CMST (Cornwall Music Service Trust)

What CMST (Cornwall Music Service Trust) does

CMST (Cornwall Music Service Trust) is a registered charitable organisation (Company No. 09268124, Charity No. 1159622) headquartered at Truro School in Cornwall, United Kingdom. Founded in 2015 by Gareth Churcher after Cornwall Council dissolved the predecessor Music Cornwall service, CMST delivers music education, ensemble performance, music therapy and Early Years music programming across the county. The organisation serves as the largest charitable provider of music lessons in Cornwall and teaches the widest range of instruments of any music service in the region, operating with approximately 35 employees and a delivery network spanning primary and secondary schools, after-school music centres, hospitals, care homes, and Early Years settings.

The product portfolio comprises individual and group instrumental/vocal lessons (covering strings, woodwind, brass, guitar, percussion, voice, keyboard and music technology), county-level ensembles and choirs (e.g., Cornwall Youth Wind Orchestra, Cornwall Youth Jazz Orchestra, Cornwall Youth Chamber Choir), the proprietary MusicEL online learning platform (video lessons, backing tracks, practice apps, competitions with prizes, and student community forums for ages 13+), and HCPC-registered music therapy services. Complementary offerings include Classroom Support with CPD for teachers, the Mastering Music Awards (MMA) three-tier pre-grade assessment product priced at £12–£16 per level, grade exam preparation across ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool/Music Medals with a claimed 100% pass rate, and Instrument Hire/Purchase partnerships with Ucan Play, Music Corner and Sound Waves South West.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid fee-and-grant model: per-pupil family subscriptions (£6.25–£25 per lesson depending on format and length), per-hour school contracts (£48/hour from September 2024 across 34–39 weeks), music therapy fees, exam entry fees, and grant/subsidy income (notably Cornwall Council's £56,000 subsidised-lesson budget for Summer Term 2026 and Arts Council England support). Means-tested subsidies (£3–£8.50 per lesson) extend access to children on free school meals, in care, on DLA/PIP, with EHCPs, or from armed forces families. Following the 2026 merger with Cornwall Music Therapy Trust, CMST now delivers the funded Summer Music Education Programme for Cornwall during the transition from Asone Perform CIC's withdrawal as Music Education Hub lead.

Name

CMST (Cornwall Music Service Trust)

Legal name

Cornwall Music Service Trust

Website

https://cmst.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CMST is a Cornish charitable trust delivering music lessons, ensembles, music therapy and Early Years programmes across Cornwall, supported by a proprietary MusicEL online learning platform and serving schools, families, and healthcare settings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Education Services

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Music Lessons (Instrumental) (EDAMANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online / Virtual Music Instruction & Platforms (EDAMANAI), Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal) (EDAMAAAE), Private Voice Lessons (Vocal) (EDAMANAB), Music Education & Practice Software (Ear training, tutors, metronome tools) (MPAIAIAJ), Music Theory, Ear Training & Musicianship (EDAMANAF)

Keywords

• Music education services
• Instrumental music tuition
• Music therapy services
• Early childhood music
• Ensemble music programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Truro

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Instrumental and Vocal Lessons (Families): CMST charges families directly for individual and group instrumental/vocal lessons. Pricing varies by lesson type: group lessons (4 students for 30 min at £6.25 per pupil; 2 students for 20 min at £8.35 per pupil), individual 15-min lessons at £12.50, individual 20-min lessons at £16.70, and individual 30-min lessons at £25.00. Invoices are sent upon confirmation of first lesson and in advance each term. A 6-week notice period is required for cancellation.
2. School Contracts: CMST provides classroom support, whole class instrumental lessons, and school ensembles to educational institutions. Schools are charged at £48 per hour (from September 2024) for curriculum support (39 weeks) and ensemble/first access provision (34-39 weeks). Schools typically pay around half-term point each term.
3. Music Therapy Services: Music therapy sessions provided across Cornwall in various settings including hospitals, mainstream and special schools, children's centres, nurseries, and residential care homes. Fees are listed separately on the music therapy page (current fees available in PDF document). Music therapists are registered with HCPC and supported with professional supervision.
4. Examinations and Awards: CMST facilitates grade examinations through various exam boards including ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool, and Music Medals. Students can also take Mastering Music Awards (MMA) at £12-16 per level. CMST advertises a 100% pass rate for exams.
5. Early Years Programs: Early Years Music Service launched in 2017, providing workshops, CPD sessions for practitioners, and parent engagement programs. First project was funded by Take Art Soundwaves Extra. Services are provided in schools and Early Years settings across Cornwall.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CMST delivers instrumental and vocal music tuition (individual and group lessons across the widest range of instruments in Cornwall), school ensembles and choirs, classroom and curriculum support for schools, HCPC-registered music therapy, and Early Years music programs. The MusicEL proprietary online learning platform supplements in-person teaching with video lessons, backing tracks, competitions, and community forums, while the SpeedAdmin portal handles enrollment, billing, and subsidy administration.

