We are excited to welcome you to SFCM for audition days! Below, you will find important information about navigating our campus, including details on audition day logistics, campus tours, information sessions, and class observations, along with links for further exploration of SFCM and our vibrant artistic community.
Buildings & Maps
We have two buildings—please refer to your SFCM Audition Confirmation email to ensure you arrive at the correct check-in location.
Ann Getty Center for Education: 50 Oak St. San Francisco, CA 94102
(The Bowes Center) The Ute and William K. Bowes, Jr. Center for Performing Arts: 200 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102
Google Walking Directions:
Audition Day Building Maps
Applicants and guests must check in with Security and the Admissions Office upon arrival.
Only RJAM applicants will check in at the Bowes Center - all other auditions will check in and warm up at the Ann Getty Center. Admissions check-in is on the café level, one floor down—take a moment to explore the Ann Getty Phyllis Wattis Atrium!
Guests are welcome and encouraged to accompany their applicants, however, guests are not permitted in the practice room area, practice rooms, back stage, or in audition rooms. All guests must check in with Admissions and may stay in the waiting areas.
Ann Getty Atrium looking down onto Cafe level.
Ann Getty (50 Oak Street) entrance.
Applicants will be granted access to the practice area/floor approximately 10–15 minutes after their assigned check-in time—this is referred to as "Transition to Practice Area."
Applicants will be assigned a room based on their area of study and will receive the minimum warm-up time required by their area’s policies. Rest assured, we have built in sufficient transition time to ensure you receive your minimum warm up time.
Our staff will come to get you and notify you when it is time to proceed to your audition location!
Please be packed and ready to leave at this "departure time," as another applicant will immediately use your room. Be sure to take all personal belongings with you.
Ann Getty Center (50 Oak Street)
On weekend auditions, coffee, tea, and water will be provided outside the Blue Bird Cafe on the C/Cafe level. The Blue Bird Cafe is closed for purchasing items.
On weekday auditions, food and drinks can be purchased till 3:00 pm at the Blue Bird Cafe.
Bowes Center (200 Van Ness Ave)
Food and drinks can be purchased from the Bowes Center cafe (200 Van Ness Ave) between 8 am - 8 pm.
Ann Getty Center (50 Oak Street)
All Hours of Auditions: Cafe "C" level near Blue Bird Cafe and Admissions Office check-in
Bowes Center (200 Van Ness Ave)
All Hours of Auditions: Bowes student lounge
All Hours of Auditions: Bowes cafe
10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Uccello lounge. Please note they will not be serving food or drinks, but you may bring in outside food and drinks.
Students in the Bowes Center lounge.
Students in the Bowes Student Cafe.
Uccello Lounge at the Bowes Center.
Campus tours on audition days will last approximately 60–90 minutes, depending on group size. On audition days, campus tours are open to auditioning applicants and their guests only.
All tours begin at the Café level of the Ann Getty Center, near the Blue Bird Café and Admissions check-in table. Tours cover the Ann Getty Center and The Bowes Center, a five-minute walk apart—please be prepared for a short outdoor walk. You may leave a tour early if needed! Tours start on time, and late arrivals may not be accommodated due to group pacing and floor restrictions for visitors without a guide.
Please register for a tour using the links below!
Uccello Lounge, Bowes Center (200 Van Ness Ave). Located immediately to the right off the lobby in the Bowes Center (see the image of the dining room area below).
At the start of each session, each area will provide an overview of their office, followed by a Q&A. Once all offices have presented, the remaining time will be available for drop-in questions and to meet with the various departments and attendees. Feel free to drop in at any time during the hours listed below. While registration helps us anticipate attendance, it is not required!
Registration is not required. Please note that academic classes, including core courses like music theory and professional development, are not open for drop-in observations during audition days due to small class sizes and limited seating. Thank you for your understanding.
All instrumental auditions will be performed unaccompanied. We will not supply a piano and ask that you do not bring an accompanist.
