Courses
200: Song and Dance Men of the Silver Screen
201: Music Appreciation: An Overview of Western Music History
202: Alexander Technique
203: Cello Ensembles
204: Intermediate Musicianship
205: Class Piano I and II
206: Musical Theater Workshop
207: Jazz Piano
208: Italian Literature
209: Psychology of Performance
210: Recreational Singing
211: German Lied Performance
212: Performance Workshop for Singers
213: Jazz, Popular and American Songbook
200: SONG AND DANCE MEN OF THE SILVER SCREEN
Bonnie Weiss
Mondays 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Starting March 31
Room C01
6 classes, $215
The marvelous men of the movie musical have long enchanted us with fabulous feet and ways with a song; learn about the fascinating lives and talents of these performers. See rare footage on video of beloved entertainers from their early careers through the heights of their stardom. Featured performers include Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Ray Bolger, Bill (Bojangles) Robinson, Donald O'Connor-and more!
Bonnie Weiss is a highly regarded theatre educator, writer, cabaret producer and radio show host. She holds a B.A. in theater education and an M.A. from New York University. She has produced and hosted radio programs on KQED-FM, and has produced six sold-out cabaret tributes to composer Stephen Sondheim.
201: MUSIC APPRECIATION: AN OVERVIEW OF WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY
Richard Roper
Sundays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Starting January 27 (no class 2/17)
Room 201
8 classes, $290
Join us on a journey which covers the major periods of Western music history. From Pythagoras to Philip Glass, this course takes you by the hand through the landmark achievements of our musical culture. See how the ancient Greeks have influenced Western musical thought in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Observe the emergence of opera and concert instrumental music during the baroque and classical eras. Empathize with the need for individual expression of the romantic artist. Appreciate the impact that world events have had on the history of music. Open your ears toward recent trends in music composition by discovering the work of today's composers. This series of lectures will provide an overview of our Western musical heritage. They will invite you to explore beyond the realm of your familiar musical territory.
Richard Roper holds degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Yale School of Music and the University of Maryland. Dr. Roper has served on the faculty of the University of Maine, and currently teaches at the Community School of Music and Arts in Mountain View, the Preparatory and Extension Divisions at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the California State University Stanislaus. As a Harriet Hale Woolley Scholar, he spent a year studying trumpet in Paris, and also studied and performed at the Aspen Music Festival, the Music Academy of the West, Tanglewood Institute and the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. In addition to teaching, he stays busy performing with many of the ensembles in Northern California.
202: ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE
Robert Britton
Mondays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Starting April 7
Room 207
6 classes, $215
The Alexander Technique is helpful for musicians who wish to play with more coordination and freedom. Understanding the subtleties of how the head, torso, breath, and limbs relate to each other enables us to make music at our full potential of power and expression. Unconscious habits of movement can lead to excess muscle tensions, which can lead to pain and injury as well as dampening the free flow of communication with the audience. In this class, we will enjoyably explore how to use our muscles, joints, and awareness to bring the entire body into an efficient relationship with instruments and the voice.
Robert Britton graduated as an Alexander Technique teacher in 1978. In addition to his private practice in San Francisco and Marin County, he has taught the Alexander Technique to musicians at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music since 1984. He served as chairman of the American Society for the Alexander Technique from 1997 to 1999. He has helped train Alexander Technique teachers since 1989, and teaches at the Alexander Educational Center in Berkeley He regularly teaches in Berlin at the Ausbildungszentrum für F.M. Alexander-Technik Berlin, as well as contributing to the well being of the international Alexander Technique Affiliated Societies, and the Annual Members Meeting of the Affiliated Societies. He is also a faculty member of the Bay Area Summer Opera Training Institute (BASOTI).
203: CELLO ENSEMBLES
Barbara Wirth
Intermediate:
Alternate Saturdays, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Starting January 26
Room 104
9 classes, $260
Advanced:
Alternate Mondays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Starting January 28
Room 104
9 classes, $260
Student ensembles will perform works recorded by notable groups including the Berlin Philharmonic Cellos, the Yale Cellos and the London Cello Sound. Students should have good intonation and rhythm and be comfortable with thumb position as well as bass, tenor and treble clefs.
Barbara Wirth received a B.M. from Northwestern University and a M.M. from Indiana University. She studied with Janos Starker and Pierre Fournier. She has been a member of the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, and has played for the San Francisco Symphony, Ballet, and Theater Orchestras. Ms. Wirth has taught cello for the Northwestern University Preparatory Department, Eastern Kentucky University, Louisville Academy of Music, Dominican College, San Francisco State University, University of San Francisco and is currently a member of the Preparatory and Adult Extension Divisions faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
204: INTERMEDIATE MUSICIANSHIP
June Bonacich
Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Starting January 23
Room 201
10 classes, $310
This class is designed for students who want to enhance their current musical literacy. Coursework will focus on developing aural perception and understanding musical materials - rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic-- in both tonal and modal contexts. The class covers the following musical elements:
· Chromatic intervals
· Common chord progressions and cadences
· Basic keyboard harmony
· Introduction to harmonic analysis and musical form
June Bonacich received the Kris Getz Award for Composition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She teaches musicianship and composition in the San Francisco Conservatory of Music's Preparatory Division and was formerly on the San Francisco Boy's Chorus faculty. She received a B.A. from Cal State Sonoma and holds a M.M. from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
205: CLASS PIANO I AND II
Jacqueline Chew
Wednesdays
Piano I - 6:00-7:30 p.m. (no class March 26)
Piano II - 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Starting January 30
Room 501
13 classes, $340
These classes approach playing the piano through understanding music theory with emphasis on sight-reading, transposition and rhythm. Piano I begins with music notation (rhythm and intervals). In conjunction with playing simple classical pieces, students learn major scales, relative and parallel minor scales and chords (tonic, dominant, and sub-dominant). Piano II explores these same subjects in greater depth, while adding seventh chords, practice techniques, ensemble, and analysis of students' repertoire.