Product overview

CMST (Cornwall Music Service Trust) is a charitable music education organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of services across Cornwall. The core offerings include Music Lessons (individual and group instrumental/vocal tuition), Ensembles & Choirs (county-level performance groups), Early Years Music (early childhood music education), Music Therapy (HCPC-registered therapeutic services), and Classroom Support (school-based programs). These are supported by MusicEL, a proprietary online learning platform providing video lessons, resources, competitions, and student forums; Mastering Music Awards (MMA) as a pre-grade assessment alternative; and Instrument Hire/Purchase programs through partner vendors. The organization also facilitates Grade Exam preparation and provides Subsidies for eligible students through the Cornwall Music Hub.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MusicEL: Online learning platform produced by CMST offering lessons, resources, competitions and community forums for students and schools.

Products and services

• Music Lessons Instrumental and vocal tuition offered as individual lessons (15, 20, or 30 minutes) or group lessons (pairs or groups of 4), covering strings, woodwind, brass, guitar, percussion, voice, keyboard, and music technology. Available to students of all ages across Cornwall.
• MusicEL Online Learning Platform Online learning platform produced by CMST providing video lessons for various instruments and techniques, backing tracks, practice apps and games, online competitions with prizes (studio recordings, music videos), and community forums for students aged 13+. All courses are created by expert teachers and accessible to CMST students 24/7.
• Ensembles and Choirs Ensemble opportunities for young musicians including Cornwall Youth Wind Orchestra, Cornwall Youth Brass Ensemble, Cornwall Youth Jazz Orchestra, Carrick Winds, Cornwall Youth Chamber Choir, Cornwall Junior Choir, and county-level groups such as Sax is Our Business. Ensembles lead to performance opportunities including national festivals.
• Early Years Music Music education service for children from birth through early childhood, featuring workshops, CPD sessions for parents and practitioners, scheme of work for developmental progress, and projects including The Dalla Project in partnership with Arts Council England.
• Music Therapy Therapeutic music services delivered by HCPC-registered music therapists, working with individuals and groups across hospitals, schools, nurseries and care homes. Supports clients with learning disabilities, mental health needs, developmental delay, autistic spectrum conditions, dementia and other conditions.
• Classroom Support School-based services including CPD for teachers, whole class instrumental lessons, music lessons from qualified teachers, and school ensemble support, delivered to Cornwall primary and secondary schools.
• Mastering Music Awards (MMA) Pre-grade music assessments providing accessible introductions to instrumental examinations for beginners, with three levels (Level 1 £12, Level 2 £14, Level 3 £16) assessable in individual or small group settings of 2-4 students. Covers performance, improvisation, music theory and aural skills, administered during regular lessons by independent assessors.
• Instrument Hire and Purchase Programmes Partnership programmes with Ucan Play, Music Corner, and Sound Waves South West providing instrument rental, purchase, and loan schemes for CMST students at preferential rates with quality aftercare.
• Grade Exam Preparation Preparation and entry support for music examinations across multiple exam boards including ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool, and Music Medals, with a claimed 100% pass rate.
• Inclusive Music Music education programmes designed to ensure accessibility for all students with additional needs, coordinated by inclusivity lead Steve Hawker. Includes Music Nurture Groups and supports CMST's mission that music is a medium shared by all.
• Subsidies and Bursaries Financial support programmes for eligible Cornish state-school students including means-tested free school meals subsidies (£6/lesson), children in care (£6/lesson), DLA/PIP recipients (£3/lesson), armed forces families (£3/lesson), and EHC Plan holders (£8.50/lesson, minimum 20-min lesson). Subsidies apply to one instrument per child.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% pass rate on music examinations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arts Council EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2026Arts Council England commissions Music Education Hubs nationally, providing funding for music education services. Arts Council England and the Department for Education announced CMST will deliver a funded Summer Music Education Programme for Summer Term 2026 with Arts Council support.
• Cornwall Music Therapy Trust (CMTT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMST and Cornwall Music Therapy Trust have merged to create a united voice for Music Therapy in Cornwall. The merger enables providers to access funding to meet growing demand and ensure music therapy accessibility for all who need it. CMTT had been subsidising and fully funding music therapy services delivered by CMST through grants and fundraising.
