About CMA Studio

A core element of CMA’s mission is enriching the community through music education. Every season, our guest artists deliver free educational events in the community.

Students from local schools, colleges, and universities, as well as the general public, are invited to learn from some of the greatest musicians of our time. All CMA Studio programs are open to the public and offered at no cost to schools thanks to generous support from the community.

Music can have a very positive impact on children. Involvement with music, especially playing an instrument, has been shown to improve socialization skills, school attendance, and academic achievement and increase classroom engagement.

CMA Partners with the Boys & Girls Club of Central Iowa and Drake University

The Civic Music Association, in partnership with Drake University and the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa, has launched an initiative to promote access to food and essential supplies. Join us and bring non-perishable food items, health and hygiene products, and school supplies to all CMA and Drake University Music Department concerts held in Sheslow Auditorium. All donations will go to the Gregory & Suzie Glazer Burt Club Food Pantry. Collection bins will be available in the lobby at every concert. Help make central Iowa more equitable for everyone through the power of music.

2022-2023 Educational Events

At CMA we believe that learning from today’s greatest musicians will help shape the musicians and engaged citizens of tomorrow.

Spanish Harlem Orchestra workshop with Hoover High School Jazz Band

CMA Scholarships

The Marjorie Spevak Scholarship and The CMA Young Soloist Competition

CMA awards several scholarships to middle school and high school students wishing to further pursue the study of music.

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Learn more about our CMA Studio education programs, scholarship winners and events.

May 8, 2023 in Community, Education

2023 Scholarship & Award Recipients Announced

Congratulations to our 2023 scholarship and award recipients! We're thrilled to offer $8,500 to such worthy winners toward their pursuit of music. Meet the 2023…
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October 20, 2022 in Community, Education

CMA Studio 2022/23 Update

If you’ve been following along with CMA's 97th season so far, then you’ll know it’s been a fun and exciting time between our various events.…
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March 25, 2022 in Community, Education, Our People

The Legacy of Marjorie Spevak

Marjorie Spevak was just four years old in 1925, the year Gertrude Shloss, her mother, joined Elizabeth Cowles and Elsa Neumann in founding Des Moines’s…
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January 28, 2022 in Community, Concert Experience, Education

Exploring Health & Music

CMA is proud to welcome Brooklyn Rider back to Des Moines! The Brooklyn Rider quartet features Johnny Gandelsman & Colin Jacobsen on violin, Nicholas Cords…
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Thank You to our Education Partners!