Tuition-Free Programs

CMC is known nationwide for creating tuition-free music programs that address critical community needs.

Children's Chorus

Intro to Musical Theater

New Voices Bay Area TIGQ Chorus

Neighborhood Choir Program for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities

Songs & Stories Intergenerational Ensemble

Teen Jazz Orchestra

YOUNG MUSICIANS PROGRAMS

CMC’s Young Musicians Program, a partnership with the San Francisco Unified School District, brings the many benefits of music—artistic, educational, personal, and social—to middle and high school students. Since 1987, this tuition-free, award-winning program embraces diversity, and offers a comprehensive, culturally diverse curriculum. Group classes explore theory, musicianship, and composition. Ensemble classes may play Latin, classical, jazz and other music forms in orchestra, chamber groups, combos and bands.

Students who are nominated by their public school teacher audition each Spring for the following academic year. If accepted, students are eligible for a full scholarship that provides students with weekly free private instrumental lessons, theory, musicianship and ensemble classes for the academic year. The YMP program focuses on serving middle and high school students from low-income San Francisco households.

Students who are nominated by CMC private lesson teachers are eligible for a scholarship for group theory/musicianship and ensemble classes for the academic year.

Mission District Young Musicians Program (MDYMP)

The tuition-free Mission District Young Musicians Program (MDYMP) offers a comprehensive music education with a focus on Latin music. It primarily serves Latino youth from the Mission District who are nominated by their public school music teachers, CMC teachers, and community organizations. The curriculum focuses on music of Latin America and is taught by bilingual (Spanish/English) instructors. Group classes take place at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts each Saturday and private lessons can take place at either CMC branch. Students perform in December and June, and will have additional performance opportunities off-site. Classes do not meet during summer.

Ages: 12-18
Instruments: All and voice
Musical Styles: Latin (traditional and popular)
Prerequisites: Minimum two years playing an instrument or singing. Students nominated by their public school teacher must remain in their school music programs during the program to qualify. Students nominated by their CMC teacher must stay in their private lessons at CMC to qualify. Admission is based on both need and merit.
Class size: 25 students working in smaller groups
Location, Days and Times:
Private lessons: CMC’s Mission or Richmond District Branch
Group class: Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, Saturdays from 10:00am-12:00pm
Instructors: Chantel Hernandez (Coordinator), Eva (“Nena”) Aldaz, Miguel Govea, Charlie Gurke, Erick Peralta, Tregar Otton, Juan Ceballos
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee (scholarship program)

How to apply: Admission is by recommendation from the student’s school music teacher, CMC private lesson teacher, or community organization, plus an audition during the spring. For more information or to make a nomination, contact Program Director Sylvia Sherman at ssherman@sfcmc.org.

Young Musicians Program

Ages: 12-18
Instruments: All
Musical Styles: Classical, jazz, popular, music theory, composition, musicianship
Prerequisites: Minimum of two years playing an instrument. Must be nominated to audition. Students nominated by their public school teacher must remain in their school music programs during the program to qualify. Students nominated by their CMC teacher must stay in their private lessons at CMC to qualify. Admission is based on both student merit and instruments needed for ensembles. Classes do not meet during summer.
Class size: Small chamber ensembles to chamber orchestra, 4–15 students per ensemble
Locations, Days and Times:
Private lessons: Mission District Branch or Richmond District Branch scheduled with registrars
Group classes: CMC’s Mission District Branch, Saturdays
Middle School Level: 12:00–2:00pm
High School Level: 10:00am–12:00pm (with some classes starting at 9:00am)
Instructors: Leo Baluk, Christian Bonvin, Scott Foster, David Steinberg, Katrina Wreede (Coordinator), Ava Gehlen-Williams, Michael Long
Tuition: Full-tuition scholarship or CMC private lesson fees only.

How to Apply: Admission is by recommendation from the student’s school music teacher, community organization, or CMC private teacher plus audition during the spring or early fall. Early auditions are recommended. For more information or to make a nomination, contact Program Director Sylvia Sherman at ssherman@sfcmc.org.