• Asone Music Hub (Asone Perform CIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMST is one of the largest registered providers for the Asone Music Hub, enabling pupils to access subsidies offered through the Hub. Asone Perform CIC is the Music Education Hub Lead Organisation for Cornwall. Asone announced it will relinquish the Hub role from August 2026, with CMST delivering the Summer Term 2026 funded program.
• Ucan PlayminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCMST has partnered with Ucan Play to offer instruments to families at competitive prices with expert advice and quality aftercare. Families select CMST as their 'AIMS hub' when creating a Ucan Play account to access these prices.
• Music CornerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMusic Corner offers instrument hire and purchase programs with a wide range including woodwind and brass families. They offer ONE MONTH FREE HIRE with discount code CMST.
• Sound Waves South WestminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFor young musicians in North and East Cornwall, Sound Waves South West offers instruments free of charge with donations welcome through their Instrument Loan Scheme.
• Cornwall CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMST manages Cornwall Council's subsidised lesson budget of £56,000 for Summer Term 2026. CMST was founded in 2015 after Cornwall Council dissolved the county-run Music Cornwall service.
• Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAll CMST music therapists are registered with and monitored by the HCPC, ensuring professional standards for music therapy services.
• Truro SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMST headquarters is located at Truro School, Trennick Lane. Truro School provides facilities for CMST operations and hosts various CMST events and concerts.
• Bournemouth Symphony OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMST partnered with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra for performances in Saltash, bringing world-class orchestral musicians to Cornwall communities for family concerts and dementia-friendly events.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hampshire Music Service: County-level music education service offering instrumental tuition, ensembles and Whole Class Ensemble Teaching to schools across Hampshire. Directly comparable to CMST in mission, school-contract model and Hub-provider role, but operating at a much larger county scale.
• Kent Music: Charity providing music education across Kent through whole-class teaching, instrumental lessons, ensembles and county youth orchestras. Direct peer in structure, county-wide delivery and family/school customer mix.
• Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust: Charitable trust delivering music lessons, ensembles, performing arts and Hub functions across Northamptonshire. Comparable service portfolio, fee structure and county-wide delivery model.
• Essex Music Service: Charitable music service delivering instrumental and vocal lessons, ensembles and music therapy across Essex. Closely comparable to CMST's school-contract plus family-facing subscription model and Music Hub provider status.
• Warwickshire Music: Charitable music education hub delivering instrumental lessons, ensembles, early years and music therapy in Warwickshire. Same charitable trust structure, county-wide footprint and service portfolio as CMST.
• Lincolnshire Music Service: County music service offering instrumental tuition, ensembles, music therapy and Hub-style school support across Lincolnshire. Highly comparable operating model to CMST including therapy and school partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Music Mark: UK subject association for music education, representing Hub lead organisations and music services including CMST. Industry body rather than competitor; comparable as a peer in the same music-education ecosystem.

Others

• Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO): Strategic partner of CMST delivering family concerts and dementia-friendly events in Cornwall. Adjacent cultural-sector peer sharing CMST's community outreach and inclusive-music mission in the South West.
• ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music): Major UK music examination board (ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool, Music Medals are all referenced by CMST). Adjacent ecosystem participant that CMST prepares students for, rather than a competitor.

Regional players

• Tri-borough Music Hub: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea / Westminster / Hammersmith & Fulham Music Education Hub delivering instrumental tuition, ensembles and school partnerships in central London. Comparable Hub delivery role but in a denser, urban market rather than rural Cornwall.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EYMusEdCMST
• Facebookfacebook.com/CMSTEarlyYearsMusic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cornwall-music-service-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CMST (Cornwall Music Service Trust)