Welcome New and Returning Families

Welcome to Scrollworks! Fall 2026 will be our second semester at Brewster Road Community Church.

Scrollworks is a community music program offering group-based instruction, ensembles, and creative music-making for young musicians ages 8–18. No prior experience is required for beginners, and loaned instruments are included with tuition when available.

Scrollworks is an approved education service provider for Alabama CHOOSE.

Fall 2026 registration opens on August 1 and closes on August 19.

Please read this page carefully before registering. Registration links are at the bottom of the page. The information you provide will help us place your student at the appropriate level.

Sign up for our newsletter for registration updates.

Click here to email your question (question@myorch.org)

Fall 2026 At-a-Glance

Location:

Classes meet at Brewster Road Community Church, 1661 Brewster Road, Birmingham, AL 35235. Some map apps may still show or suggest our former location at St. Paul UMC, so please double-check the address before you leave. We are working with Google to correct the listing.

Class Day & Time:

All classes meet on Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

The semester includes 12 instructional Saturdays, with the fall concert held on the afternoon of the final lesson day.

Classes meet for 30 or 60 minutes, depending on the activity.

Intermediate and early advanced string and wind students attend two hours weekly (group lesson + ensemble).

For full semester calendar, click here or check the Google calendar at the bottom of the home page.

Tuition & Fees (Fall 2026)

Tuition for instrument study includes a loaned instrument, when available, and a method book or sheet music.

Beginning violin or string bass:  $200 ~ Fall 2026 introductory rate ~

Beginner Cello, Winds, Mallet Percussion: $250

Guitar: $200

Piano: $300

Intermediate & Early Advanced Strings & Winds: $300
Includes a group lesson plus ensemble participation

Theater & Performance Skills: $100

Percussion Ensemble (Intermediate & Early Advanced): $100

Community Performance Ensemble: $50

Music Theory: $25

Creative Music Lab: $25

Recorder Ensemble: $25

The introductory rate applies to students who are new to violin or string bass for Fall 2026. Current Scrollworks students may also receive this rate when adding one of these instruments, as scheduling allows.

Nelken Line Leader Training — Free
Enrolled students may register to learn the movements of the Nelken Line and help lead the audience during our December 5 concert. Participants must attend the November 21 training and the December 5 rehearsal and concert. Advance registration is required. Space may be limited.

Learn more about the Nelken Line Project.

Before You Register

Select the instrument or activity your student would most like to study. Final placement and class times will depend on the student’s experience, enrollment, instructor availability, and the overall schedule. Some activities require prior experience or teacher approval.

Choosing the Correct Level
Beginner
For students with no more than one semester of instruction on the instrument. Beginner tuition includes a weekly group lesson, appropriate music, and use of a loaned instrument when available.

Intermediate
For students with at least two semesters of instruction on the instrument. Intermediate string and wind students attend a weekly group lesson and an ensemble or orchestra rehearsal. Other activities are structured as described below.

Early Advanced
For students with at least four semesters of instruction on the instrument. Early advanced string and wind students attend a weekly group lesson and an ensemble or orchestra rehearsal. Other activities are structured as described below.

Choose the level that seems to fit your student best. We will review the selection with the appropriate teacher and contact you if a different placement is recommended.

Instruments and Activities
Strings & Winds
Beginner, intermediate, and early advanced instruction is available. Intermediate and early advanced students participate in both a group lesson and an ensemble.
(An introductory rate is available to beginning violin & string bass students for Fall 2026.)

Mallet Percussion
Beginning students participate in a one-hour group class. Students with intermediate or early advanced percussion experience participate in a one-hour percussion ensemble. Placement will be based on prior experience.

Piano and Guitar
Group instruction is available at appropriate levels, subject to enrollment and teacher availability.

Theater & Performance Skills
Develops stage presence, expression, movement, speaking, and confidence before an audience.

Community Performance Ensemble
A 30-minute ensemble for students preparing music for performances in the community.

Music Theory
Placement will be based on whether the student has previously studied music theory as a separate subject and how far they progressed.

Creative Music Lab
A composition class in which students create and develop their own music. The student should be at an intermediate level or above on their primary instrument.

Recorder Ensemble
By invitation. Students who have participated previously remain eligible and do not need a new invitation.

Registration Open House — August 15, 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Families may register in person and receive help choosing the appropriate options on the registration form. New students who are unsure which instrument to choose may try available instruments in our instrument petting zoo. String students may be sized for a loaned violin, cello, or bass, and returning students may bring their instruments for inspection and minor repairs.  

Instrument Loans
Loaned instruments are included with tuition when available. Availability varies by instrument and size, and we cannot guarantee that every student will receive their first-choice instrument. Students who already own or rent a suitable instrument may use it.

Loaned instruments may be used in a school music program as long as the student remains actively enrolled in Scrollworks.

After You Register
You will receive an automatic confirmation after submitting the registration form. We will review your selections and contact you if we recommend a different placement or cannot accommodate a requested activity.

Final class times will be assigned after registration closes on August 19. Each family will receive a personalized schedule before the first day of classes on August 22.

If Scrollworks cannot provide an activity for which you have paid, the payment for that activity will be refunded.

Choose the correct registration form

Use the Regular Registration Form if you will pay tuition by credit or debit card when registering.

Use the Alabama CHOOSE & Tuition Assistance Form if:

• You plan to pay through Alabama CHOOSE, or

• You cannot pay the full tuition and would like information about possible tuition assistance.

No payment is required when submitting the Alabama CHOOSE & Tuition Assistance Form. Tuition assistance is limited and is not guaranteed, but completing this form provides the student information we need to discuss available options with you.