All vocalists must use the accompanist/collaborative pianist provided by SFCM. Each applicant will have a 10 minute rehearsal with the pianist immediately prior to their audition.
We hope you get a chance to experience music at SFCM while you are here! Below are some highlights around your visit! Seat reservations and/or tickets must be reserved online or at the Ann Getty Center Box Office near security.
February 20: Guitar Department Recital, Sol Joseph Recital Hall, Ann Getty Center, 7:30 PM
February 21: Masterclass: Erin Tuomi Hannigan, oboe, Cha Chi Ming Recital Hall, Bowes Center, 1:00 PM
February 21: Masterclass: Sharon Isbin, guitar, Cha Chi Ming Recital Hall, Bowes Center, 7:30 PM
February 21: SFCM Musical Theater Presents: Triumph of Love, Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall, Ann Getty Center, 7:30 PM
February 22: SFCM Musical Theater Presents: Triumph of Love, Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall, Ann Getty Center, 7:30 PM
February 22: Violin Department Recital, Sol Joseph Recital Hall, Ann Getty Center, 7:30 PM
February 22: Faculty Artist Series - Nancy Zhou, violin, Sol Joseph Recital Hall, Ann Getty Center, 7:30 PM
We're excited to offer complimentary items to help applicants commemorate their audition experience! In addition to these items, which are free of charge, we also offer items for purchase such as hats, t-shirts, mugs, and more!
Explore our online SFCM Merch Shop and use code SFCM15 for a 15% off discount for auditioning applicants!
Whether you choose to go on an in-person tour or not, our virtual tours are a great way to see our buildings in a whole new way!
Get to know our school history and campus by watching the virtual tour videos below! We also encourage you to visit our Facilities page for more virtual tours of the Anne Getty Center, the Bowes Center, and photo tours of our performance venues and classrooms!
The San Francisco Conservatory of Music is located in the heart of San Francisco’s arts and tech districts. SFCM is perfectly placed to offer you direct access to musical artistry of the highest caliber. Learn more about where to listen to music in San Francisco through our Getting to SFCM page.
San Francisco is huge in terms of attractions, but geographically, all those sights and sounds are packed into only about 49 square miles! Get to know San Francisco neighborhoods through the San Francisco Travel Associations introduction! Here is a suggested list of 28 things not to miss in San Francisco including the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Alcatraz, and more!
From hearing health to counseling, we provide an array of services and information to assist students. Your health is a priority, and we make it easy for you to get access to the care you need. Learn more about health and wellness at SFCM!
As an institution located in San Francisco’s urban arts and tech district, we take safety and security seriously. Security officers are on-site around-the-clock, and officers are present in building lobbies 24/7. Learn more about safety and security at SFCM.
It takes more than talent to build a career. While SFCM offers a focused curriculum that prepares students for a life in music, general studies in history, literature, mathematics, and other disciplines are essential to a fully transformative education.
We place a strong emphasis on professional development in our core curriculum to ready students for their careers. Courses in marketing, finance, teaching, and technology, as well as internships with local, professional arts organizations will help you build the confidence you need to take risks and craft the career of your dreams.
Learn more about Bachelor of Music concentrations and professional development at SFCM!
When it comes to your college experience, nothing is more important than feeling comfortable. At SFCM, we strive to provide you with the most useful tools and opportunities to make your time at the Conservatory welcoming and productive.
Let's begin! Use the links below to explore Student Life at SFCM.
The Ute and William K. Bowes, Jr. Center for Performing Arts, located at 200 Van Ness Ave. Learn more about the Bowes Center.
At SFCM, we understand that college can be a substantial investment. We're here to help, and we're committed to working with you to achieve the education you desire. Nearly all of our students - 99 percent - are awarded scholarship assistance.
Financial aid packages (includes scholarship offer) are sent to all students by April 1, 2024.
Students play alongside musicians from Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
String Quartet playing in front of Golden Gate Bridge