The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) will add a focused professional studies diploma (PSD) program to its curriculum in the 2019–20 academic year for students wishing to specialize in auxiliary wind instruments. Designed for postgraduate students, the Auxiliary Wind Instrument PSD will act as a “finishing degree” for students proficient with their primary instrument and who want to specialize in an auxiliary instrument.

“We are thrilled to offer this new degree program,” says SFCM Woodwinds Chair Jeff Anderle. “No other school in the US offers a program like this, and the expertise of our faculty is extraordinary. Students will have performance opportunities in our orchestra, new music ensemble, and chamber music programs, as well as coachings and side-by-side performances with wind faculty.”

Students with an orchestral focus will study with the four auxiliary wind players of the San Francisco Symphony (also on faculty at SFCM): Steven Braunstein (contrabassoon), Russ deLuna (English horn), Catherine Payne (piccolo), and Jerome Simas (bass clarinet). Jeff Anderle will oversee the diploma track and will open up a new contemporary music option for bass clarinetists who study with him.

SFCM’s PSD is a one-year postgraduate diploma program designed to offer honed instruction in a specific area of study. PSD programs are available for all instruments, Technology and Applied Composition, and Historical Performance. Other postgraduate programs (beyond the master’s degree) include a postgraduate diploma in vocal performance and an artist certificate in chamber music. A specialized PSD geared toward concertmasters was introduced into the curriculum in the 2017–18 academic year.