CMC developed our Older Adult Choir Program to provide the many personal, social, artistic, and quality of life benefits that musical activity can bring to older adults. Learn more about our program’s partners, history, and successes by visiting Community Partnerships.
The program has grown as choirs have cycled out of the Community of Voices research study led by UCSF in partnership with CMC and DAAS. For information on the study click HERE. To download the Program Manual for organizing an older adult choir program, visit the UCSF Community of Voices Program Manual. More information may be found in this article published in the Grantmakers in the Arts Reader.
The following tuition-free choirs are designed specifically for older adults (ages 55 and above). CMC also welcomes older adults in all of its classes and private lessons.
Community Music Center offers our Older Adult Choir program in partnership with 12 Department of Aging and Adult Services senior centers across San Francisco. Get a glimpse of it in this 5-minute video by Nina Goodby.
A 10-minute version is available in CMC’s Photo and Video Gallery.
For more information about Older Adult Choirs, Contact Coordinator Michelle Navarrete at (415) 647-6015 x 181 or email choirs@sfcmc.org
CMC Grievance Policy (PDF)
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.
This choir for older adults (a.k.a. “Coro de la 30”) is a collaboration between Community Music Center and the 30th Street Senior Center. The choir sings in Spanish, English and Tagalog and the class is taught bilingually in Spanish and English. Choir members rehearse weekly, help organize rehearsals and performances, and perform in the community.
Ages: Older adults (age 55 and above)
Musical Styles: Popular and folk music from Latin America, the US and the Philippines.
Prerequisites: No prior singing experience is needed. Admission with instructor’s consent. All students must be willing to sing in three languages.
Class Size: 40 singers
Location, Day and Time: 30th Street Senior Center, 225 30th Street;
Mondays, 9:45–11:45am
Choir does not meet during Summer Quarter.
Instructors: Martha Rodríguez-Salazar, director; Jennifer Peringer, accompanist
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
How to join: Contact the Older Adult Choir Coordinator for more registration information: (415) 647-6015 x 181 or email choirs@sfcmc.org
This choir for older adults is a collaboration between Community Music Center and San Francisco Senior Center at Aquatic Park Center. The choir sings show tunes, jazz, Americana and folk songs. Choir members practice, sing, help organize performances, and perform in the community.
Ages: Older adults (age 55 and above)
Musical Styles: Show tunes, jazz, Americana, folk
Prerequisites: No prior singing experience is needed. Admission with instructor’s consent.
Class Size: 35 singers
Location, Day and Time:
Aquatic Park Center, 890 Beach Street, San Francisco;
Thursdays, 1:00–2:30pm
Choir does not meet Summer Quarter.
Instructors: Beth Wilmurt, director and accompanist
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
How to join: Contact the Older Adult Choir Coordinator for more registration information: (415) 647-6015 x 181 or email choirs@sfcmc.org
This choir for older adults is a collaboration between Community Music Center and the Bayanihan Equity Center. The choir sings songs in Tagalog, as well as other languages. Choir members practice, sing, help organize performances, and perform in the community.
Ages: Older adults (age 55 and above)
Musical Styles: Songs in Tagalog and other languages
Prerequisites: No prior singing experience is needed. Admission is with instructor’s consent.
Class Size: 15 singers
Location, Day and Time:
Bayanihan Equity Center, 1010 Mission Street, San Francisco;
Wednesdays, 3:00–4:30 pm
Choir does not meet Summer Quarter.
Instructors: Robin Estrada, director and accompanist
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
How to join: Contact the Older Adult Choir Coordinator for more registration information: (415) 647-6015 x 181 or email choirs@sfcmc.org
This choir for older adults is a collaboration between Community Music Center, Bayview Hunters Point Multipurpose Senior Services, Armstrong Place Senior Housing, and the Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center. The choir sings gospel and jazz songs. Choir members practice, sing, help organize performances, and perform in the community. This Choir rehearses with the Visitacion Valley Older Adult Choir. When choir is able to meet in person, transportation is arranged.