Accompanist

Private Lesson

Accordion

Private Lesson

Advanced Jazz Ensemble

Explore a standard jazz repertoire in a dynamic, participatory setting. The advanced ensemble plays the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard, and others; with emphasis on communicating as an ensemble, improvising, phrasing, groove, and dynamics to make the music come alive. There will be a culminating performance at Community Music Center at the end of each quarter. Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students) Instruments: Brass, woodwinds, strings and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass and drums) Musical Styles: Jazz standards, be-bop, blues, Latin jazz Prerequisites: Proficiency on an instrument, mastery of scales, and prior experience in improvisation. Admission with instructor’s consent. New students will be asked to audition. Instructor: Charlie Gurke Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a discount on class tuition. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.Online signup for this class is unavailable. Submit a Prerequisite Form to get started!

Afro-Peruvian Cajon

In this class participants will learn about the history of the Afro-Peruvian Cajon (wooden box drum), and will learn to play Afro-Peruvian rhythms on the Cajon. The Afro-Peruvian Cajon has become a symbol of identity and cultural pride for Peruvians. Currently it is the most popular instrument in Peru, practically every family on the Peruvian coast has a Cajon at home that is part of their celebrations. Furthermore, we can recognize the versatility of this instrument that has allowed it to successfully position itself in world music, being one of the most used alternatives in the percussion sets of various artists Instruments: Cajon (percussion) Musical Styles: Afro-Peruvian Ages: Adults and older teens Prerequisites: none Teacher: Pierr Padilla Cajons will be provided during class sessions. If students have their own cajon, they are welcome to bring it! Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a discount on class tuition. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.

Anything Goes Chorus I

Beginning Vocal Ensemble Join this fun and supportive environment to learn basic vocal and breathing technique, how to support your tone, beginning note reading skills, simple harmonies, and rounds. This beginning singing class is designed for singers with little to no experience. It is focused on group singing, but also incorporates individual singing. Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students) Instrument: Voices of all ranges Musical Styles: Folk, popular, jazz Instructor: Ellen RobinsonMask requirement: TBA. Students may be required to wear an N95 "Singer’s Mask" during this class depending on the public health status. It's important to acknowledge that Anything Goes Chorus is an intergenerational group, with some members being vulnerable themselves or residing with vulnerable individuals. The specific recommended mask is the Resonance 95 Singers Mask, available at mymusicfolders.com/product/resonance-95-mask/. Individuals who do not possess this mask or are unable to acquire it before the first class are advised to wear a regular N95 mask as an alternative.Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.

Anything Goes Chorus II

Intermediate/Advanced Vocal Ensemble For vocalists who love to harmonize in a wide variety of musical styles such as jazz, Broadway, pop and R&B. Enjoy interacting with other singers in this lively chorus while continuing to develop your vocal technique, music reading skills, blending with other voices and your stage presence. Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students) Instrument: Voices of all ranges, especially baritone and tenor Musical Styles: Jazz, Broadway, a cappella, pop Prerequisites: The ability to sing in tune, hold your own while singing in three part harmony, and have some music reading skills. Previous choral experience is a plus. Prior approval of instructor is required. Instructor: Ellen Robinson Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a 50% discount on this class tuition.Mask requirement: TBA. Students may be required to wear an N95 "Singer’s Mask" during this class depending on the public health status. It's important to acknowledge that Anything Goes Chorus is an intergenerational group, with some members being vulnerable themselves or residing with vulnerable individuals.The specific recommended mask is the Resonance 95 Singers Mask, available at mymusicfolders.com/product/resonance-95-mask/ Individuals who do not possess this mask or are unable to acquire it before the first class are advised to wear a regular N95 mask as an alternative. Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.Online signup for this class is unavailable. Submit a Prerequisite Form to get started!

