flute ensemble with the late Helene Rosenblatt (sorely missed in the flute playing world), a 10 week ukulele class with Bob Nasta at Essex Meadows, and several years in the New Horizons Band with conductor and CMS founder Paddy Hurley. I enjoyed every minute of every activity. I recently left the Essex area to move to a senior facility in Mystic, but my fellow flute players come to visit frequently, and we still enjoy playing the flute together. I notice the only CMS google review here under 5 stars is a previous one by me (with rating of 1) a year ago, and a grievous rating error on my part! It was supposed to be 5! I have submitted a report to Google with a request to delete that review.
★★★★★Theresa D GrahamMartha is an outstanding violinist and private lesson instructor for both children and adults. She also leads the CMS String Ensemble — a friendly and welcoming group for all ages and experience levels. I’m also currently enjoying the Jamming 101 Group Instructional hosted by Martha and Sarah. I highly recommend CMS private lessons, CMS group instructionals, and the CMS String ensemble!
★★★★★Carl HermeyI've been a member of CMS's String Ensemble for close to a decade. I'm not sure I would have continued playing the cello if I had not discovered this wonderful conglomeration of talented, friendly, supportive and engaging amateur musicians. Maestra Martha Herrle is such a pleasure to play for! She's the antithesis of the stereotypical authoritative, domineering, Toscanini-style director. She knows how to explain music to and how to be supportive of players of wide-ranging ages and abilities. She's an excellent violinist in her own right, and though her knowledge of music theory and music history is very deep she never puts it on display. In short, she has discovered the secret of making a "happy orchestra."
★★★★★Shannon DeMeulemeesterOur whole entire family grew up with Community Music School! The teachers are a master of their craft and have given our family not just skills but a way of life that will continue on. I highly recommend taking a lesson or two or joining in with an ensemble. There's something here for everyone!
★★★★★SydneyWonderful music program that is available to players of all skill levels. We’ve played in the string ensemble for years and really enjoy the community. Great opportunity for anyone - from high schoolers who don’t have a music program at their own school, to folks who played an instrument in their youth and want to give it another try, to multi-generational family members that want to play together.