SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 UPDATE:
Our Center for Music programming starts on Wednesday, September 9th -- are you returning to campus for lessons?  Learn how to safely enter the building for your lessons/rehearsals at our University Circle and Ohio City campuses. Don't forget to register and we'll see you on campus soon!

Virtual lessons and distance programming options are also available. Click here for more information.

AUGUST 14, 2020 UPDATE: 
We are excited to welcome you back to our campuses this fall!  Due to the pandemic, re-entry into our facilities requires compliance with our updated policies and procedures. Each of our Centers and BOP STOP have varying plans for re-opening, as well as specific protocols for their in-person programming.  We will continue to share all updates and details as they become available. At this time, we have the following to share:

CENTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD re-opened in University Circle only on June 15th to limited capacity. On August 17th, Early Childhood will begin fall programming at both our University Circle and Ohio City campuses.

Prior to the COVID19 outbreak, we facilitated high quality care and education to each family. That will continue, though our methods and policies may have changed, TMS is still a person first, play based creative arts program. Many “Best Practices” are methods that we have always employed and expected. Cleaning and hand washing will be done more frequently.  We do not take the responsibility lightly and will continue to love, teach and nurture your child every day.

Key Points:

• University Circle & Ohio City campuses are open for in-person instruction.
• Each classroom has a maximum of nine (9) students per room.
• Kindergarten is offered in University Circle only.
• At this time, parents are not permitted into the building, after the initial gradual entry schedule.  
• Each room functions individually. Blending with other rooms is rare and aligns to state requirements.
• Adults will be wearing masks at all times in the building; children are not required to wear masks, except Kindergarten.
• We will have a daily health screening for ALL students and staff.
• Hand sanitizer is acceptable for use with children.  We will be vigilant with hand washing, and using hand sanitizer when washing is not available.
• All Field trips are canceled.
• We will work with local Health Dept. to identify potentially infected or exposed individuals to facilitate effective contact tracing/notifications.

Here are the new regulations that shape the routines of the day:

• Ohio Department of Health resource-  https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/Sector-fact-sheet-8-Child-Care.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0zImfA2wCbptI2wEzxXxYyVYos7DdvZgqINAaLiT_gf_mZl-wJgGaD1m
• Childcare Restart Practices- https://jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/docs/Child-Care-Rule-vs-Best-Practice.pdf

CENTER FOR MUSIC will re-open at both University Circle and Ohio City campuses on September 9th. All Center for Music students and families who wish to return to in-person activities must read and comply with the CFM COVID-19 Student Policies & Procedures document. 

CENTER FOR MUSIC THERAPY is conducting individual in-person sessions at our University Circle campus for existing clients only. Remote/online programming is being offered to the general public. Click here for options. 

BOP STOP is not open for in-person performances, however, BOP STOP has a robust schedule of live streaming performances which you can view here.  BOP STOP is also available to rent for private concerts, recording space, rehearsals, and more. If interested in renting BOP STOP, please email BOP STOP Director, Gabe Pollack, at gpollack@themusicsettlement.org.

AUGUST 3, 2020 UPDATE:
Our Center for Music has released a letter addressing questions regarding the upcoming 2020 - 2021 school year.  Click here to read the letter.

JUNE 3, 2020 UPDATE:
Our Center for Early Childhood has updated its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

MAY 29, 2020 UPDATE: 
In-person programs and services of our three Centers and Bop Stop performance venue at The Music Settlement’s (TMS) facilities remain suspended as follows:

Center for Music: closed through August 30, 2020 (University Circle and Ohio City campuses)

Center for Early Childhood: closed until June 15 (University Circle campus only; Ohio City campus remains closed until further notice)

Center for Music Therapy: closed through at least July 13, 2020

Bop Stop: closed until at least July 10, 2020

Administrative staff is working remotely, however, and available Monday – Friday from 9am to 5pm to answer your questions.  Online/remote programming continues.

MAY 28, 2020 UPDATE: 
Our Center for Music has released a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, which addresses summer private lessons and our new virtual summer camps. Please refer to their document for answers to your questions.

Click here to learn more information about TMS Virtual Summer Camps. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

APRIL 29, 2020 UPDATE: 

TMS has extended the closure date of our campuses, as well as the suspension period of our in-person/on-campus programs and services. Programs and services of our Centers for Music and Early Childhood are suspended through the month of May; Center for Music Therapy in-person sessions are currently suspended through May 17th and any changes beyond that date will be shared prior to May 17th; Bop Stop is currently closed through May 27th. Please refer to the updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from each of our Centers and Bop Stop. 

APRIL 27, 2020 UPDATE: 

Until further details are outlined by Governor DeWine, TMS campuses will remain closed at least through the month of May. Online/remote programming will continue. 

