At SFCM, we encourage collaboration and conversation, sparking the artistic and intellectual engines that make learning worthwhile and engaging. Discover your talent and feed your mind through our Continuing Education classes!
Registration for Spring 2025 is now open!
A non-refundable $25 registration fee will be charged once per semester.
Instructor: Christian Paarup
Dates: 6:30-8:30 PM (PT) on Mondays from June 23 through to August 25, 2025
Recital: Monday, August 25, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Location: In-Person at SFCM
Cost: $575
The Low Brass Choir ensemble is open to adult trombone, euphonium, and tuba players who are eager to play in a chamber music setting with fellow brass players in the community. No audition required. Rehearsals will be held weekly on Tuesday evenings. The ensemble will prepare a program of mixed styles and genres for a public performance. The program will be determined based on enrollment and ability levels. This ensemble is intended to be a relaxed, fun environment with repertoire that will be appropriately challenging for everyone!
Please contact Christian Paarup with any questions at
pcnnehc@fspz.rqhude.mcfs@puraapc
.
Registration will open in Fall 2025!
The SFCM Guitar Community Ensemble consists of guitarists interested in performing ensemble works in a wide range of musical styles from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern periods. Under the direction of Scott Cmiel, the guitar ensemble will prepare for a performance at the end of the semester.
Each member will be assigned one of four parts and play together in a section with others playing the same part. We want players of all levels to be able to participate so while some members will play difficult music others will have their parts adjusted so they can play beautifully and with an expressive interpretation. Everyone is asked to learn their part before each meeting so during rehearsal we can work on the interpretation of each piece.
There is no need to be a virtuoso - good tone, good memory, and enthusiastic attitude are all that’s required.
If you have any questions about the orchestra please contact Scott Cmiel at fpbgg.pzvry@fspz.rqhude.mcfs@leimc.ttocs
Registration will open in Fall 2025!
Explore the rich world of North Indian Classical Music through repertoire based in traditional raga (melody form) and tala (rhythm cycle). The beautiful compositions of Ali Akbar Khan will be the focus of the class, in additional to specialized training exercises to strengthen the basic skills of melody, rhythm, phrasing, and ornamentation.
Open to all instrumentalists with basic playing ability. Students also have the option to rent a sitar or sarode.
Offered in partnership with the Ali Akbar College of Music. Learn more about the Ali Akbar College of Music.
Registration will open in Fall 2025!
Harmony is often thought of as the 'backbone' of tonal music. In this course, you will learn the principles to create amazing chord progressions and will understand the difference between diatonic, chromatic, and mode mixture harmonies. You will explore how to voice harmonies and apply different harmonic patterns to compose your own music, to improvise, or to write new harmonization of your favorite tunes.
Students are expected to achieve the following goals at the end of this course:
All the materials for the course will be provided by the instructor in the form of PDFs that include lecture materials, practical activities, and assignments. PDFs will be shared over email one week before each session. Students are encouraged to print these materials ahead of time to make annotations and follow in-class activities.
The following book is not required but recommended:
Mauricio Rodriguez Scales, Chords, and Harmonic Progressions (Punctum, 2020)
Instructor: Jacqueline Chew
Dates: 7:00-8:30 PM on Wednesdays from June 18 through to August 13, 2025 (no class on July 9)
Recital: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM in Sol Joseph Recital Hall
Location: In-person at SFCM
Explore the life of Chopin and what made his compositions uniquely his and beloved by so many. Choose your favorite Chopin work, join the workshop, and participate in an informal "Chopiniana" Salon, as well as public performance.
Classes 1 - 5 will be devoted to repertoire analysis and practice techniques. Selection of piece should preceded the first class and be complete at Class 5.
Classes 6 will focus on performance preparation.
Class 7 will be an in-class, informal "Chopiniana" Salon.
Class 8 - Performance on August 13
Limited to 8 pianists.
Suggested Chopin repertoire:
Short works - Waltz in A Minor, Prelude in E Minor, Prelude in B Minor
Medium length works - Mazurka in A Minor, Op. 68, No. 2, Mazurka Op. 33, No. 3, Nocturne in C Minor, Op. Posth., Nocturne in E Minor, Op. 72, No. 1
Longer works - Fantaisie Impromptu, Ballades, Etudes
Instructor: Jacqueline Chew
Dates: 6:00-7:30 PM (PT) on Thursdays from July 3 through to August 28, 2025 (no class on July 10)
Location: Synchronous Online
Pianists will work on repertoire of their choice. Selection of piece should precede the first class.
Classes 1 - 5 will be devoted to repertoire analysis and practice techniques. Solos should be completed at this time.
Classes 6 - 7 will focus on performance preparation.
Class 8 - Online Performance August 28.
It is helpful if pianists are familiar with major and minor keys, triads and seventh chords, and key signatures. Students must have access to a personal keyboard or piano during online classes. To enable musical keyboard tone over the internet, an external microphone is recommended. Limited to 6 pianists.
Repertoire level: Bach Two-part Inventions, classical sonatinas, Chopin Waltzes etc.
Instructor: Jacqueline Chew
Dates: 5:30-7:00 PM on Wednesdays from June 18 through to August 13 (no class July 9)
Recital: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM in Sol Joseph Recital Hall
Location: In-Person at SFCM
Pianists will work on repertoire of their choice. Selection of piece should precede the first class.
Classes 1–5 will be devoted to repertoire analysis and practice techniques. Solos should be completed by class 5.
Class 6-7 will focus on performance preparation
Class 8 - Performance on August 13.
It is helpful if pianists are familiar with major and minor keys, triads and seventh chords, and key signatures. Limited to 6 pianists.
Repertoire level: Bach Two-part Inventions, classical sonatinas, Chopin Waltzes etc.
Instructor: Krista Wigle
Dates: 7:00-8:30 PM on Wednesdays from June 18 through to August 6, 2025
Recital: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 7:30pm in Sol Joseph Recital Hall
Location: In-person at SFCM
With a live pianist, you will work on improving your singing and performance skills in the art of Musical Theater. We will work on vocal technique, acting and expression, stagecraft, character work, and musicality. Students should be prepared to perform each class (memorization preferred) and can choose to work on one or more songs throughout the entire session.
An SFCM pianist will be available to accompany at all in-person classes and culminates in a live performance in the SFCM Recital Hall.
This class is available only to amateurs and semi-professional students with singing experience.
Enrollment is limited to 10 students.
Instructor: Krista Wigle
Dates: 7:00-8:30 PM on Tuesdays from June 17 through to August 5, 2025
Recital: Wednesday, August 5, 2025 at 7:30pm in Sol Joseph Recital Hall
Location: In-person at SFCM
This class explores the many performance aspects of vocal music in a supportive and positive atmosphere. The emphasis is on opera and art song, but other genres are welcome. We work on expression, language, technique, stagecraft, drama, text, and many other aspects of this incredible art form. Students should be prepared to perform each class (memorization preferred) and can choose to work on one or more songs throughout the entire session. An SFCM pianist will be available to accompany at all in-person classes. The session culminates in a live performance in the SFCM Recital Hall. This class is available only to amateurs and semi-professional students with singing experience: at least 3 years of private lessons are required.
Enrollment is limited to 10 students.
