Creating original music in the heat of the moment is a skill unlike any other. But like any skill, it can be learned. And improvisation has the unique potential to inform performance styles from nearly every stylistic period. That’s why SFCM has developed …

SFCM’s chamber music ensembles are committed to deep exploration of the wide-ranging chamber music literature. As a member of one of the ensemble, you’ll be individually coached by, and work with, players from the graduate chamber music program. …

Performing works of composers from Edgard Varèse to Steve Reich, percussion ensembles have long been a staple of the chamber music world. This unique ensemble experience offers you performance opportunities that enhance your understanding of musical …

  As a member of the SFCM Orchestra, you’ll experience firsthand the advantages of playing in a large ensemble. You’ll also get a complete overview of orchestral repertoire, and that begins with examining both masterworks and lesser-known pieces of every …

SFCM’s New Music Ensemble places students in the classical music of their own time and recent generations. As a member of the ensemble, you’ll perform a variety of works written in the 20th and 21st centuries in concert each year. Personal contact with …

The San Francisco Conservatory Guitar Ensemble, under the direction of David Tanenbaum, has an extensive history of exploring new and traditional music both on and off the school campus. The Ensemble’s legacy of world premieres and commissions includes …

  Conservatory Chorus, led by director Eric Choate, is a cornerstone of the curriculum. Regardless of a student's major, participation in choral singing enhances their sensitivity as an ensemble musician, hones their musicianship skills, and refines their …

Brass Choir is a weekly class for all brass majors at SFCM. It’ll help you develop your ensemble skills through regular reading rehearsals, orchestral repertoire readings, and preparing for  public recitals. The class also serves as a forum for master …

SFCM’s Baroque Ensemble performs music of the 17th and 18th centuries in orchestral and chamber settings. As a member of the Ensemble, you’ll gain a sense of period performance practices and expand your repertoire with Baroque masterworks that have served …

It takes more than talent to build a career. Success in any field requires skills and experiences beyond what you learn in the practice room. We place a strong emphasis on professional development in our core curriculum to ready students for their …

Music theory and musicianship classes at SFCM prepare you for a life as both a performer and a thinker. Whether it’s Baroque counterpoint or 20th-century harmony, it’s must-know material for aspiring classical musicians. Theory courses are complemented by …

SFCM’s classes in music history and literature provide a vital learning experience for all aspiring musicians. SFCM faculty deliver engaging sessions, helping students think critically about the meaning of the music they play by examining the musical …