The Black Music Studies Program (BMSP) is designed to inspire and empower students by learning and experiencing the foundations, innovations, and expansion of American music given to the world by the enslaved black peoples from the continent of Africa (Alkebulan) and their descendants. The program aims to give students a deep sense of love, respect, and appreciation for the contributions of American Black culture which has impacted and crossed all ethnic and color lines.
The Black Music Studies Program is a comprehensive program that includes a certificate program on history and culture, private lessons, and instrumental and vocal classes that explore the roots and styles of Black music.
The program was developed by Department Head Maestro Curtis, PhD. In addition to being well-known teacher, composer, producer, and performer, Maestro, along with his wife Nola and their five children (who are CMC students), make up The Curtis Family C-notes aka San Francisco’s First Family of Song and America’s Got Talent contestants on season 16.
The Black Music Studies Certificate Program is a rich collection of classes taught online on the history, culture, and musical appreciation of Black music derived from the African Diaspora. The classes offer students engaging discussions, inspiring demonstrations, and musical examples. The certificate classes are taught by Maestro and Nola Curtis. CMC students who complete varying levels of the coursework will be eligible for a certificate of completion.
FALL QUARTER 2023 CERTIFICATE CLASSES
A musical and cultural reflection on the importance and purposes of music. Drumming, singing, vocal harmonies, ceremony, instrumentation, and the music of agrarian civilization will be explored. This is a required course for completion of the BMSP Certificate Program.
This class is offered tuition free for those who enroll in Vocal Harmony Workshop or the Black Music Ensemble.
Location, Days and Times: Wednesdays, 7:00–8:00pm Online via Zoom.
Ages: All ages welcome, but most appropriate for teens and adults
Instruments: Open to all interested, who play an instrument, sing, or are simply interested in the subject matter
Class sizes: 15 students
Tuition: $575 Fall (14 weeks), $575 Winter (14 weeks), $328 Spring (8 weeks). Class does not meet during Summer Quarter
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount
Sign Up
This class will investigate specific musical perspectives each tribe brought with them into America during the Atlantic Slave Trade and their subsequent influences on American Music. Students will explore different groups’ musical approaches, their use of the voice as the instrument, and learn basic songs and their meaning, and melodic/rhythmic pattern.
Location, Days and Times: Wednesdays, 8:15–9:15 pm Online via Zoom.
Ages: All ages welcome, but most appropriate for teens and adults
Instruments: Open to all interested, who play an instrument, sing, or are simply interested in the subject matter
Class sizes: 15 students
Tuition: $575 Fall (14 weeks), $575 Winter (14 weeks), $328 Spring (8 weeks). Class does not meet during Summer Quarter
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount
Sign Up
Based on student interest, private lessons can focus on Black music styles, which include blues, jazz, R&B, Afro-Cuban, funk, soul, and others, as well as offering students a full range of technical and creative skills.
DRUM SET
Deszon Claiborne
PERCUSSION
Omar Ledezma Jr.
PIANO
Jon Jang
Ken Little
Tony Martinez
Michaela Overall
STRINGS
Tregar Otton
VOICE
Michael Mohammed
Clif Payne
Many Community Music Center group classes and ensembles focus on music with roots in the African Diaspora. Faculty in group classes and ensembles offer technical and musicianship skills, music theory, history, and ensemble playing.
“When I teach singing, the first priority is to preserve the integrity of jazz and soul music. I want my singers to understand how Black music has redefined and shaped popular culture. The emotion and feeling comes when we recognize the meaning of songs like ‘What’s Going On’ (Marvin Gaye). I like to create an environment of fun creative expression. But, it’s important for my students to know that R&B, jazz, and blues are part of a broader experience. The harmony, rhythm, and lyrics are rooted in African heritage and born out of our struggles as people of color.” -Rita Lackey, faculty for the choirs: R&B Choir and More, IT Bookman, Downtown Senior Center Choir, and Visitacion Valley
TEENS
Teen Jazz Orchestra
TEENS & ADULTS
Beginning Voice
Black Music Ensemble: Funk, Soul, R&B, & Gospel
Cuban Charanga Ensemble
Cuban Popular Dance Music 101
Great Songs of Soul and R&B
R&B Choir and More…
Vocal Harmony Workshop
OLDER ADULTS
CMC Bayview Choir
CMC I.T. Bookman Choir
CMC Visitacion Valley Choir
