Performance Departments

Chamber Music

Established in 1985 as the first degree chamber program in the country, the Chamber Music Department at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music offers a unique program of study for strings and piano leading to either the Master of Music degree or Artist Certificate in chamber music. An important aspect of this program is the apprentice concept of students, faculty and guest artists rehearsing and performing together on a regular basis. At least four hours of weekly coaching, two hours of masterclten hours of rehearsal and weekly private lessons are offered to chamber music majors.

CHAMBER MUSIC DEPARTMENT: AT A GLANCE
  • Nine chamber music faculty
  • Small department of ten graduate students enrolled in either the M.M. or the Artist Certificate programs
  • Frequent opportunities to be coached by chamber music faculty
  • Guest artists offer master classes and collaborative performances throughout the year
  • Apprentice model of students, faculty and world-renowned guest chamber artists
  • Inter-departmental opportunities
  • Career development
  • Extensive performance opportunities, both at the Conservatory and in the Bay Area
  • Students in the program have competed in major chamber music competitions such as the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, The Plowman Chamber Music Competition, and The Coleman Chamber Music Competition
  • Chamber music students have participated in prestigious chamber music festivals such as Kneisel Hall, Yellow Barn, the Taos Summer School of Music Chamber Festival, and Music@Menlo
  • Recent graduates have gone on to form chamber music groups that include the Del Sol String Quartet and the Afiara String Quartet
  • 2012-2013 Conservatory chamber season includes:
    • Master class and performance with Kim Kashkashian, viola
    • Master class and performance with Bonnie Hampton, cello
    • Master class and performance with Menahem Pressler, piano
    • Master class and performance with Donald Weilerstein, violin
    • Numerous additional student chamber music concerts

FACULTY

Jennifer Culp, cello
Jean-Michel Fonteneau, cello
Paul Hersh, piano/viola
Jodi Levitz, viola; co-chair, string and piano chamber music department
Mack McCray, piano; co-chair, string and piano chamber music department
Bettina Mussumeli, violin
Mark Sokol, chamber coach
Ian Swensen, violin

We encourage prospective students to contact the chamber music faculty to arrange a consultative lesson. The chamber music faculty and the Office of Music Admission are happy to answer any specific questions that you have about our program.