We are open for in-person learning and continue to offer online lessons and classes.
Online classes and ensembles are labeled in the descriptions with the symbol:
Online Class 💻
Online Class 💻
This group class teaches the fundamentals of musical composition. Students will learn how to write melodies (first short melodic fragments and then longer melodic lines); how to match a melody to an accompaniment, either using harmony or using counterpoint; and how to organize musical material in a musical form. Curriculum will cover in detail the fundamental binary (AB) and ternary (ABA) forms, which form the basis of more complex classical as well as popular musical forms. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to write melodies and their accompaniment using harmony or counterpoint, and create short musical pieces for solo instrumental or small ensemble performance. 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: No previous composition experience is necessary. Previous enrollment in Music Theory I–II is recommended but not required. Participants should have at least 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, Mondays, 7:00-8:00pm*
Instructor: Davide Verotta
Instructor’s website
Tuition: $652 Fall (14 weeks), $559 Winter (12 weeks), $466 Spring (10 weeks). Class does not meet Summer Quarter
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
*This class will not meet Spring Quarter 2023
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
This group class teaches the fundamentals of musical composition. Students will learn how to write variations of a melody and its accompaniment, and how to create longer musical compositions starting from a given melody or theme. The teaching component of the class includes more advanced elements of composition, the description of large musical forms (ostinato-variations [chaconne, passacaglia, 12-bar blues], pop song, sonata form), and guided listening and discussion of examples from the classical and popular music repertoires. Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to derive thematic and motivic variations from a melody, create longer musical pieces for solo instrumental, vocal, or small ensemble performance, and analyze relatively complex musical compositions. Students will be assigned composition and music analysis 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–III 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:$466 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.
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, 8:00–8:50 pm
Instructor: Jono Kornfeld
Tuition: Summer Quarter only (8 weeks) $372
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
