CMC offers group music opportunities for kids of all ages, from babies and toddlers to teens. All classes are offered on a sliding scale, and our Children’s Chorus and Teen Jazz Orchestra are tuition-free. Private music lessons are also available on over 30 instruments.
Children discover their voices and learn to sing with a group in the Children’s Chorus. Students are introduced to musical skills to become careful listeners, better singers, and build confidence in an environment that emphasizes cooperation, teamwork and fun. With a patient and supportive approach to learning music, children are encouraged to express themselves and develop a lifelong love of singing.
No experience is required to sing in this free chorus.
Ages: Children ages 8-12
Instrument: Voices of all ranges
Musical Styles: Popular, jazz, multicultural folk, showtunes, originals
Prerequisites: A strong desire to sing and families committed to supporting their children’s experience
Class size: Maximum 25 students
Location, Days and Times: Mission District Branch, Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:00–5:30pm
Instructors: Beth Wilmurt, Director; John Kyrk, Accompanist.
Tuition: None. $47 annual registration fee.
Class does not meet during the summer
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team or speak to the instructor on your first day of class.
This family-friendly bilingual music class introduces babies and toddlers to Spanish and music through singing and musical play. Parents and caregivers join their children to sing the songs of Latin America with an emphasis on Mexican music. More than one adult can attend with a registered child. Class is held in Spanish and English.
Ages: Children 0–4 years
Instrument: Voice and percussion instruments provided by CMC
Musical Styles: Music of Latin America
Prerequisites: None.
Class size: 4–6 families
Locations, Days and Times:
Mission District Branch, Thursdays, 11:00–11:45am
Instructor: Susan Peña
Tuition: $371 Fall (14 weeks), $318 Winter (12 weeks), $265 Spring (10 weeks), $212 Summer (8 weeks)
This course is designed to introduce kids to Latin American rhythms, singing songs in Spanish, and the joy of making music in a group. Students will learn about dynamics, sound quality, staying in rhythm, following the conductor, and listening. No experience is necessary to participate!
Ages: Children ages 8-12
Musical Styles: Latin American rhythms
Class Size: 3-5 students
Location, Days and Times:
Mission District Branch
Mondays 5:15 – 6:15pm
Instructors: Omar Ledezma Jr. with guest artists
Tuition: $371 Fall (14 weeks), $265 Winter (10 weeks), $265 Spring (10 weeks), $212 Summer (8 weeks)
Give your child the gift of music from their earliest days. Caregivers and parents play music and sing along with their babies and toddlers. Children can explore signing, dancing, drums, and percussion instruments. We welcome more than one adult to attend.
Ages: Children 0–3 years
Instrument: Voice and percussion instruments provided by CMC
Musical Styles: Rhythmic rhymes and songs from many folk traditions
Prerequisites: None
Class size: 2–6 families
Location, Days and Times:
Mission District Branch, Tuesdays, 9:30–10:15am.
Instructor: Diane Aurelius
Tuition: $371 Fall (14 weeks), $318 Winter (12 weeks), $265 Spring (10 weeks), $212 Summer (8 weeks)
*This class has been cancelled for Winter Quarter and Spring Quarter 2020
Kids learn to play guitar in a fun and supportive group setting with some of their favorite songs. This hands-on class helps kids play music right away. Students learn rhythm, melody, creating a good tone, and listening so they can play music with others. Kids explore folk, rock, pop, and world music together in a social environment, building confidence along with music basics. Practicing at home will be necessary for the best experience.
It is highly recommended that children enroll during the Fall Quarter. Each quarter will have a different focus and will build on the prior quarter’s content. Fall Quarter will focus on melody and rhythm, Winter Quarter on chords and songs, and Spring Quarter on reading music.
Ages: Children ages 8–12
Musical Styles: Folk, rock, pop and world music
Class Size: Maximum 5 students
Locations, Days and Times:
Mission District Branch. Wednesdays, 4:30–5:30pm
Instructor: Erik Pearson
Tuition: $371 Fall (14 weeks), $265 Winter (10 weeks), $265 Spring (10 weeks), $212 Summer (8 weeks)
This group class teaches kids musical skills through rhythm games, singing, creative movement, dancing, musical play, and the use of instruments. These music lessons give fun, positive, and successful musical experiences to children, inspiring a lifelong love of music.
Children are introduced to the musical instruments of the symphony orchestras (percussion, brass, strings, and woodwinds) and other musical traditions, while experimenting with how the instruments make the sounds that become music.
Music for Children teaches important musical skills in a supportive group environment, easing the way to success in private music lessons.
Ages: Children ages 4–7
Instrument: Orff instruments, such as xylophones and hand drums (provided), voice
Prerequisites: None.
