Performance Departments

Keyboard

The Conservatory's Keyboard Department offers courses of study in piano, piano accompanying, harpsichord and organ, with world-renowned faculty, exceptional instruments, small studio size and state-of-the-art facilities. Extensive performance opportunities, inter-departmental collaboration and frequent master classes, guest artists and competitions create a focused and energized study experience.
 
 PIANO DEPARTMENT: AT A GLANCE
  • Four faculty
  • Around 55 students in the piano program
  • 60 new Yamaha and Steinway pianos purchased in 2006, with move to new location in Civic Center
  • Piano Lending Program: pianos owned by the Conservatory are loaned to students free of charge for home use for the duration of their studies
  • Graduate degrees in chamber music for piano and piano accompanying
  • Annual Piano Concerto Competition, with winner performing with Conservatory Orchestra
  • Recent piano master classes include Jonathan Biss and Menaham Pressler

FACULTY 

Paul Hersh
Sharon Mann
Mack McCray chair, keyboard department
Yoshikazu Nagai 


HARPSICHORD DEPARTMENT: AT A GLANCE
  • Instruction in harpsichord, as well as fortepiano and continuo playing, offered by Corey Jamason, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels
  • Baroque keyboard literature classes and secondary harpsichord for pianists 
  • Small studio size 
  • Period instrument collection includes three harpsichords, one fortepiano and one clavichord 
  • Extensive performing opportunities in both large and small ensembles, solo and chamber music
  • Performance opportunities with Conservatory Baroque
  • Annual Baroque opera or oratorio
  • Major works performed in recent years include J.S. Bach's St. John Passion and Magnificat, Handel’s Giulio Cesare and Rinaldo and Henry Purcell's Fairy Queen
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FACULTY

Corey Jamason

We encourage prospective students to contact Corey Jamason to arrange a consultative lesson. Corey Jamason and the Office of Music Admissions are happy to answer any specific questions that you have about our program.

 ORGAN DEPARTMENT: AT A GLANCE
  • Organ professor Rodney Gehrke is director of music at St. Mark's Lutheran Church and Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco
  • Two students enrolled in organ program
  • Practice organ at the Conservatory as well as opportunities to practice on local organs
  • San Francisco chapter of the American Guild of Organists
  • Many opportunities for employment as organist/music directors and extensive performance experience in the Bay Area

FACULTY

Rodney Gehrke

We encourage prospective students to Rodney Gehrke to arrange a consultative lesson. Mr. Gehrke and the Office of Music Admission are happy to answer any specific questions that you have about our program.

 COLLABORATIVE PIANO DEPARTMENT: AT A GLANCE
  • M.M. offered in collrabortive piano
  • Tim Bach is chair of the department
  • Small department that rarely exceeds four students
  • Program is designed to train pianists in all areas of ensemble performance and collaborative playing
  • Opportunities to be actively involved in collaborating with instrumentalists and vocalists and to participate in many Conservatory ensembles
  • Six or more accompanying recitals per year
  • Extensive collaborative performance opportunities with New Music Ensemble, Conservatory Baroque, String and Chamber Music and the Conservatory Orchestra


FACULTY

Timothy Bach chair, accompanying department

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


CLASSES TO VISIT

Piano Forum
Chamber Music
Introduction to Accompanying
Advanced Accompanying: Instrumental
Advanced Accompanying: Vocal
Keyboard Literature: Baroque
Fortepiano Class
Harpsichord Class