Ages: Older adults (age 55 and above)
Musical Styles: Gospel, jazz and popular music
Prerequisites: No prior singing experience is needed. Admission is with instructor’s consent.
Class Size: 15 singers
Location, Day and Time: This group rehearses with the Visitacion Valley Older Adult Choir,
Visitacion Valley Family Center, 66 Raymond Ave; Thursdays, 12:30–2:00pm
Choir does not meet Summer Quarter.
Instructors: Rita Lackey, director and accompanist
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
How to join: Contact the Older Adult Choir Coordinator for more registration information: (415) 647-6015 x 181 or email choirs@sfcmc.org
This choir for older adults is a collaboration between Community Music Center and Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center. The choir sings show tunes and oldies. Choir members practice, sing, help organize performances, and perform in the community.
Ages: Older adults (age 55 and above)
Musical Styles: Show tunes and oldies
Prerequisites: No prior singing experience is needed. Admission with instructor’s consent.
Class Size: 40 singers
Location, Day and Time:
Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center, 515 Cortland Ave, San Francisco
Wednesdays, 1:15–2:45pm
Choir does not meet Summer Quarter.
Instructors: Billy Philadelphia, director and accompanist
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
How to join: Contact the Older Adult Choir Coordinator for more registration information: (415) 647-6015 x 181 or email choirs@sfcmc.org
This choir for older adults is a collaboration between Community Music Center and Castro Senior Center. The choir sings show tunes and oldies. Choir members practice, sing, help organize performances, and perform in the community.
Ages: Older adults (age 55 and above)
Musical Styles: Show tunes and oldies
Prerequisites: No prior singing experience is needed. Admission with instructor’s consent.
Class Size: 40 singers
Location, Day and Time:
Castro Senior Center, 110 Diamond Street, San Francisco
Thursdays, 1:00–2:30pm
Choir does not meet Summer Quarter.
Instructors: Billy Philadelphia, director and accompanist
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
How to join: Contact the Older Adult Choir Coordinator for more registration information: (415) 647-6015 x 181 or email choirs@sfcmc.org
This choir for older adults is a collaboration between Community Music Center and I.T. Bookman Community Center. The choir sings gospel, jazz and popular songs. Choir members practice, sing, help organize performances, and perform in the community.
Ages: Older adults (age 55 and above)
Musical Styles: Gospel, jazz and popular music
Prerequisites: No prior singing experience is needed. Admission is with instructor’s consent.
Class Size: 25 singers
Location, Day and Time:
I.T. Bookman Community Center, 446 Randolph Street San Francisco;
Thursdays, 10:00–11:30am
Choir does not meet Summer Quarter.
Instructors: Rita Lackey, director and accompanist
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
How to join: Contact the Older Adult Choir Coordinator for more registration information: (415) 647-6015 x 181 or email choirs@sfcmc.org
This choir for older adults is a collaboration between Community Music Center and OMI-Catholic Charities Senior Center. The choir sings show tunes, jazz, Americana and folk songs. Choir members practice, sing, help organize performances, and perform in the community.
Ages: Older adults (age 55 and above)
Musical Styles: Show tunes, jazz, Americana, folk
Prerequisites: No prior singing experience is needed. Admission with instructor’s consent.
Class Size: 35 singers
Location, Day and Time:
OMI Senior Center, 65 Beverly St, San Francisco;
Fridays, 12:30–2:00pm
Choir does not meet Summer Quarter.
Instructors: Beth Wilmurt, Director; Richard Daquioag, accompanist
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
How to join: Contact the Older Adult Choir Coordinator for more registration information: (415) 647-6015 x 181 or email choirs@sfcmc.org
The choir for older adults is a collaboration between Community Music Center, the Richmond Neighborhood Center, and the Richmond Senior Center. The choir sings show tunes, jazz, Americana and folk songs. Choir members practice, sing, help organize performances, and perform in the community.
Ages: Older adults (age 55 and above)
Musical Styles: Show tunes, jazz, Americana, folk
Prerequisites: No prior singing experience is needed. Admission with instructor’s consent.