Class size: 5–8 students
Locations, Days and Times:
Mission District Branch, Mondays and Wednesdays
Mondays:
4:00–4:45pm for ages 4–7
Wednesdays:
3:45–4:30pm for ages 4–5
4:30–5:15pm for ages 4–5
5:30–6:15pm for ages 6–7
6:30–7:15pm for ages 6–7 *This section of Music for Children has been cancelled for Winter Quarter 2020
Richmond District Branch, Saturdays:
9:30am–10:15am for ages 4–7
For enrollment at the Richmond Branch, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
Instructors:
Mission District Branch: Irene Chagall
Richmond District Branch: Diane Aurelius
Tuition: $371 Fall (14 weeks); $318 Winter Wednesdays and Saturdays (12 weeks), $246 Winter Mondays (10 weeks); $265 Spring (10 weeks), $212 (8 weeks)
Chamber music, which is playing in a small group setting, can greatly improve a student’s playing, and is a helpful supplement for any student in a school band or orchestra program. Small groups may be formed in classical, jazz or Latin music.
Four-Hand Piano Duos: Intermediate and advanced piano students may connect through the chamber music program to play classical duets. Four-hand piano is a fun way to apply what you’ve learned and pick up new skills that may also introduce you to chamber music with strings and winds. A bonus, unique to this program, is that both players develop the valuable techniques of accompaniment. Opportunities arise when two students introduce themselves or are matched by a teacher, or one player in a former duo is looking for a partner. This is how lasting friendships as well as great performing groups are created!
Ages: All ages
Instruments: All and voice
Musical Styles: All
Prerequisites:
Students should have at least two years of experience playing their instrument. Placement auditions for new students take place at the beginning of each quarter in order to create groups who play at similar levels. Beginning students should be familiar with key signature with up to three sharps and flats, and basic rhythms including eighth notes.
Class size: 2-5 students
Locations, Days and Times: Mission District Branch OR Richmond District Branch
Instructors:
Sin-Tung Chiu, Rachel Condry, Juliet McComas, Jennifer Peringer, Loretta Taylor, Betty Wong, Shirley Wong-Frentzel, others TBA
Tuition: $532 Fall (14 weeks), $456 Winter (12 weeks), $380 Spring (10 weeks), $304 Summer (8 weeks),
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
Recreate the immortal music of the Beatles while developing essential skills for ensemble playing! In preparation for performance the class will rehearse songs from the Beatles’ storied repertoire and explore the riffs, licks, and songwriting that defined a generation. All instruments are welcome as we conjure our inner Beatles!
Ages: 13–18
Instruments: Voice, woodwinds, brass, strings, drumset/percussion, piano
Musical Styles: Pop, rock, classical
Prerequisites: Interest and familiarity with Beatles music. Minimum of 2 years private study on instrument.
Class size: 3–6 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch, Thursdays, 5:00–6:30pm*
Instructor: Scott O’Day
Tuition: $532 Fall (14 weeks), $418 Winter (11 Weeks), $380 Spring (10 weeks), $304 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
*This class will not run Winter Quarter 2020. Interested students should make an appointment with a registrar to see whether they are a good fit for the all-ages Beatles class.
Teen Jazz Orchestra is an ensemble dedicated to performing the music of Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Count Basie, various other composers, and original compositions. The orchestra is led by composer, bassist, and teacher Marcus Shelby. Each class will include a discussion about the history of the music, development of the blues, theory, listening sessions, video, learning about key characters, and imagining the possibilities of the music. There will be a performance at the end of each quarter. The group performs at CMC and in community settings.
Ages: Teens
Instruments: Instrumentation includes (but is not limited to) alto sax, tenor sax, clarinet, baritone sax, trombone, trumpet, piano, bass, drums, guitar, violin, and vocals
Musical Styles: Jazz, rhythm and blues, funk, Latin jazz
Prerequisites: Strong interest, proficiency on an instrument, basic music reading skills, or instructor’s consent. Make an appointment to register or speak to the instructor on your first day of class.
Class size: 15-20 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch, Tuesdays, 4:15-6:15pm
Instructor: Marcus Shelby
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
Class does not meet during the Summer Quarter.
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team or speak to the instructor on your first day of class.
This class covers the basics of how to play ukulele in a fun group class environment. Though the class is aimed at beginners, all levels are welcome! Learn chords, songs, various strums, picking patterns, and playing in rhythm while singing along. You will also learn other useful skills like how to change the key of a song and playing together as a group.
Ages: Adult and kids (elementary, middle, high school)
Instruments: Ukuleles
Musical Styles: Various and responsive to student interest
Class size: 3–12
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch, Saturdays, 3:30–5:00pm
Instructor: Sandy Brassard
Tuition: $532 Fall (14 weeks); $456 Winter (12 weeks); $380 Spring (10 weeks), $304 Summer Quarter (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
