SFCM Launches Transformations Series: Orchestra Concert (Feb. 20 and 21) and Guitar Recital (Feb. 29)

Master Classes: Violinist Pinchas Zukerman (Feb. 13), Guitarist Julian Lage (Feb. 4), Clarinetist Frank Cohen (Feb 5), Baroque Oboist Debra Nagy (Feb. 22), Pianist and Vocal Coach Martin Katz (Feb. 24)

Alumni Artist Insights Series: One Great City Guitar Duo (Feb. 6)

Chamber Music Series: Takács Quartet Master Class (Feb. 22) and the Thalea String Quartet (Feb. 23)

Concerto Competitions and Student Recitals Open to the Public

During a month when movie stars accept golden awards and football players are crowned best-in-the-league, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music also honors extraordinary talent, from adventurous composers to emerging concert soloists. In February, SFCM launches a new concert series exploring composers famous for their musical adaptations. In addition, renowned artists present master classes and exciting chamber music performances abound. All events take place at 50 Oak Street in San Francisco and most are free. Ticketing and performance details can be found at calendar.sfcm.edu.

Composers have long appreciated the virtues of recycling. SFCM's fascinating Transformations series explores those who have used existing music to create something new through arrangements or transcriptions. Concerts connect directly to SFCM's academic curriculum, with student performers examining musical transcription from different perspectives in the classroom this spring. Transformations features the Conservatory Orchestra on Saturday, February 20 at 8 p.m.and Sunday, February 21 at 2 p.m. performing Richard Strauss' Death and Transfiguration and Luciano Berio's Rendering (which takes as its structure the fragmentary score of Franz Schubert's uncompleted D Major symphony). SFCM faculty member and San Francisco Symphony lecturer Scott Foglesong '77 provides commentary. On Monday, February 29 at 8 p.m., guitar students present "'Round Midnight," a free concert of works by Thelonius Monk and Hector Villa-Lobos in arrangements by faculty guitarist Sérgio Assad and Roland Dyens. Visit sfcm.edu/performances for tickets and details.

Read the full press release here.