APRIL 2, 2020 UPDATE:

In response to the latest COVID-19 update from Governor DeWine extending the stay-at-home order, as well as the K-12 schools and daycare centers closures, TMS has extended our building closure and the suspension of our programs and services through May 1, 2020. Please refer to our updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section for Center-specific questions (the right-hand side of this page when viewing from computer or tablet; scroll down when viewing on mobile). 

MARCH 25, 2020 UPDATE: 

In an effort to address the many questions that have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section on our site (the right-hand side of this page when viewing from computer or tablet; scroll down when viewing on mobile). These FAQs have also been emailed to our various constituents. Please contact us if any questions still remain. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we do our best to serve our community. 

MARCH 23, 2020 UPDATE: 

     Click here to view today's letter from TMS President & CEO Geri Presti announcing the latest news stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter provides more details related to our building closure and suspension of all programs and services (currently effective until April 6th for TMS and April 11th for the BOP STOP), as well as our recently instituted remote work plans for administrative staff. 

MARCH 13, 2020 UPDATE: 

     The Music Settlement (TMS) is working around the clock to ensure the health and safety of our customers, employees and community during this current COVID-19 public health concern. We are assessing our policies and practices on an ongoing basis, remaining proactive and thoughtful, most particularly in considering the health and safety of our constituents.
     On Thursday, March 12th, Governor DeWine mandated that all K-12 schools in Ohio, both public and private, close for a three-week Spring Break from March 16 - April 3, 2020 to slow the spread of COVID-19. While TMS does not explicitly fall under the state’s order, this precipitates a staffing challenge in Early Childhood to maintain appropriate teacher: student ratios in all classrooms.
     Therefore, TMS, with Board approval, has made the difficult but socially responsible decision to close, effective Friday, March 13, 2020 at 7:00pm. At this time, we plan to re-open Monday, April 6th; however, as this is a continuously evolving situation, TMS’s re-opening date may change.
     Specific details for each of our Centers and BOP STOP related to this closing are outlined below. Again, this is a continually evolving situation; we will communicate updates as they become available. 

BOP STOP:

• BOP STOP is closed from Friday 3/13 through 4/30.
• Please check the web calendar for updated show information for events after 4/30. If a show is posted then it has not been canceled, On evenings with no event listed the BOP STOP is closed. TMS Calendar of Events
• If you purchased a ticket to a show that has been canceled you will receive an email from BOP STOP advising how to obtain a refund or donate your ticket purchase. Please be patient with us as over thirty events have been canceled.
• Questions or concerns may be directed to Gabe Pollack, BOP STOP Director at gpollack@themusicsettlement.org or 216.771.6551.

Center for Music:

• All courses/programs are suspended Saturday, March 14th through Saturday, April 4th, including Groups, Ensembles, Private Lessons, Classes, Immersive programs
• All programs are currently scheduled to resume Monday, April 6, 2020
• Make-up Schedule: with the increased volume of make-ups due to this closing, we will extend the private lesson make-up period to August 30, 2020 for all programs/courses
• Events: effective Friday, March 13, 2020, all Center for Music events are cancelled through April 6, 2020.  This includes, but is not limited to, recitals, concerts, master classes, workshops, and visiting guest artists
• Private lesson instruction: TMS is working with its private lesson faculty to explore the possibility of providing distance-learning lessons as an alternative. While not ideal, it may be an option, in some instances, to continue instruction during this unexpected break, should it be possible and agreed upon by all parties
• Music outreach programs: in observance of the mandatory school shutdown by Governor DeWine, all programs at public and private schools will cease from March 17 through April 4 (or longer, should the state shutdown period be extended)
• Questions or concerns may be directed to Matt Charboneau, Chair for the Center for Music at mcharboneau@themusicsettlement.org or 216.421.5806 ext. 180

Center for Early Childhood: 

• All programming, except Kindergarten, (Day School, Preschool, Arts for the Young classes) is suspended Saturday, March 14, 2020 through Saturday, April 4, 2020
• STEM programs are suspended until April 4th
• Kindergarten will provide remote instruction to its students the weeks of March 16th and March 30th (the week of March 23rd is the originally scheduled Spring Break)

Center for Music Therapy

• Several outreach agency partners have confirmed cancellations with TMS and will not receive music therapy services throughout the month of March. For a full list of cancelled agency partners, please contact the Center for Music Therapy Administrative Assistant, Britteny Cyphers at 216.421.5806 ext. 104 or bcyphers@themusicsettlement.org 
• Updated 3/23/20: All Center for Music Therapy on-site sessions have been suspended. 
• TMS is extending its courtesy make-up period for rescheduled sessions to August 30, 2020
• Arts for Us programs are cancelled until further notice      
• Questions or concerns may be directed to Anne Reed, Interim Chair for the Center for Music Therapy at areed@themusicsettlement.org or 216.421.5806 ext. 246