CMS, an outreach division of the MSU College of Music, provides music lessons to students of all ages.

“At first when I started playing, I was really nervous,” Surian said.

“I was really proud because I didn’t make any mistakes. I practiced a lot and I’ve been working on this piece for a really long time.”

The recital was the first for many students, including Surian, who played a piano piece called “Somethin’ Spicy.” Students also played selections by Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Lucio Vivaldi and Johannes Brahms.

The musicians ranged in age from 5 to 17 years old, said Susanne Garber, a CMS instructor. Garber has taught at CMS for 10 years and has about 38 students.

“The Community Music School has monthly All-School Recitals where any student can play a piece they’ve prepared,” Garber said. “They get positive feedback. The applause, approval, everything says they’re on the right track and that encourages them to work hard and play more.”

CMS instructor Deb Pajtas said CMS has more than 1,000 students and was established in 1993.

“(The recital) gives the students a chance to present what they’ve worked on and a chance to learn who they are as well,” Pajtas said. “They learn how to cope with stress and produce beautiful music and to enjoy that part of it.”

Catherine Surian’s mother, Rebecca Surian, said she has enjoyed having her daughter involved in CMS.

“I’ve been very impressed with the Community Music School and the offerings they provide to our community to learn to play an instrument,” Rebecca Surian said.

Garber said recitals are helpful because it is inspiring for younger students to hear older children play.

“It was really cool to see the older kids play,” Catherine Surian said. “They were really good and I hope to be like that some day.”