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!
A non-refundable $25 registration fee will be charged once per term.
Practical Musicianship: From Structural Listening to Musical Enjoyment (MUS203)
Instructor: Mauricio Rodriguez, DMA
Registration for Fall 2024 will open late-August
A practical approach to music will allow you to understand its elements by developing listening skills to identify patterns in different genres and styles. For instance, in this course, you will learn about the formal similarities between a Schubert Lied and a Beatles song while also looking at their different harmonic grounds. Appreciating music in context is not only about knowing its theoretical principles, a “structural” listening is needed to fully experience the form of a piece and its constituent elements.
This course includes a practical survey of fundamental music elements: rhythm patterns, scales and modes, melodic structure, chord construction, harmonic progressions, harmonic cadences, and music form. Students will hone their hands-on listening skills through reading, singing, and performance activities. By the end of this course, you will actively use your knowledge in your own music practice, as well as explore the basics of analyzing and creating music. No prior music knowledge is required, but access to a musical instrument (acoustic or digital) is highly recommended.
Harmony and Analysis Workshop (MUS301)
Instructor: Harry Whitney
Registration for Fall 2024 will open late-August
This workshop provides students an opportunity to apply analysis skills learned in class to a wide range of repertoire, either student- or instructor-selected. We will all get to appreciate excellent music together as a group. All students will see how composers through the ages use principles of dissonance and resolution of dissonance to create musical meaning. In addition to studying repertoire, there will also be a chance to discuss four-part writing following the classical rules of voice-leading. Students will have breakout sessions in small groups, and the opportunity to present a final project at the end of the semester.
Prerequisite: Completion of Level 100 or 200 of Musicianship and Music Theory, or contact Harry Whitney at hwhitney@sfcm.edu to see if this class would be a good fit for you.
Musical Theater Vocal Performance Workshop
Instructor: Krista Wigle
Registration for Fall 2024 will open late-August
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.
Musical Theater Ensemble Workshop
Instructor: Krista Wigle
Registration for Fall 2024 will open late-August
This class is designed for learning Musical Theater Small Ensembles: duets, trios, & quartets! You will work on singing harmonies and expressing the story of the song together through character and text. Each number will be staged and culminates in a live performance in the SFCM Recital Hall. An SFCM pianist will be available to accompany at all in-person classes.
Enrollment is limited to 10 students.
Prerequisite: Completion of Musical Theater Vocal Performance Workshop or instructor approval. Contact Krista Wigle at kwigle@sfcm.edu to see if this class would be a good fit for you.
Vocal Performance Workshop
Instructor: Krista Wigle
Registration for Fall 2024 will open late-August
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.
Beginning Piano: From Middle C to Mozart
Instructor: Jacqueline Chew
Registration for Fall 2024 will open late-August
Learn to read music and to construct chords and major scales. Put it all together
and you will be able to play two solos by the last class! Students must have access to a personal keyboard or piano during online classes. Class limited to 8 students.
Required text: Keyboard Strategies – Master Text, Vol.1, by Stecher and Horowitz
ISBN: 9780793552917
Next Steps at the Piano
Instructor: Jacqueline Chew
Registration for Fall 2024 will open late-August
Continuing from Beginning Piano, add seventh chords (4-note chords) and minor scales to your
repertoire, polish scales and rhythm, and choose your favorite pieces to play! There will be an
informal performance at the final class. Students must have access to a personal keyboard or piano during online classes. Class limited to 8 students.
Required text: Keyboard Strategies – Master Text, Vol.1, by Stecher and Horowitz
ISBN: 9780793552917
Piano Repertory – Wednesdays
Instructor: Jacqueline Chew
Dates: 6:00 - 7:30 PM (PT) on Wednesdays from June 5 - July 31 (no class 6/19) (8 classes)
Location: In-Person at SFCM
Cost: $315
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 at this time.
Classes 6-7 will focus on performance preparation
Class 8 – July 31 , Performance in the Barbro Osher Recital Hall at SFCM Bowes Center, 200 Van Ness Avenue
It is helpful if pianists are familiar with major and minor keys, triads and seventh chords, and key signatures. Limit 6 pianists.
Repertoire level: Bach Two-part Inventions, classical sonatinas, Chopin Waltzes etc.
Piano Repertory – Thursdays
Instructor: Jacqueline Chew
Dates: 6:00 - 7:30 PM on Thursdays from June 6 - August 1 (no class on 7/4) (8 classes)
Location: Online
Cost: $315
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.
Classes 6 - 7 will focus on performance preparation.
Class 8 - August 1, Online Performance
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. Limit 6 pianists.
Repertoire level: Bach Two-part Inventions, classical sonatinas, Chopin Waltzes etc
SFCM Community Guitar Ensemble
Instructor: Scott Cmiel
Registration for Fall 2024 will open late-August
Community Guitar 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 virtual 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 scott.cmiel@sfcm.edu
