 SFCM is adding depth and diversity to what is already the Bay Area's most comprehensive concert season. In 2014-15, SFCM presents twelve orchestra concerts, three full operas, premieres by nationally-known and home-grown composers, and an expanded faculty artist series of chamber works, early music and solo recitals. Internationally-acclaimed guest artists include mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, violinist Jennifer Koh and the Pacifica Quartet. The Conservatory honors two stars of its own, soprano Elza van den Heever '04 and collaborative pianist Warren Jones '77, at its annual Gala in March. A new series of events explore music beyond the concert hall. The nation's most esteemed music journalists headline the Rubin Institute for Music Criticism and industry professionals lead Game On, a conference on video game and film music. The Conservatory also hosts the favorite National Public Radio program From the Top in a radio taping before a live audience in the Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall at 50 Oak Street. With some 500 events offered, most free of charge, SFCM remains San Francisco's best value for an evening of music and exploration. Tickets are available online. Tickets and reservations will available on September 2 through the Box Office at 415.503.6275. View the season brochure. Read more.
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Wall Street Journal Covers SFCM Business and Tech Initiatives
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The Wall Street Journal recently included SFCM alongside The Juilliard School and Berklee College of Music in an article about arts school programs that sharpen business savvy as well as artistic skill. The paper cites MaryClare Brzytwa, associate dean of new media and music technology. Brzytwa is overseeing the construction of electronic music studios to support a new Technology and Applied Composition major and planning a new curriculum that will teach business skills. Read the entire article and also see the featured video about the Professional Development and Engagement Center at right.
A Rupert Neve Designs 32 channel 5088 Discrete Analogue Mixer being installed at the Conservatory.
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Faculty Artists Shine
in SeptemberSFCM's concert season opens at a full gallop with our Faculty Artist Series. On September 3 Elizabeth Blumenstock, baroque violin, Elisabeth Reed, baroque cello, Corey Jamason, harpsichord and guest violinist Catherine MacIntosh present a historical period performance of works by Castello, Purcell, Corelli and others. Six concerts follow in September alone featuring Emily Laurence, harp (September 6), Jeff Anderle '06, clarinet (September 8), Ian Swensen, violin (September 11), Indre Viskontas '08 and Vocallective (September 14), Mack McCray, piano (September 22) and Giacomo Fiore '09, guitar (September 25). Admission at all concerts is free, although reservations may be required. See our performance calendar for details.
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Couden Chosen for Met's Young Artist Program  Kudos to contralto Sara Couden '11, who has been chosen to participate in the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program for the 2014-15 season. As a member of one of the country's top opera training programs, Couden will work with Met artistic staff and the company's roster of world-renowned artists, enjoy access to daily Met rehearsals and practice sessions, and also participate in joint productions at The Juilliard School. Couden studied with César Ulloa.
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 Alumni Take the Stage With the broadest scope of perhaps any Conservatory concert series, this year's Alumni Recital Series features soloists and ensembles performing music that ranges from the brand new to the baroque. The season opens September 12 with two headliners: Soprano Erica Schuller '09 sings works by Strozzi, Scarlatti and Handel, joined by faculty members Corey Jamason, harpsichord, and Elisabeth Reed, baroque cello. Then the alumni chamber ensemble MUSA (pictured above) brings its historically informed sensibilities to works by Corelli, Couperin and Lully, as well as a premiere by Danny Clay '13. Friday, September 12, 8 PM................  Concert Hall, Free More information
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Orchestra on Deck  The Conservatory Orchestra season opens with a doubleheader on September 27 and 28. Performances are led by conductor Scott Sandmeier and feature cellist Nicholas Denton '17. Also in the lineup: Berlioz, Brahms and Saint-Saëns. Look for more details in the next issue of Take Note. Saturday, September 27, 8 PM and Sunday, September 28, 2 PM Concert Hall, $15/$20.................... More information Purchase tickets
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 In Memoriam:
Kristin Pankonin '89 Kristin Pankonin '89, accomplished pianist and a great friend to SFCM alumni, faculty, staff and students, died on July 20. A former staff pianist at SFCM, Pankonin appeared in concert with artists including vocalists Christine Abraham, Marnie Breckenridge '96, Zheng Cao, Catherine Cook, Lisa Delan '89, Susanne Mentzer and Frederica von Stade; cellist Matt Haimovitz and many others. She also collaborated with composers such as Mark Adamo, John Corigliano, Jake Heggie, David Garner and Gordon Getty. Pankonin continued to perform with characteristic vitality throughout five years living with cancer. The Conservatory will host a memorial concert for Pankonin on Sunday, October 5 at 7 p.m.
