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 DAS. 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 60 and above) and/or persons 18 years of age or older with a disability. 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)
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 💻
CMC and our partners prioritize the health and safety of students, faculty, and community members. We continue to closely monitor guidelines from the CDC and local public health officials. Please note that these classes are subject to change between in-person and online due to partner facility policies and public health updates. Updates for individual choirs will be listed online, and communicated to participants by staff and faculty.
Online Class 💻
This choir for older adults and adults with disabilities (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 60 and above) and adults with disabilities
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;
Tuesdays, 9:45–11:45am
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
Online Class 💻
This choir for older adults and adults with disabilities 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 60 and above) and adults with disabilities
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 *This class will meet online until further notice
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
Online Class 💻
CMC Bayanihan Equity Center Choir will meet online September 2021 and return to in-person rehearsals in October 2021.
This choir for older adults and adults with disabilities 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 60 and above) and adults with disabilities
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
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 and adults with disabilities 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 of 60 and above and adults with disabilities
Musical Styles: Show tunes and oldies
Prerequisites: No prior singing experience is needed. Pre-regisration required for Fall 2021. Admission with instructor’s consent. Must be a resident of San Francisco to join.
Class Size: 40 singers
Location, Day and Time:
Fall Quarter 2021 classes begin September 15 at CMC Mission District Branch, 544 Capp St. San Francisco 94110
Wednesdays, 12:30–2:00pm
*Class will move back to Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center, 515 Cortland Ave, San Francisco when safety policies allow
Wednesdays, 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
Pre-regisration required for Fall Quarter 2021. Contact Chantel Hernandez at chernandez@sfcmc.org or (415) 742-1507
This choir for older adults and adults with disabilities 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 60 and above and adults with disabilities
Musical Styles: Show tunes and oldies
Prerequisites: No prior singing experience is needed. Pre-registration required for Fall 2021. Admission with instructor’s consent.
Class Size: 40 singers
Location, Day and Time:
Fall Quarter 2021 classes begin September 13 at CMC Mission District Branch, 544 Capp St. San Francisco 94110
Mondays, 1:00–2:30pm
*Class will move back to Castro Senior Center, 110 Diamond Street, San Francisco on Thursday afternoons when safety policies allow.
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
Pre-regisration required for Fall Quarter 2021. Contact Chantel Hernandez at chernandez@sfcmc.org or (415) 742-1507
This choir for older adults and adults with disabilities 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 60 and above) and adults with disabilities
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
Online Class 💻
This choir for older adults and adults with disabilities is a collaboration between Community Music Center and Catholic Charities-OMI 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 60 and above) and adults with disabilities
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, 10:30am–12:00pm *This class will meet online until further notice
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
Online Class 💻
The choir for older adults and adults with disabilities 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 60 and above) and adults with disabilities
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 *This class will meet online until further notice
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 and adults with disabilities 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 60 and above) and adults with disabilities
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; The first class (September 3) will be held online, and will begin in-person rehearsal September 10.
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 and adults with disabilities 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 60 and above) and adults with disabilities
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
Online Class 💻
This choir for older adults and adults with disabilities 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 60 and above) and adults with disabilities
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 10:30am–12:00pm
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 and adults with disabilities 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 60 and above) and adults with disabilities
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
