CMC offers group music opportunities for kids of all ages, from babies and toddlers to teens. All classes are offered on a sliding scale, and our Children’s Chorus and Teen Jazz Orchestra are tuition-free.
Introduces children to the lively rhythms and songs of Afro-Caribbean musical cultures, exposing children to the fun of musical expression in a group context. Students learn techniques to play hand drums, maracas, güiro, bells and other percussion instruments. Kids learn a sense of rhythm, melody, dynamics, playing together, and are exposed to the rich musical history of diverse cultures. The last class of the series will be a musical activity for the whole family where students share what they’ve learned and teach parents/family members.
This course is a great companion to CMC’s Musical Discovery Camp and class Percussion for Kids. Open to all children 7-11 years old regardless of musical experience.
Ages: 7-12
Musical styles: Afro-Caribbean
Class size: Maximum 20 students
Location, Days and Times: Mission District Branch, Wednesdays, 4:00 – 5:30pm; June 27 – August 8.
No class July 4 or July 25.
Instructor: Hector Lugo
Tuition: $120 Summer (5 weeks)
Tuition assistance available
Young singers: find your voice and learn to blend it into a group by singing in CMC’s Children’s Chorus! You will develop basic ear training, sight singing and performance skills in an environment that emphasizes cooperation, teamwork and fun. The Children’s Chorus presents three theme concerts each year.
Ages: Children ages 8-12
Instrument: Voices of all ranges
Musical Styles: Popular, jazz, multicultural folk, showtunes, originals
Prerequisites: A strong desire to sing and families committed to supporting their children’s experience
Class size: Maximum 25 students
Location, Days and Times: Mission District Branch, Mondays and Wednesdays, 4-5:30pm
Instructors: Beth Wilmurt, Director; John Kyrk, Accompanist.
Tuition: None. $45 annual registration fee.
Class does not meet during the summer
Please contact the registrars at (415) 647-6015 to enroll or speak to the instructor on your first day of class.
This mixed age music class for infants to three-year-olds and parents/caregivers provides a musical bonding experience and an introduction to singing, rhythmic activities and musical play. Classes focus on the music of Latin America with an emphasis on Mexican music. More than one adult can attend with a registered child. Class is held in Spanish and English.
Ages: Children ages 0-3
Instrument: Voice and percussion instruments provided by CMC
Prerequisites: None.
Class size: 4-8 students
Locations, Days and Times:
Mission District Branch, Thursdays, 11:00–11:45am
Instructor: Susan Peña
Tuition: $202 Summer (8 weeks), $371 Fall (14 weeks), $318 Winter (12 weeks), $256 (10 weeks)
Ask us about our referral discount!
This is a mixed-age music class for infants to 3 year olds and parents/caregivers – a musical bonding experience and an introduction to singing, rhythmic activities, movement and musical play. Each child participates at his or her own level, and the adults sing, move and play along with the children. Rhythmic rhymes and songs for one-on one finger plays with your child, or group singing and dancing in a circle. More than one adult can attend with a registered child.
Ages: 0-3 years old
Instrument: Voice and percussion instruments provided by CMC
Prerequisites: None
Class size: 4-8 families
Location, Days and Times:
Mission District Branch, Tuesdays, 9:30–10:15am
Richmond District Branch, Saturdays,10:30–11:15am
For enrollment, please contact call the Richmond Branch registrar at (415) 221-4515.
Instructor: Diane Aurelius
Tuition: $371 Fall (14 weeks), $318 Winter (12 weeks), $256 Spring (10 weeks)
Class does not meet during the Summer Quarter.
Ask us about our referral discount!
This class introduces children to guitar in a social environment. Youngsters age 8-12 will learn how to create a good tone, establish a steady beat, play in rhythm and internalize melody and song. Students will learn a variety of songs from folk, rock, pop and world music repertoire. These songs will allow students to practice the fundamentals they learn in class.
It is highly recommended that children enroll during the Fall Quarter. Each quarter will have a different focus and will build on the prior quarter’s content. Fall Quarter will focus on melody and rhythm, Winter Quarter on chords and songs, and Spring Quarter on reading music.
Ages: Children ages 8-12
Musical Styles: Folk, rock, pop and world music
Class Size: Maximum 5 students
Locations, Days and Times:
Mission District Branch. Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30pm
Instructor: Erik Pearson
Tuition: $371 Fall (14 weeks), $318 Winter (12 weeks), $256 Spring (10 weeks)
Class does not meet during the Summer Quarter.
This group class helps kids develop musicianship through rhythm games, songs, creative movement and the use of Orff instruments, which are designed to give a successful musical experience to all beginning musicians. Students will be introduced to symphonic instruments and experiment with the way their sounds are produced. They will also learn popular songs from around the world.
Ages: Children ages 4-7
Instrument: Unpitched and pitched percussion (provided), voice
Prerequisites: None. Late registration with instructor’s consent.
