Our New Building: 50 Oak Street
Founded in 1917, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music is the oldest independent conservatory on the West Coast. In 2006, we opened the doors of a brand new facility in the Civic Center, the cultural heart of San Francisco. From our new location, the Conservatory continues to strengthen its ties with the San Francisco Symphony, the Opera, and other arts and educational organizations, further developing our intellectual and musical collaborations.
Not only is Oak Street at the arts and education center of San Francisco, but it is close to the landmarks that define the character of the city: Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, The Mission District, The Castro, Telegraph Hill and others are all within walking distance or easy to reach by public transportation.
Walking Time to Symphony Hall: 3 minutes
Distance to Transit Hub: 1 block
Train time to Oakland or Berkeley: 20 minutes
Our expert team of architects, acousticians, theatrical consultants and project managers has designed state-of-the art
classrooms,
practice rooms,
teaching studios and three performance halls. In addition, students enjoy a large library and listening room, two high-tech recording studios and computer lab, a roof-top terrace, café, and wireless Internet connection throughout the building.
With acoustics designed by Kirkegaard & Associates-a firm that has completed successful acoustical treatments in Carnegie Hall, Chicago's Orchestra Hall, Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, and at a host of educational institutions - the new facility doubles the square footage available for instruction and performance in the old building.
Acoustical features of our new builiding include:
- Rooms isolated from urban/street noise and from each other
- Acoustical climates tailored for specific kinds of music-making: composition, teaching, practice, rehearsal and performance
- Architectural features (pilasters, cornices, ceiling ribbing) preserved for historic and aesthetic reasons, as well as sound-reflecting and scattering functions
- Adjustable absorption systems so the acoustical environment of rehearsals is similar to that of performances
More than 40 new Steinway and Yamaha pianos with a value of almost a million dollars ensure that students have access to the finest instruments possible.
A completely up-to-date recording studio records recitals and other important projects, including commercial quality CDs.
For a Virtual Tour of our sparkling new facility, please click
here.
Performance Halls
 Concert Hall
A dramatic performance hall created in a renovated, historic grand ballroom, designed to showcase the Conservatory's orchestra and accommodate our largest audiences of up to 450 people. Internationally renowned visiting artists also perform and present master classes in this hall.
Take a Virtual Tour HERE.
View seating chart NOW!
Get Directions
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 Sol H. Joseph Recital Hall
This extraordinary, intimate modern hall seats up to 140 and is specifically designed for chamber music, small ensemble performances and recitals by our faculty and students. Theatrical lighting and balconies enhance the staging of opera scenes
Take a Virtual Tour HERE.
View seating chart NOW!
Get Directions
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 Osher Salon
A versatile jewel-box for student recitals, ensemble performances, opera staging and blocking rehearsals, classes and lectures, special meetings and events, seats up to 120.
Take a Virtual Tour HERE.
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Other Spaces
 Phyllis Wattis Atrium
The magnificent main entrance to the Conservatory with a grand staircase spanning several floors. Visitors reach the concert hall, recital hall, salon and café through this visually commanding space.
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Library
A full library for students and faculty with a special collections room, listening room, and reading room accommodates the Conservatory's large collection of books, recordings and scores. Floor to ceiling windows effect a warm and gracious space with superb natural light and views of the city.
Percussion Suite
A large rehearsal room, studio and two practice rooms acoustically designed for percussion instruments. The percussion suite is located on the lowest level of the Conservatory to minimize the potential noise transfer to other areas of the building.
Youth Music Education Center
Home of the Preparatory Division's early childhood music education program, encompassing two classrooms specially designed and equipped for our youngest students.
Milton Salkind Terrace
A stunning outdoor space atop the building serving as one of the prime gathering spaces for the Conservatory community.
Take a Virtual Tour HERE.
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Main Recording Studio
State-of-the art technology feeds all concert hall performances here for recording. Students, faculty and alumni may also make recordings in the adjacent sound-proof studio.
Baroque Studio
Home of the Conservatory's Baroque music program, including the Baroque Ensemble Room and the Baroque Instruments Room, housing harpsichords, clavichord and organ.
Computer Laboratory
15 workstations with a variety of applications and computer resources. In addition to standard applications like Internet access, email and word processing, the Conservatory has developed custom applications to help students with ear training and music theory. Synthesizers at each workstation interface with music notation software for composition and creating music scores.
Electronic Music Studio
A state-of-the-art facility for the composition and performance of electronic music.
Other Specialty Rooms
Additional facilities include student and faculty lounges, harp studio, reed-making room, dual piano teaching studio, keyboard laboratory, faculty offices and administrative office suites.
