Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about PMA.

Contact us at office@piedmont-music.com if you need more information.

Home schooled students from North and South Carolina may participate in the music academy.  Acceptance for non-homeschool students will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

  • BOC: Beginning Band at least 9 years old.
  • SOC Private Lesson students will be considered for lessons beginning at age 3 for violin & viola, and age 5 for cello, and age 12 for bass.
  • VOC Elementary Choir: 3 – 5th grade
  • VOC Middle School Choir: 6 – 8th grade
  • VOC H.S. Choir (The Notables): 9 – 12th grade
  • (See Music Theory classes for specific ages.)

Piedmont Music Academy would like for all children interested in music to have an opportunity. To help make this possible we offer the following:

  • VOC/BOC/SOC Primary Ensembles: Multi-child discounts for children within the same family: $150 first child/class, $125 second child/class, $100 third child/class and beyond…per semester.
  • Private Lesson String student tuition can not be discounted due to the private instruction component of the classes. A Private Lesson student may count as the first child, where subsequent children may be discounted if they are in Band or an upper level string ensemble.

  • UNAM, Handbell Choir, Music Theory, and Jazz Band classes do not receive discounts.

  • Use a payment plan to pay tuition over the course of the semester. You must inquire about this option – it is not automatic.
  • Possible partial tuition assistance for special circumstances. Each request will be reviewed by the Program Director on a case-by-case basis.

PMA will accept instrumentation found in a traditional wind band setting: flute, clarinet, saxophone (alto, tenor, and bari), oboe, bassoon, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion.

View the US Army Field Band video to learn more about each of the above instruments.

PMA will accept violins, violas, cellos and string basses in our string orchestra.

View the Philadelphia Orchestra string players as they demonstrate the different stringed instruments.

ABSOLUTELY! We will have a Christmas Concert (December) and a Spring Concert (May), plus additional performance opportunities in the greater York County community.

Unfortunately we do not sell instruments. We do have select band instruments to rent for a reasonable fee per semester. Please contact us to see what the availability is. We will do our very best to guide you in the purchase or rental of your child’s instrument.

Food for thought…  consider checking with relatives that may have an instrument (“treasure”) hidden away in an attic or closet. If the instrument has not been used for a number of years, it will likely need to be cleaned and possibly adjusted by a professional repair technician. (Please ask for an estimate before allowing the repair technician to do anything to your instrument. If the repairs are extensive, you may be better off purchasing/renting a new or used one.)

Ultimately, yes. However, students may be more successful on one particular instrument vs. another based on physical size, dental construction, etc. Please consider coming to our Instrument Petting Zoo in August. PMA music instructors will be there to provide guidance in what the best fit for your child may be. Additionally, our Directors try to make certain that the different ensembles are well balanced with instrumentation.

We ask that you please contact us for guidance in the selection of your beginning student’s instrument…come visit our Instrument Petting Zoo! Every effort will be made to pick an instrument for your child that he/she will be successful with and love to play!