As 2025 unfolded, SFCM's biggest stories revealed a musical community pushing boundaries, celebrating artistry, and redefining what a modern conservatory can be.

In preparation for another year, the SFCM Newsroom is looking back on a busy 2025 for the Conservatory and its students that saw exciting new faculty, an evolving Voice curriculum and a visit from a famous Hollywood composer—and that's just the beginning.

Iconic Hollywood Composer Danny Elfman Visits SFCM 

Edwin Outwater interviews Danny Elfman in the Bowes Center.

This month Danny Elfman of Spider-Man, Beetlejuice, and The Simpsons fame, took time off from his run of shows at the San Francisco Symphony (SFS) to visit with SFCM students in the Technology and Applied Composition (TAC) Department. 

SFCM Faculty, Alliance Partners Celebrate GRAMMY Wins, Nominations 

Those tuning into the 2026 GRAMMYs will see SFCM and its alliance partners up for some exciting accolades during music's biggest night. New Composition faculty Jake Heggie was nominated for Best Opera Recording for his work Intelligence, while SFCM's alliance partners Askonas Holt, Opus 3 Artists and Pentatone Records are also celebrating several exciting nominations. Earlier this year SFCM faculty Jason O'Connell won his second award.

SFCM Announces 2025-2026 Live Performances: Showcasing the Future of Music

This fall SFCM announced the largest public concert season in its 108-year history, with 39 full marquee productions in addition to its hundreds of student and faculty recitals, the vast majority of which are free and open to the public. 

'Best Week of My Life:' SFCM Students Perform with Joshua Bell and Academy of St Martin in the Fields at Davies Symphony Hall

In February, 38 SFCM students performed at Davies Symphony Hall following the Academy of St Martin in the Fields' residency at SFCM, thanks to SFCM's alliance with Opus 3 and Askonas Holt.

‘Beyond the Aria' Brings Cross-Genre Magic to SFCM

Opus 3 Artist Christine Goerke and baritone Hugh Russell perform with an ensemble of students October 25.

The Beyond the Aria concert series has been thrilling Chicago audiences for more than a decade, but this marked the first time it came to the West Coast. Led by Askonas Holt artist Craig Terry, a GRAMMY-winning pianist, following his Voice residency at the Conservatory, it featured four soloists performing with Opus 3 Artist Christine Georke, culminating in a thrilling ensemble performance. 

SFCM Talent Takes the Stage at Metropolitan Opera

SFCM's Mason Bates.

SFCM faculty Mason Bates' opera The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay debuted in September with Askonas-Holt artist Yannick Nézet-Séguin at the helm.

Two SFCM Grads Earn Major Symphony Roles

Brooks Fisher (L) and Tim Daniels (R).

Brooks Fisher ('20) joined the San Francisco Symphony, playing alongside his former teacher Eugene Izotov, while Tim Daniels ('18) headed to the Pittsburgh Symphony. Other alumni job wins include Stan Muncy joining the SFS, and Johnny Wang joining the Toronto Symphony. 

Composer Jake Heggie Joins San Francisco Conservatory of Music Faculty

The award-winning composer behind ten full-length operas and more than 300 art songs joined the composition faculty in 2025. In addition to Heggie other exciting faculty hires in 2025 included Mark Lawrence, Patti Neimi, and Joshua Elmore.

'A Playground for Composers:' Technology and Music Composition Program Celebrates Ten Years

In 10 years, SFCM's Technology and Applied Composition program has pushed the boundaries of what is possible in music technology, with graduates working as successful film and game scorers, music producers, sound engineers, and recording artists.

SFFILM Premieres Four Films Scored by Students at SFCM 

Four independent films with scores and sounds by students premiered at SFCM as part of the San Francisco International Film Festival.

SFCM Students and San Francisco Symphony Raise Over $118K for LA Wildfire Relief in Side-by-Side Concert at Davies Symphony Hall 

Edwin Outwater conducts students and musicians from the San Francisco Symphony.

In March, 43 students performed in a side-by-side concert with members of the San Francisco Symphony & Chorus under the baton of Music Director Edwin Outwater in a benefit concert for those affected California wildfires. 

Students Play at San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie's Inauguration

In January, a brass ensemble performed for the public ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of San Francisco's new mayor. "I was honored to have SFCM students perform at my inauguration, and to have some of our city's finest musical talents represented," Mayor Daniel Lurie said. 

Learn more about studying at SFCM or SFCM's Alliance of companies.