As a soccer fan might say, "the beautiful game" opened with beautiful music when Mario To performed the national anthem at a recent Oakland Roots SC game. 

It was a thrilling undertaking for To, who had never played at such a large venue, Oakland Coliseum can seat some 63,000 fans in total. "The echo of the Coliseum is enormous and it took me a while to get used to it," To said. "But it was still exciting and I felt extremely welcomed by the audience," he added. 

Mario To, ('24).

To, who graduated in 2024, performed his own rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" for solo classical guitar. "I've been trying to establish myself as a guitarist-composer," To said, "and my teacher Meng Su, and the other faculty, David Tanenbaum, and Marc Teicholz, generously supported and encouraged my creative endeavors throughout my years at SFCM."  He performed his rendition of the national anthem at the July 26 game as the Oakland Roots took on the Orange County SC, adding that it was "truly the warmest reception I've ever experienced!"

Performance opportunities like this for SFCM students and alumni through Hire SFCM come often and in exciting ways. Earlier this year SFCM students formed a "video game orchestra" performing at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, while other Hire SFCM performances have included high-profile artists like SFJAZZ Collective Music Director Chris Potter, the Kronos Quartet, and All-Elite Wrestling, the nation's second-largest professional wrestling organization. In 2023, Hire SFCM performances paid out over $100,000 to SFCM students. Hire SFCM engages current students as well as recent grads who stay in the Bay Area for opportunities. 

Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, CA.

Mario To is not alone in recent exciting performances for graduates. Violinist Rose Crelli (‘22) performed the national anthem at the debut Golden State Valkyries game, the first San Francisco team in the Women's National Basketball Association, calling the experience "surreal!" 

For To, while this may have been his first ever soccer game, it most certainly won't be his last time performing at such an exciting venue. "Playing the national anthem at a major sporting event had always been a dream of mine," To continued. "It was the thorough training and supportive environment at SFCM that shaped me into who I am, and that made this happen." 

Learn more about Hire SFCM.
Learn more about studying Guitar at SFCM.