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.
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 💻
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
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 from Mexico and other parts of Latin America, as well as Spanish language translations of well loved English language children’s songs. The teacher will suggest and model movements and the use of percussion instruments to enable children and their families to interact using instruments and toys available in their own homes, and will lead musical games using appropriate props such as stuffed animals and puppets. Guest musicians may accompany the teacher on a variety of instruments over the course of the summer. Prior knowledge of Spanish is not necessary. More than one adult can attend with a registered child. Class is held in Spanish and English.
Ages: Children 0–4 years
Musical Styles: Music of Latin America
Prerequisites: None.
Class size: 4–6 families
Locations, Days and Times:
Mission District Branch, Wednesdays, 9:00–9:45am*
Instructor: Susan Peña
*Spring Quarter 2022: CMC Chiquitos will be offered as an outdoor drop-in class at Accion Latina. Visit the Musical Storytime page to learn more.
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: $390 Fall (14 weeks), $334 Winter (12 weeks), $278 Spring (10 weeks), $223 Summer (8 weeks)
*This class will not meet Spring Quarter 2022
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
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. Together with the experience of making music, dancing and singing, your child will learn some basic musical vocabulary and concepts: tone, rhythm, (beat, tempo).
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:
Wednesdays, 3:00–3:45pm for ages 4–7
Wednesdays, 3:45–4:30pm for ages 4–7
Richmond District Branch:
Saturdays, 9:30am–10:15am for ages 4–7
Saturdays, 10:30am–11:15am for ages 4–7
Saturdays, 11:30am–12:15pm for ages 4–7
Instructors:
Mission District Branch: Irene Chagall
Richmond District Branch: Diane Aurelius
Tuition: $390 Fall (14 weeks), $334 Winter (12 weeks), $278 Spring (10 weeks), $223 Summer (8 weeks)
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
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. Instruction is aimed at ensemble playing rather than individualized instruction on an instrument.
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: Katrina Wreede (Chamber Music Director); with Sin-Tung Chiu, Jennifer Peringer, Loretta Taylor, Betty Wong, Shirley Wong-Frentzel, others TBA
Tuition: $559 Fall (14 weeks), $479 Winter (12 weeks), $399 Spring (10 weeks), $319 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
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.
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. Class does not meet during summer.
Instructor: Marcus Shelby
Tuition: No tuition or registration fee.
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team or speak to the instructor on your first day of class.
Online Class 💻
Do you play some ukulele but have always wanted to sing while you play? Do you like to sing but want to accompany yourself on the ukulele? This fun intergenerational class is for ages 10 to 90. Great repertoire for all!
You’ll learn to improve your rhythm, get in tune (both your instrument and your voice), extend your range, sing and play more precisely, and to prepare a song (or few) to perform for your friends and family!
Ages: Adults and kids (elementary, middle, high school)
Instruments: Ukuleles
Musical Styles: Various and responsive to student interest
Class size: 3–8 students
Prerequisites: No experience is necessary.
Location, Day and Time: Tuesdays, 4:00–5:30pm*
Instructor: Beth Wilmurt
Tuition: $559 Fall (14 weeks), $479 Winter (12 weeks), $399 Spring (10 weeks), $319 Summer (8 weeks)
*This class will not meet Spring Quarter 2022
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
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: Adults and kids (elementary, middle, high school)
Instruments: Ukuleles
Musical Styles: Various and responsive to student interest
Class size: 2–12 students
Prerequisites: No experience is necessary.
Location, Day and Time: Saturdays, 3:30–5:00pm*
Instructor: Sandy Brassard
Tuition: $559 Fall (14 weeks), $479 Winter (12 weeks), $399 Spring (10 weeks), $319 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
*This class will not meet Spring Quarter 2022
For enrollment, please make an appointment with CMC’s registration team.