Class Size: 35 singers
Location, Day and Time:
Richmond Neighborhood Center, 741 30th Avenue, San Francisco;
Tuesdays, 10:15–11:45am
Choir does not meet Summer Quarter.
Instructors: Beth Wilmurt, director and accompanist
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
How to join: Contact the Older Adult Choir Coordinator for more registration information: (415) 647-6015 x 181 or email choirs@sfcmc.org
This choir for older adults is a collaboration between Community Music Center and the Mission Neighborhood Center. The choir sings songs in Spanish from Latin America and the class is taught bilingually in Spanish and English. Choir members practice, sing, help organize performances, and perform in the community.
Ages: Older adults (age 55 and above)
Musical Styles: Songs in Spanish from Mexico and Latin America. El coro canta canciones latinoamericanas en español.
Prerequisites: No prior singing experience is needed. Admission with instructor’s consent. Non-Spanish speakers are welcome but all
students must be willing to sing in Spanish.
Class Size: 50 singers
Location, Day and Time: Mission Neighborhood Center, 362 Capp Street (between 18th and 19th Streets);
Fridays, 1:00–3:00pm
Choir does not meet Summer Quarter.
Instructors: Martha Rodríguez-Salazar, director; Jennifer Peringer, accordion
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
Choir does not meet during summer quarter
How to join: Contact the Older Adult Choir Coordinator for more registration information: (415) 647-6015 x 181 or email choirs@sfcmc.org
This choir for older adults is a collaboration between Community Music Center and Felton/Family Service Agency. The choir sings gospel, jazz and popular songs. Choir members practice, sing, help organize performances, and perform in the community.
Ages: Older adults (age 55 and above)
Musical Styles: Gospel, jazz and popular music
Prerequisites: No prior singing experience is needed. Admission is with instructor’s consent.
Class Size: 40 singers
Location, Day and Time:
Visitacion Valley Family Center, at 66 Raymond Street, San Francisco.
Thursdays, 12:30–2:00 pm
Choir does not meet Summer Quarter.
Instructors: Rita Lackey, director and accompanist
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
How to join: Contact the Older Adult Choir Coordinator for more registration information: (415) 647-6015 x 181 or email choirs@sfcmc.org
This choir for older adults is a collaboration between Community Music Center and the Bayview Hunterspoint Multipurpose Senior Services and Western Addition Senior Center. The choir sings gospel, jazz and popular songs. Choir members practice, sing, help organize performances, and perform in the community.
Ages: Older adults (age 55 and above)
Musical Styles: Gospel, jazz and popular music
Prerequisites: No prior singing experience is needed. Admission is with instructor’s consent.
Class Size: 15 singers
Location, Day and Time:
Western Addition Senior Center, 1390 -1/2 Turk Street, SF, CA 94115.
Wednesdays 10:00–11:30am
Choir does not meet Summer Quarter.
Instructors: Maestro Curtis and Nola Curtis, co-directors
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
How to join: Contact the Older Adult Choir Coordinator for more registration information: (415) 647-6015 x 181 or email choirs@sfcmc.org
This choir for older adults is a collaboration between Community Music Center and Centro Latino de San Francisco Community Center. The choir sings songs in Spanish from Latin America and the class is taught bilingually in Spanish and English. Choir members practice, sing, help organize performances, and perform in the community.
Ages: Older adults (age 55 and above)
Musical Styles: Songs in Spanish from Mexico and Latin America, and songs in other languages from around the world. El coro canta principalmente canciones latinoamericanas en español.
Prerequisites: No prior singing experience is needed. Admission with instructor’s consent. Non-Spanish speakers are welcome but all
students must be willing to sing in Spanish.
Class Size: 25 singers
Location, Day and Time:
Centro Latino de San Francisco, 1656 15th St. SF CA 94103
Thursdays, 1:30–3:00pm
Choir does not meet Summer Quarter.
Instructors: Martha Rodríguez-Salazar, director; Jennifer Peringer, accordion
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
How to join: Contact the Older Adult Choir Coordinator for more registration information: (415) 647-6015 x 181 or email choirs@sfcmc.org
