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: 6:30-8:00 PM (PT) on Tuesdays from March 4 through to May 27, 2025 (no class March 25)
Recital: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Location: In-Person at SFCM
Cost: $525
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 beginning September 3. We will be preparing a program of mixed styles and genres for a public performance on November 19. 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
.
Instructor: Scott Cmiel
Dates: 4:30-6:00 PM (PT) on Saturdays from January 11 through to March 22, 2025
Recital: Saturday, March 22, 2024 at 5:00 PM in Cha Chi Ming Recital Hall
Location: In-person at SFCM
Cost: $475
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
Instructor: Arjun K. Verma
Dates: 6:30 - 8:00 PM (PT) on Thursdays from March 20 through to May 8, 2025
Location: In-person at SFCM
Cost: $450
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.
Instructor: Mauricio Rodriguez, DMA
Dates: 7:00-8:30 PM (PT) on Wednesdays from February 12 through to April 16, 2025
Location: Synchronous Online
Cost: $425
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 January 29 through to April 9, 2025 (no class on March 26)
Recital: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM in Sol Joseph Recital Hall
Location: In-person at SFCM
Cost: $475
"Lavender Field", "Sea Turtle", "Blue Planet"...enter the world of Karen Tanaka, the composer of some of today's most appealing and unique contemporary music.
Prepare your chosen Tanaka work before Class 1 and be ready to receive coaching, learn from your colleagues, and discover what makes Tanaka's music special.
Classes 1 - 5 will combine illustrations of various elements of Tanaka's works (modes, rhythm, program music, minimalism, etc.) and coaching of pianists' chosen Tanaka solo. Solos should be completed before Class 6.
Classes 6 - 7 will focus on performance preparation.
Class 8 - Performance on March 19
Class 9 - 10 - Begin work on new repertoire.
It is helpful if pianists are familiar with major and minor keys, triads and seventh chords, and key signatures. Limited to 8 pianists.
Repertoire suggestions: "Children of Light" (25 pieces, Beginning to Intermediate), "Zoo in the Sky" (20 pieces, Beginning to Intermediate), "Water Dance" (Intermediate to Advanced), "Crystalline I" (Advanced), "Techno Etudes" (Advanced)
Instructor: Jacqueline Chew
Dates: 6:00-7:30 PM (PT) on Tuesdays from February 4 through to April 15, 2025 (no class on March 25)
Location: Synchronous Online
Cost: $475
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 before Class 6.
Classes 6 - 7 will focus on performance preparation.
Class 8 - Online Performance April 1.
Class 9 - 10 - Begin work on new repertoire.
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 January 29 through to April 9 (no class March 26)
Recital: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM in Sol Joseph Recital Hall
Location: In-Person at SFCM
Cost: $475
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 before Class 6.
Class 6-7 will focus on performance preparation
Class 8 - Performance on March 19
Class 9-10 will focus on performance preparation
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 February 12 through to April 30, 2025 (no class on March 19)
Recital: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 7:30pm in Cha Chi Ming Recital Hall
Location: In-person at SFCM
Cost: $625
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 February 11 through to April 29, 2025 (no class on March 18)
Recital: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 7:30pm in Cha Chi Ming Recital Hall
Location: In-person at SFCM
Cost: $625
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.
Instructor: Krista Wigle
Dates: 7:00-8:30 PM on Thursdays from February 13 through to May 1 (no class on March 20)
Recital: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 7:30pm in Cha Chi Ming Recital Hall
Location: In-person at SFCM
Cost: $625
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 per section.
