Composer-Performer Track

The Composer-Performer Track is an innovative program that pushes the boundaries of music creation by seamlessly integrating singer-songwriting, advanced technology, and abstract noise art. This track is designed for musicians eager to break free from traditional constraints, embracing the intersection of diverse genres and pioneering sonic landscapes. During semester one, students will explore dynamics between composing and performing, and sound technologies across genres – including singer-songwriter, abstract noise art, live audio-visuals and more. Semester two takes a deeper look at interactions between composing and performance, including building custom instruments and controllers, innovative approaches to sound manipulation, and approaches to combining audio with visuals for live performance, pop music, and sound installations.

The Conservatory is absolutely amazing, some of the best facilities I have ever seen.”

— RICKY KEJ, GRAMMY-winning composer

TAC's new studios in the Bowes Center, inaugurated in late 2021, are home to digital Avid S6 and analog API 1608-II consoles, as well as a Meyer Sound 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos monitoring system, making them the perfect place for audio recording, post-production, and spatial audio experimentation.

Award-winning film composer Michael Abels met one-on-one with TAC students during a campus visit.

Each semester visiting artists from Sony Interactive Entertainment work with SFCM’s TAC students to compose individual scores for a fictional video game.

Students work with industry professionals in Studio G, the TAC program's technology hall, to adjust the variable acoustic and truss system in preparation for recording.

TAC Executive Director Taurin Barrera works with students in Studio A, a space designed for large-scale and advanced recording projects as well as clinics and master classes with visiting artists and professionals.

Bay Area's NPR affiliate KQED said, "One could call TAC the perfect marriage of technology, classical musicianship, and experimentation."

Each January, SFCM students participate in Winter Term, a dedicated period of exploration outside one's primary focus area. During Winter Term, TAC students have participated in projects such as building hardware synthesizers, projection mapping in Hume Concert Hall, and performing modular synths in a genre-bending public concert.

TAC plays host to SFCM's "Future is Female" concert in honor of International Women's Day.

Technology and Applied Composition

SFCM’s TAC program offers students a direct path to careers in film, television and media scoring, sound design, and audio engineering. More than 90% of alumni are employed in the field of their choice—one of the highest job placement rates anywhere.

TAC Department

Studios

SFCM’s TAC studios are the best around. They feature the latest versions of all major digital audio workstations on the market, as well as top-of-the-line hardware to suit your every recording and mixing need.

Studios

Financial Aid and Affordability

At SFCM, we understand that college is a substantial investment. We're here to help, and we're committed to working with you to achieve the education you desire. 99% of our students receive financial aid at an average rate of 57% tuition discount.

Life on Campus

Learn about safe and secure, all-suite on-campus housing, where 24/7 practice rooms are just the beginning.

Performances

We put on more than 500 performances a year, including student recitals, masterclasses, and side-by-sides with exciting guest artists—most of them free to the public. Check out one today.

Newsroom

Get the inside scoop on everything going on at SFCM with stories of SFCM's students, alumni, faculty and leadership.

Alliances

SFCM leads an alliance across the music industry consisting of artist management companies Opus 3 Artists and Askonas Holt and recording label Pentatone. Together, their work creates opportunities for students, artists, presenters, and audiences to develop and experience new ideas.

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