Jacqueline Chew, known for her performances of Olivier Messiaen's music, has released a double-CD entitled Messiaen: Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant Jesus.
In preparation for this work, she coached with French pianist Roger Muraro as well as Yvonne Loriod-Messiaen, for whom the piece was written. MSR Classics recently released her Sweet Irrational Worship: The Niles-Merton Songs
, recorded with baritone Chad Runyon. In addition to solo and chamber music concerts, Ms. Chew performed, toured, and recorded as pianist in the Women's Philharmonic from 1990-2004. She received degrees from the State University of New York, Binghamton and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and pursued private studies with Leonard Shure in Boston. Ms. Chew also teaches at the University of California at Berkeley.
206: MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP
Katie Guthorn
Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Starting February 5
Room 104
7 classes, $240
Do you love to sing? Ever find yourself thinking "How does that singer do that with her voice?" Learn to belt healthfully and without strain by "mixing" head voice and chest voice. Singers will learn exercises to balance the vocal registers and apply that knowledge to singing Broadway songs.
Katie Guthorn is a Certified Level 5 Speech Level Singing™ instructor (the highest level), and co-owner of The Voice Studio in San Francisco. Longtime lead singer in Big Bang Beat, she has also backed many pop music stars such as Bonnie Raitt, Martha Reeves, Ronnie Spector and The Doobie Brothers. In the 1980s, Ms. Guthorn's recordings with the group Modern Rocketry topped the Billboard Dance Charts. Her starring performance in A Karen Carpenter Christmas received an Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical nomination by the Bay Area Theatre Critics.
207: JAZZ PIANO
Tim Price
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Starting February 5
Keyboard Lab
8 classes, $285
Jazz piano is designed for those students who love jazz, already play the piano, read music, have a little experience with music theory and are interested in learning how to improvise. Students learn about chord symbols, voicings, common jazz chord progressions, scales and modes, as well as other tools that allow them to begin the rewarding journey into jazz improvisation. A play-a-long CD is provided to give students the opportunity to learn tunes at home while playing with a drummer and bass player anytime! Lessons are shaped to match each student's interest and level of ability.
Tim Price is a freelance woodwind and keyboard performer. He has performed with many artists including James Moody, Gary Foster, Bill Yeager, Kim Richmond, Eddie Marshall, Dmitri Metheny and John Tchichai. His group, The Tim Price Jazz Orchestra performs his original compositions and arrangements in the Bay Area.
208: ITALIAN LITERATURE
Brian Neilson
Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Starting January 16
Room 207
15 classes, $400
In this course, conducted entirely in Italian, we will read and discuss Giorgio Bassani's moving and tragic novel of a Jewish family in Fascist Italy,
Il giardino dei Finzi-Contini.
Brian Neilson has taught at the Istituto Americano in Florence, the University of California, and, for over twenty years, in the Collegiate Division of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He received the George Sarlo Award for Excellence in Teaching at the Conservatory for the 2005-2006 academic year.
209: PSYCHOLOGY OF PERFORMANCE
Dana Fonteneau
Thursdays, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Starting January 24 (no class on March 6 or April 7)
Room 207
12 classes, $420
Have you ever struggled with performance anxiety? Ever felt that no matter how hard you practice, your thoughts and nerves undermine you at the very moment you want to do your best?
The Psychology of Performance is an experiential journey from performance anxiety to performance empowerment. This class explores the psychological aspects of performing - from mental preparation and visualization to successful practice techniques and audition preparation. The class is a mind/body tool kit that will identify and positively affect old habits that can sabotage performance and help you become the most successful performer you can be.
Class enrollment is limited to active performers and teachers, with the expectation of active participation.
Dana Fonteneau has the distinction of being equally fluent in the performing and fine arts. She has both an M.M. in Chamber Music performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. She is an active performer, teacher and healer. She is an associate MFTi at the Center for Somatic Psychotherapy, as well as a Reiki Master and Somato-Respiratory-Integration Wellness Educator. She brings her diverse background together to work with private clients to empower their performance in auditions and competitions. She is principal cellist of the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, and founding member of the Round Top String Quartet, California Piano Quartet and the Raven String Trio. She has collaborated with such artists as Robert Mann, Joel Krosnick, Donald Wallerstein and Gilbert Kalish. She currently serves on the faculty of the Preparatory and Adult Extension Divisions, teaching cello and chamber music.