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Upcoming Concerts
SEPTEMBER
Faculty Artist Series
Elizabeth Blumenstock, baroque violin, Elisabeth Reed, baroque cello, Corey Jamason, harpsichord, with Catherine MacIntosh, baroque violin
6 Saturday, 8 PM
Faculty Artist Series | Emily Laurence, harp, with Thomas Gregg, tenor 8 Monday, 8 PM Faculty Artist Series | Jeff Anderle '06, clarinet 11 Thursday, 8 PM............. Faculty Artist Series | Ian Swensen, violin, with Jeffrey LaDeur '11, piano, and Brenden Guy '10, clarinet Alumni Recital Series
Erica Schuller '09, soprano, with Corey Jamason, harpsichord, and Elisabeth Reed, baroque cello; MUSA baroque chamber ensemble
Faculty Artist Series Indre Viskontas '08, soprano, with Vocallective 20 Saturday, 7:30 PM................ San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music SFMusic Day 21 Sunday, 12-6:30 PM.............. San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music SFMusic Day 22 Monday, 8 PM RR*................ Faculty Artist Recital | Mack McCray, piano 25 Thursday, 8 PM Faculty Artist Recital | Giacomo Fiore '09, guitar 27 Saturday, 8 PM and 28 Sunday, 2 PM $15/$20............... Orchestra | Scott Sandmeier, conductor, with Nicholas Denton '17, cello 30 Tuesday, 8 PM Cello Ensemble
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All events free unless otherwise noted. RR* = Reservations required. View our performance calendar for complete information including concert changes and updates. Call the Box Office for tickets and reservations at 415.503.6275. Conservatory SupportersTo reserve tickets, please contact June Hom at 415.503.6201 or jhom@sfcm.edu. To become a Conservatory supporter visit our website.
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 | Introducing the PDEC:
A new video about Professional Development at SFCM |
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Friends of the Conservatory financially support SFCM's gifted students and faculty members because they are passionate about classical music's future. In upcoming issues of Take Note, check here to learn about exclusive "backstage" events for donors, such as the Orchestra Open Rehearsal on September 24 conducted by Scott Sandmeier; hear why giving to the Conservatory is so rewarding; and read other insider news. To learn more about becoming a Friend of the Conservatory, visit our website.
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SFMusic Day
September 20-21
SFMusic Day is a free festival of early music, chamber music, new music and jazz, performed by local artists and presented by San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music. With 38 ensembles on the lineup, including numerous SFCM alumni and faculty, the event fills the three Conservatory concert halls from dusk to dusk beginning on Saturday, September 20.
More information
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Aminikia at (Le) Poisson Rouge in NYCSeptember 14 The New York-based contemporary music ensemble Hotel Elefant kicks off its season with Sahba Aminikia '13 as featured composer. Three of Aminikia's deeply personal and political works anchor Elefant's program on September 14 at (Le) Poisson Rouge.
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Trinity Alps Players
Tell Tales in Just So StoriesSeptember 7 The Trinity Alps Chamber Players present beloved tales by Rudyard Kipling in a brand new musical setting by Danny Clay '13 at a free concert at The Century Club of California in San Francisco. With narration, music and a few noisy props all under the direction of Ian Scarfe '10, Just So Stories relates How the Camel got its Hump, How the Whale got its Throat, and The Elephant's Child. An "instrument petting zoo" follows for kids young and old.
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Café menu with beer and wine available from