Online music lessons and group classes at CMC are community classrooms for reaching new heights of your musical development. CMC’s entire course catalog is available online unless otherwise noted.
Composition is an ideal topic to teach remotely. Join this group Zoom-based class to study the principles of musical composition through analysis and creative writing. Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to write melodies and their accompaniment, and create short musical pieces for solo instrumental, or small ensemble performance. The teaching component of the class includes the description of the basic elements of composition, an introduction to musical structures and forms (phrase, period, ABA), and guided listening and discussion of examples from the music repertoire. Students will be assigned composition exercises, describe and discuss (online, via Zoom) their work with the class, and work on a final composition project two to four minutes long.
No previous composition experience is necessary. Previous enrollment in Music Theory I and II is recommended but not strictly necessary. Participants should have some training in an instrument or voice.
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: Any (none used in class)
Styles of music studied: Various
Prerequisites: No previous composition experience is necessary. Previous enrollment in Music Theory I and II is recommended but not required. Participants should have some training in an instrument or voice.
Class size: Because of the participatory nature of the class, the size is limited to six students.
Locations, Days and Times:
Richmond District Branch, Thursdays, 7:30-9:00pm*
Instructor: Davide Verotta
Instructor’s website
Tuition:$532 Fall (14 weeks), $335 Spring (10 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
This group class studies of principles of musical composition through analysis and creative writing. Upon completion of this course a student will be able to: (1) analyze relatively complex musical compositions, (2) write melody, accompaniment, and motive variations, (3) create longer musical pieces for solo instrumental, vocal or small ensemble performance. The teaching component of the class includes advanced elements of composition including vocal writing, the description of musical forms [Pop-Song, Ostinato-Variations (Chaconne, Passacaglia, 12-bar blues), Sonata Form], and guided listening and discussion of examples from the music repertoire. Students will be assigned composition exercises, describe and discuss their work with the class, and work on a final composition project.
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: Any (none used in class)
Styles of music studied: Various
Prerequisites: Composition Workshop I or consent of the instructor. Previous enrollment in Music Theory I and II is recommended but not required. Participants should have some training in an instrument or voice.
Class size: Because of the participatory nature of the class, the size is limited to six students.
Locations, Days and Times:
Richmond District Branch, Thursdays, 7:30-9:00pm (Winter Quarter only)
Instructor: Davide Verotta
Instructor’s website
Tuition: $402 Winter (12 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
This group class studies the principles of musical composition through analysis and creative writing. Upon completion of this course a student will: (1) learn about the use of common practice as well as modern harmony in composition, (2) learn how to use melodic, harmonic, rhythmic and textural components to generate musical form, (3) create longer musical pieces in closed or free form. The teaching component includes late 19th and 20th century harmony, the study of musical forms, and the analysis, guided listening, and discussion of examples from the repertoire. Students will be assigned composition exercises, describe and discuss their work with the class, and work on a final composition project.
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: Any (none used in class)
Styles of music studied: Various
Prerequisites: Composition Workshop I and II, or consent of the instructor. Previous enrollment in Music Theory I and II is recommended but not required. Participants should have some training in an instrument or voice.
Class size: Because of the participatory nature of the class, the size is limited to six students.
Locations, Days and Times:
Richmond District Branch, Thursdays, 7:30–9:00pm
Instructor: Davide Verotta
Instructor’s website
Tuition: $335 Spring (10 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
Learn how to capture and develop your musical ideas in a supportive environment. This hands-on class explores general composition methods through weekly short exercises that encourage larger compositions to be developed if desired. In each class we discuss specific techniques and review student work. Ideally, students will be able to record and/or notate their assignments prior to each class meeting. Live performances are also acceptable.
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Prerequisites: Students should have a working knowledge of music notation, but notated assignments and compositions are not required. Similarly, no specific level of music theory knowledge is required and students will be encouraged to compose at whatever level they feel comfortable. Students are welcome to communicate with Jono prior to enrolling.
Class size: Because of the participatory nature of the class, class size is limited to six (6) students.
Locations, Days and Times:
Mission District Branch, Thursdays, 6:15–7:05 pm*
Instructor: Jono Kornfeld
Tuition: Summer Quarter (8 weeks) $268
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
This group class studies the principles of musical composition through analysis and creative writing. This is a more advanced class in composition following up on the Composition Workshop I-III. The class will focus on special topics related to musical form and harmony with particular regard to late 19th to 21st century developments. There will be a strong emphasis in student composition, and students will describe and discuss their work with the class.
Ages: Adults, Older Teens (high school students)
Instruments: Any (none used in class)
Styles of Music Studied: Various
Prerequisites: Composition I to III or consent of the instructor. Previous enrollment in Music Theory I and II is recommended. Participants should have training in an instrument or voice.
Class Size: Limit 6
Locations Days and Times: Richmond District Branch, Mondays, 7:30-9:00 pm (Summer only)
Instructor: Davide Verotta
Tuition: Summer Quarter only (8 weeks) $268
For enrollment, please call the Richmond District Branch at (415) 221-4515.
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount
Share your songs and song ideas in a supportive, informative setting. We’ll highlight various aspects of the craft of songwriting as they occur as the process unfolds. Add new tools to your songwriting tool box as we explore songwriting techniques, lyric development, song structure, harmonic development, and more. Get some tips, learn some tricks from a published songwriter who has released 7 indie albums of original music and recorded on Warner Brothers and Rounder Records.
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Class size: 3–6 students
Instructor: Larry Dunn
Location: Mission District Branch, Tuesdays, 8:00–9:00pm
Tuition: $532 Fall (14 weeks), $456 Winter (12 weeks), $380 Spring (10 weeks), $304 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
