Calling string, winds, and piano players to join CMC Chamber Music Ensembles
Whether you are an advanced beginner or an accomplished amateur musician, CMC’s chamber music program offers an opportunity to develop your musicianship and technique as well as the chance to play with others. Groups are composed of two to five students of compatible levels. Director Katrina Wreede works with students to match them with CMC faculty coaches and other students of similar level and musical interests to create a music ensemble to take ensemble playing to the next level. For Spring Quarter, which starts the first week of April, there are several preformed groups seeking additional players.
A landmark moment: CMC students perform alongside the SF Symphony
February 17, 2023 A landmark moment The performances of Gabriel Kahane’s emergency shelter intake form on February 2nd and 3rd were a milestone in the more than 100-year relationship between the San Francisco Symphony (SFS) and CMC. It was the first time that CMC students have performed alongside the San Francisco Symphony in a regular season concert. The experience was profound and memorable […]
MDYMP goes on tour
November 15, 2022 By Sylvia Sherman, Program Director CMC’s Mission District Young Musicians Program was busy this fall with performances that commemorated Mission District culture and history, contributed to neighborhood school festivals, and celebrated Día de los Muertos. On October 15, CMC participated in Acción Latina’s community art walk Paseo Artístico: “The 80’s Matter in […]
More than music: Community Music Center builds skills for life
Recent Community Music Center graduate Chris Flores, 18, has had rich experiences in his time at CMC. Chris developed not only skills and maturity that come through dedicated musical study, but he built professional know-how as he built and repaired musical instruments in a CMC internship. Chris is taking his CMC experiences, both musical and vocational, to the University of the Pacific, where he recently started as a freshman.
Two new scholarships endowed in honor of longtime supporter Linda Blacketer
The Linda Blacketer Memorial Scholarships honor the life of longtime Community Music Center friend and supporter Linda Blacketer.
Encore! CMC Summer Rewind
Tune in to relive a selection of recent concerts and events featuring CMC faculty, students, and partners you may have missed! We’ll be sharing inspirational and educational concerts, workshops, and presentations to keep the music going all summer long.
A triumphant song for equality: An interview with Maestro Curtis
As part of our centennial celebrations, CMC is proud to present the world premiere of a commissioned new work by acclaimed composer-performer and longtime faculty member Maestro Curtis, PhD on April 23 at 1 pm as part of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival. The premiere of Curtis’ “A Song of Triumph: The History of Black Music” will feature Maestro Curtis PhD, The Curtis Family C-Notes and special guests, including Dorothy Morrison, Bishop James Adams, Juan Escovedo, Pastor Harold Gordon, Ken Little, Larry Douglas, Ricardo Scales, Tony Bolivar, J.R. Hall, Tina Bryant, and Neil Stallings. The commission and premiere are an extension of CMC’s Black Music Studies Program.
Reimagining musical collaboration and community: An interview with Cava Menzies
On April 4, CMC is launching (Re)Imagine: 100 New Works from Cava Menzies & Community Music Center to commemorate 100 years of music for everyone. This project is in collaboration with artist, composer, and educator Cava Menzies and will result in 100 new works—50 created by Menzies in collaboration with international and local musicians and 50 created by YMP and MDYMP. These works will be shared digitally from April 4 to May 23 with an in-person event on May 14.
Chamber Music Program expands its offerings
CMC’s Chamber Music Ensemble Program has been growing by leaps and bounds. Since the Fall Quarter, the program has blossomed from three students to 22. The program still offers standard classical music groups, but has opened up the formation of groups based on the musical interests of the applicants. This has resulted in folk and blues chamber ensembles, along with the classical groups the program is known for.
Breaking ground on a new century
On Wednesday, February 16, CMC will hold a festive groundbreaking event for the Community Music Center Campus Expansion Project. This short ceremony will feature students and faculty from the Children’s Chorus, Mission District Young Musicians Program, Mission District Older Adult Choirs, and members of the SFUSD Mariachi Program performing “If I Had a Hammer” and “Las Mañanitas.” Participating faculty will include Martha Rodríguez-Salazar, Beth Wilmurt, Miguel Govea, Susan Peña, Sharon Wayne, and Tregar Otton. The event will take place in CMC’s courtyard at the Mission District Branch