210: RECREATIONAL SINGING (NEW!)
Dr. Helen Dilworth
Mondays, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Starting February 4
Room 201
4 classes, $110
"Since singing is so good a thing, I'd like all men to learn to sing." That's ancient wisdom from Byrd. Singing is also fun and healthy for women, children, and all. In this basic and primarily group singing class, special attention will be available for skill-building in pitch and rhythm.
Dr. Helen Dilworth is a distinguished teacher, administrator, and world class soprano familiar with various styles of music. She delights in developing perceptive listeners and musicians capable of performing better, faster, and longer. Winner of Merola and Metropolitan opera awards, Dr. Dilworth has taught at San Francisco State University, Jazz Camp, Gospel Workshops, professional conferences and community colleges. She is on the voice faculty of the Preparatory and Adult Extension Divisions.
211: GERMAN LIED PERFORMANCE (NEW!)
Anja Strauss
Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Starting February 6
Room C01
10 classes, $350
This class - taught by a native German singer - serves as a hands-on approach to the preparation of German repertoire ranging from Mozart and Beethoven, over Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, and Wolf to Strauss, Mahler, Schönberg, and Berg. All songs will be performed and discussed in class. Students will work on song repertoire that can be found at SFCM's library. This class will conclude with a public recital.
Covered topics will include:
· International Phonetic Alphabet
· German Diction for non-German speakers
· History and background of discussed composers and poets
· Tools for translation/interpretation of German poetry
· Musical interpretation and execution
· The singer-pianist relationship
· How to plan a recital
· Breaking down the formal barrier between performer and audience
Prerequisites: Open to intermediate/advanced singers and pianists
Anja Strauss holds degrees from The Juilliard School and Musikhochschule Luebeck (M.M.), Germany. She is active as an opera, concert, and lied performer. Appearances include Carnegie's Weill Hall and Lincoln Center, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Fremont Symphony, Mozart Society CA, Olympic Music Festival WA; opera performances with Sacramento Opera, San Francisco Lyric, Lamplighters Theater, Pacific Repertory Opera, Pocket Opera, Stockton Opera, and German companies of Luebeck, Kiel, Potsdam and Detmold. She has recorded with Dabringhaus and Grimm and offers German, Italian, French, and Spanish diction.
212: PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP FOR SINGERS (NEW!)
Anja Strauss
Mondays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Starting February 4
Room 207
6 classes, $215
This class will provide a safe environment for singers of all levels to enhance their performance skills. The class will meet weekly and each participant will present a selection of their choice. Students are encouraged to critique each other. We will then work on improving stage presence, such as introducing yourself and your repertoire.
Covered topics will include:
· Stage presence (introductions, bowing, etc.)
· Body language and acting tools (How to get into character)
· Musical interpretation and execution
· Breaking down the formal barrier between performer and audience
· Auditioning
Prerequisites: Open to singers of all levels
Anja Strauss holds degrees from The Juilliard School and Musikhochschule Luebeck (M.M.), Germany. She is active as an opera, concert, and lied performer. Appearances include Carnegie's Weill Hall and Lincoln Center, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Fremont Symphony, Mozart Society CA, Olympic Music Festival WA; opera performances with Sacramento Opera, San Francisco Lyric, Lamplighters Theater, Pacific Repertory Opera, Pocket Opera, Stockton Opera, and German companies of Luebeck, Kiel, Potsdam and Detmold. She has recorded with Dabringhaus and Grimm and offers German, Italian, French, and Spanish diction.
213: JAZZ, POPULAR AND AMERICAN SONGBOOK
Faith Winthrop
Tuesdays
Beginning - 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Intermediate - 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Starting February 5
Room 207
8 classes, $250
Beginning class:
Aspiring singers and re-entering fledglings first learn breathing and vocal techniques necessary to sing any genre of song, including blues, jazz, American songbook and cabaret, and are then encouraged to apply those techniques to loved songs of their choice. Make friends with a microphone and learn basic performance skills in a safe and supportive learning environment.
For those who may have had to put aside their vocal dreams due to education, career or family obligations, here's a perfect opportunity to renew your vocal urges. It's never too late to raise your voice in song. Optional salon for friends and family after the last class.
Intermediate class:
This class provides an opportunity for singers to strengthen breathing and vocal technique awareness, expand repertoire, increase sensitivity to lyric interpretation, and understand a song's emotional structure. Learn to establish tempo and successfully communicate with an accompanist your unique expectations as to how the song is arranged. By paying special attention to one's relationship with the song, accompanist, and audience, one can release resistance or anxiety and relax into the song, making it fun and exciting to sing. Class focuses on appropriate audition songs or choices for CD demos. Last class is followed by a night at an 'open mic'! Please bring music to the first class.
Singer, songwriter, and teacher Faith Winthrop is one of the Bay Area's musical treasures. She has coached many noted singers, including Al Jarreau, Ben Vereen, and Holly Near. Her CDs Leap of Faith and Havin' a Time have received excellent reviews; she is currently recording a new CD of her own songs. Ms. Winthrop is a faculty member at Mills College.