Banjo

Private Lesson

Bass (acoustic)

Private Lesson

Bass (electric)

Private Lesson

Beginning Group Guitar for Adults

Learn chords, simple strums, and tuning in a fun, relaxed group setting. You’ll be introduced to the basic elements of rhythm and harmony that will help you to play music right away! Guitar 1 is for the absolute beginner.Students leave Guitar 1 with the following:Basic open position chords: A, D, E, G, C, Am, Em, A7, B7, D7, E7, G7Basic strums in 4/4 and 3/4 timeI-IV-V tunes in A, D, G, and EKnowledge of how to read a “lead sheet”The desire to keep playingAges: Adults and older teens (high school students) Instruments: Guitar Musical Styles: Diverse, based on participant interests Prerequisites: none Instructor: Sandy Brassard Size: 4-6 studentsThis class prepares you for Guitar Group Class - Learning Songs, Bluegrass Jam, Blues Workshop and other Group Guitar and Mixed Instrument ensemblesStudents enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a discount on class tuition. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.

Beginning Jazz Ensemble

CMC offers jazz ensembles for players of all levels. Explore jazz repertoire in a dynamic, participatory setting.The Beginning Jazz Ensemble focuses on building standard repertoire, improvisation concepts, and developing ensemble skills. Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students) Instruments: Brass, woodwinds, strings and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass and drums) Musical Styles: Jazz standards, be-bop, blues, Latin jazz Prerequisites: Proficiency on an instrument, knowledge of scales, and some experience in improvisation. Instructors: Erick Peralta, Charlie Gurke, David SteinbergStudents enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a discount on class tuition. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.Online signup for this class is unavailable. Submit a Prerequisite Form to get started!

Beginning Voice

Learn beginning vocal technique and interpretive skills in a fun group setting. You’ll gain experience learning to sing in healthy ways by focusing on body alignment, breath management, and vowel formation. This class will support a student’s process in stylistically interpreting a piece of music through additional research and study. Topics and activities for classes include exploring the singing apparatus, vocalizing with exercises using scales and arpeggios, interpreting music and text, developing stage presence, and working with a collaborative pianist. Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students) Musical Styles: All styles are welcome Prerequisites: Students must be prepared to learn and memorize music and text Instructor: Michael Mohammed Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a discount on class tuition. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling. This class prepares you for Vocal Harmony Workshop, Anything Goes Chorus, Great Songs of Soul and R&B, Gospel Vocal Ensemble and/or other mixed instrument ensembles that include vocals.

Blues Workshop

This Electric Blues workshop will introduce students to the wide variety of blues grooves that one might encounter at a blues jam. We'll listen and learn from the recordings performed by the original artists that define a particular groove e.g., a Magic Sam boogie, an Albert King blues rhumba/mambo, a Jimmy Reed shuffle, a B.B. King jump blues, a Muddy Waters 'mojo' groove, a Lowell Fulson 'tramp' groove, and much more. Ensemble playing and individual improvisation will be encouraged with a focus on group interaction and the supporting role each individual instrument plays in establishing the groove. Ages: adult, older teens (high school) Instruments: guitar (electric), bass (electric), piano, drums, brass/woodwinds Prerequisites: Intermediate playing proficiency on your instrument, ability to play 7th and 9th chords (barred for guitars), have some major scale and blues scale knowledge, read a simple chord chart Instructor: Larry Dunn Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a discount on class tuition. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.Online signup for this class is unavailable. Submit a Prerequisite Form to get started!

Brazilian Candomblé Drumming

Learn traditional Afro Brazilian rhythms in a unique group setting. You will have a chance to study the techniques that makeup this musical language which has influenced other well known Brazilian musical styles such as samba and samba reggae. While some techniques are similar to that of the conga or djembe, the hand and stick techniques in this tradition will lead you into new sonic territories. This class will introduce you to many duplet and triplet based rhythms along with areas that are a mixture of the two and exist in between common rhythmic divisions. Students will gain insight into how this music fits into the song and dance context and how these elements combine to create a captivating atmosphere which is an essential cultural practice linking West Africa to the Americas. Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students) Musical Styles: All styles are welcome Prerequisites: Students must be prepared to learn and memorize several rhythmic patterns along with several hand and stick techniques Instructor: Robert Lopez Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a discount on class tuition. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.

Cello

Private Lesson

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CMC is known nationwide for creating tuition-free music programs that address critical community needs.

YOUNG MUSICIANS PROGRAMS

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