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Technology and Applied Composition sony

How SFCM's TAC-Sony Partnership Gets Grads Jobs

Every semester, the Technology and Applied Composition (TAC) Department's Sony Project tasks students with creating a score for a proposed video game. Once the writing is done, students see their projects recorded in SFCM's flagship Studio G by their …

Composition pre-college

Pre-College Faculty and Alum Premieres Choral Work with Students

At SFCM, students don't only get to hear their professors' new works: They get to premiere them. For Pre-College faculty (and Composition alum) Michael Kaulkin's students, this chance came in April, with the performance of Kaulkin's "Most This Amazing," a …

commencement

'You Must Live as Art Itself:' SFCM Celebrates the Class of 2026

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, SFCM started the party a little earlier, conferring 158 degrees and bidding a fond farewell to its Class of 2026. "I want each of you to know how honored I am to be the first person who gets to say …

Flute flute

'22 Grad Secures Principal Flute Chair in Oregon Symphony

2022 graduate Julia Pyke will be ringing in a new chapter of her professional career this fall with the Oregon Symphony, which she's joined as Principal Flute. Pyke previously held the role of Principal with the Spokane Symphony, a role she won the same …

The Onde Trio perform at SFCM (Credit: Jason Wilcox.)

pre-college

Pre-College Onde Trio Makes Semifinals at Fischoff Competition

As it bids farewell to the class of 2026, SFCM's Pre-College has some up-and-comers to celebrate: The Onde Trio , who advanced to the semifinals in the prestigious Fischoff Competition in May. Fischoff is the largest and longest-running chamber music …

SFCM students play at the 2025 Hawai'i Chamber Music Festival.

Strings String and Piano Chamber Music strings

SFCM's Kaimana Quartet Prepares for the 2026 Hawai'i Chamber Music Festival

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music is prepping its musical delegation to the 2026 Hawai'i Chamber Music Festival (HCMF) and celebrating a partnership that spans an ocean. Founded by 2024 SFCM double bass graduate Christopher Yick, HCMF's offerings …

Igor Stravinsky and ballet dancers in the original production of his 'Rite of Spring.' (Courtesy Library of Congress)

Music History and Literature SFCM Orchestra SFCM orchestra

Why the Famous 'Riot' at the 'Rite of Spring' Premiere Was a Setup

It's one of the most iconic works of the 20th century: In other words, just good enough to close out a season at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Igor Stravinsky's towering Rite of Spring remains a daunting task for any ensemble, thanks to both …

Mikael Malmgren (Credit: Alexander Rogge).

Brass Trombone competition

'Pershing's Own' Competition Winner on Why His Nerves 'Went Away' Onstage

Freshman trombonist Kell Malmgren is off to a great start at SFCM, winning the American Trombone Workshop's Division 1 National Solo Competition (tenor trombone), and seeing a piece he composed get its world premiere. The National Trombone Workshop is …

Olivia Flanigan (seated) and her Contemporary Vocal Craft class.

Students Sing the Blues, Joni Mitchell, and Adele in Olivia Flanigan's Contemporary Vocals Class

Amid the strains of Puccini, Verdi, and Schubert, you may hear a Joni Mitchell or classic blues tune ringing out at SFCM. That's thanks to the Voice Department's Contemporary Vocals Craft class, taught by Olivia Flanigan . Recognized by the jazz …

Voice voice

A Conversation with Lester Lynch About Pedagogy

Hailed for his work with Verdi's repertoire, baritone Lester Lynch brought an international performance career chock-full of highlights—Teatro alla Scala, the Berlin Philharmoniker, Russia's Tatar State Opera, Norway’s Bergen National Opera, just to name …

Composition Harp composition

Jennifer Ellis and David Garner Discuss Their Composition for Harp Class and New Premiere

A concert harp is a fantastically complicated instrument, as Jennifer Ellis explained to the SFCM Newsroom in 2025 . Adding that to the entire palette of colors and instruments available to a composer can be daunting, but that's why Ellis and Composition …

Strings Violin chen zhao

Violin Faculty and SFS Violinist Chen Zhao's Approach to Teaching, In His Own Words

Spend enough time asking people about Chen Zhao , and you'll start to hear a consistent theme: "Chen knows everybody ." That's unsurprising, given his career: Growing up in Shanghai, China, he started playing a homemade violin made from a matchbox and …

SFFILM and SFCM's Sound and Cinema premiere.

Technology and Applied Composition Technology and Applied Composition

SFFILM Filmmakers and SFCM Students Premiere New Works at Sound & Cinema Showcase

That's a wrap: Three SFFILM-supported independent filmmakers premiered new works created with SFCM students in April at a sold-out event held in the Conservatory's premiere Studio G. For the second annual Sound & Cinema Showcase , in partnership with …

From left: Sarah Little, Kristen Klehr, and Erin Kelly

Professional Development pdec

SFCM's Arts Leadership Institute 2026 Focuses on Community Building with LA Phil, SF Symphony, and More

SFCM's Arts Leadership Institute, a four-day series of workshops, lectures and panel discussions presented the Conservatory's Professional Development and Engagement Center (PDEC) , will kick off on May 26. This year, Professional Development Chair …

Stewart Copeland with SFCM students at SFJAZZ.

Percussion Roots, Jazz, and American Music SFCM Orchestra sfjazz

Police Drummer Stewart Copeland on How He Came to SFCM for a Side-by-Side with Students

After introducing the rest of the band and SFCM orchestra onstage with him at SFJAZZ, Stewart Copeland joked, " Those are the real musicians." Gesturing at himself and the SFCM percussionists, he added, " We hit stuff." It's a bit of an …

michael tilson thomas

Remembering Michael Tilson Thomas

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music today mourns the passing at 81 of Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT), composer, conductor, Music Director Laureate of the San Francisco Symphony (SFS), founder and director of New World Symphony, SFCM Distinguished …

Roots, Jazz, and American Music students Beck Holland and Kole Dixon.

Roots, Jazz, and American Music roots jazz and american music

RJAM Students Highlighted as 'Top Shelf' in NPR Tiny Desk Competition

Tiny Desk, big talent. Roots, Jazz, and American Music (RJAM) students Kole Dixon and Beck Holland, like a lot of musicians, entered NPR's Tiny Desk Concert Competition in 2026. And like a lot of contestants, they're hoping to secure a performance at the …

Woodwinds Flute flute

Watch Yubeen Kim Play Debussy and Gaubert—and Learn About His Background and Teaching

One of several SFCM faculty members who hold principal seats with the San Francisco Symphony, Yubeen Kim is widely considered one of the best flutists in the world. Below, watch his performance of two pieces by Philippe Gaubert from his Faculty Artist …

Composition Historical Performance highsmith

An Award-Winning Composer Returns to SFCM to Premiere a Work Years in the Making

Some SFCM alumni have to travel further to visit, but the Conservatory is always thrilled to welcome—and celebrate—their return. Such is the case for French native Pierre Fontaine, a 2023 Composition grad who returned to SFCM in April to premiere his …

From left: Amithav Gautham, Stewart Copeland, and Tania Cosma.

Violin Roots, Jazz, and American Music roots jazz and american music

‘The Highlight of My Life So Far:’ SFCM Students Playing with Police Drummer Stewart Copeland at SFJAZZ

A few SFCM students are holding (nearly) every breath they take. Two-dozen-plus Conservatory musicians are joining Police drummer Stewart Copeland on SFJAZZ's largest stage for two concerts in April for performances celebrating SFCM's donors and raising …