Class size: 5-8 students
Locations, Days and Times:
Mission District Branch, Wednesdays
3:45-4:30pm for ages 4-5
4:30-5:15pm for ages 4-5
5:30-6:15pm for ages 6-7
6:30-7:15pm for ages 6-7
Richmond District Branch, Saturdays
9:30am–10:15am for ages 4–7
For enrollment at the Richmond Branch, please contact call the Richmond Branch registrar at (415) 221-4515.
Instructors:
Mission District Branch: Irene Chagall
Richmond District Branch: Diane Aurelius
Tuition:$202 Summer (8 weeks), $371 Fall (14 weeks), $318 Winter (12 weeks), $256 Spring (10 weeks)
Ask us about our referral discount!
This course is designed to introduce young people to songs, rhythms and the joy of making music in a group. Students will play Afro-Caribbean rhythms and will learn about dynamics, sound quality, staying in rhythm, following the conductor, and listening and playing at the same time in a group setting. No experience is necessary to participate!
Ages: Children ages 8-12
Musical Styles: Afro-Caribbean
Class Size: Maximum 6 students
Location, Days and Times:
Mission District Branch
Mondays 5:15 – 6:15pm
Instructors: Omar Ledezma Jr. with guest artists
Tuition: $202 Summer (8 weeks), $371 Fall (14 weeks), $318 Winter (12 weeks), $256 Spring (10 weeks)
Chamber music, which is playing in a small group setting, can greatly improve a student’s playing, and is a helpful supplement for any student in a school band or orchestra program. Small groups may be formed in classical, jazz or Latin music.
Four-Hand Piano Duos: Intermediate and advanced piano students may connect through the chamber music program to play classical duets. Four-hand piano is a fun way to apply what you’ve learned and pick up new skills that may also introduce you to chamber music with strings and winds. A bonus, unique to this program, is that both players develop the valuable techniques of accompaniment. Opportunities arise when two students introduce themselves or are matched by a teacher, or one player in a former duo is looking for a partner. This is how lasting friendships as well as great performing groups are created!
Ages: All ages
Instruments: All and voice
Musical Styles: All
Prerequisites:
Students should have at least two years of experience playing their instrument. Placement auditions for new students take place at the beginning of each quarter in order to create groups who play at similar levels. Beginning students should be familiar with key signature with up to three sharps and flats, and basic rhythms including eighth notes.
Class size: 2-5 students
Locations, Days and Times: Mission District Branch OR Richmond District Branch
Instructors:
Sin-Tung Chiu, Rachel Condry, Juliet McComas, Jennifer Peringer, Loretta Taylor, Betty Wong, Shirley Wong-Frentzel, others TBA
Tuition: $290 Summer (8 weeks), $532 Fall (14 weeks), $456 Winter (12 weeks), $380 Spring (10 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
The Community Music Center Teen Jazz Orchestra is an ensemble dedicated to performing the music of Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Count Basie, various other composers, and original compositions. The orchestra will be led by composer, bassist, and teacher Marcus Shelby. The CMC Teen Jazz Orchestra will also study the history and development of American music and be encouraged to write and arrange for the orchestra as well. Each class will include a discussion about the history of the music, development of the blues, theory, listening sessions, video, learning about key characters, and imagining the possibilities of our music. There will be a performance at the end of each quarter.
Ages: Teens
Instruments: Instrumentation includes (but is not limited to) alto sax, tenor sax, clarinet, baritone sax, trombone, trumpet, piano, bass, drums, guitar, violin, and vocals
Musical Styles: Jazz, rhythm and blues, funk, Latin jazz
Prerequisites: Strong interest, proficiency on an instrument, basic music reading skills. Admission with instructor’s consent.
Class size: 15-20 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch, Tuesdays, 4:15-6:15pm
Instructor: Marcus Shelby
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
Class does not meet during the Summer Quarter.
Please contact the registrars at (415) 647-6015 to enroll or speak to the instructor on your first day of class.
The Youth Wind Ensemble provides an enjoyable environment in which to learn the following skills: tuning and blending with other instruments, following a conductor, playing leading and supporting roles, and developing the ability to match pitches (play by ear). Repertoire may include folk tunes, classical music, movie tunes and pop tunes. Some basic elements of music theory are discussed, such as transposition, key signatures, and musical terms indicating tempo.
Ages: 10-16 (suggested ages, depending on skill level)
Instruments: Woodwinds
Musical Styles: Popular, classical, jazz, folk, traditional
Prerequisites: Students should have completed a method book with their private instructor. Students should know major scales up to two sharps and two flats and have mastered basic rhythms including eighth notes and syncopation. Admission with instructor’s consent.
Class size: 4-8 students
Location, Day and Time: Richmond District Branch, Fridays, 5:00-6:00pm
Instructor: Annelise Zamula
Tuition: $532 Fall (14 weeks), $456 Winter (12 weeks), $380 Spring (10 weeks)
Class does not meet during Summer Quarter.
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
For enrollment, call the Richmond District Branch registrar at (415) 221-4515.
