Ellsworth music school hosts first concert at new location

School’s assistance program allows for 75 percent off tuition

Sept. 29, 2026

By Lydia Hart

Musician, Tyler Michael James, plays the cello at the music school’s new location. Photo by Lydia Hart.

ELLSWORTH — Field Note Music School, formerly known as the Ellsworth Community Music Institute, has relocated to 6 State Street to increase visibility and accommodate the area's growing interest in its music lessons.

“We had almost as large of a waitlist as we did a student body,” Peter van Reesema, director of Field Note Music School, said.

The new location includes four soundproof practice spaces and a performance area. This new space, van Reesema said, offers more lessons, hires more teachers, hosts smaller concerts, and creates more unique opportunities for aspiring musicians in the area.

Beyond increasing the school's lesson capacity, Field Note is also expanding its range of classes.

For the last 14 years, the school largely offered classical music lessons. This year, the school has begun offering lessons in electric guitar, electric bass, drums, saxophone and songwriting.

“We were a classical music school for many, many years. Then this year we started branching out just from what the community asked for,” van Reesema said.

One characteristic that sets the school apart is its tuition assistance program for attendees. 

“We have a really robust tuition assistance program, which is just 75 percent off, no questions asked,” van Reesema said. 

As the space continues to transform, Field Note will host more concerts in its downtown location.

“I’m really excited to use the space as a concert venue, and to have another space downtown,” said van Reesema. “We have the capacity to record and do video for everybody too. We’re hoping to make our own little tiny desk in Ellsworth.”

Ticket proceeds go directly to funding their tuition assistance program. Anyone enrolled in a music lesson through Field Note is eligible for tuition assistance.

Field Note will also continue to host concerts at the Moore Community Center, where the school was formerly located. The Midday Concert series will take place on Fridays at 1 p.m., and the shows can feature everyone from Grammy Award-winning pianist Paul Sullivan to the Baroque Orchestra of Maine.

“I want everyone to have access to it, and there to be no barrier on what they're able to achieve...or have access to,” said van Reesema. “I see music as a civic right and that we should all have access to it.”