JANUARY

FEBRUARY

Last November, 60 donors seated on the Concert Hall stage observed a Baroque Ensemble rehearsal led by Corey Jamason, ensemble co-director and director of SFCM's Historical Performance Program. Jamason gave a fascinating introduction to baroque music, remarking: "We play on period instruments and study the performance practice of the era so as to attempt to recreate the original energy of the composer." Donors learned the fine points involved in performing works by Vivaldi, Telemann and Lully. Five students also expertly explained and demonstrated differences between the modern and baroque guitar, bassoon, violin and cello, not only in their design, sound and construction (including bows and strings), but also in how they must be played. This up-close view of students and faculty at work was a priceless experience for Conservatory supporters.

By hosting the inaugural New Music Gathering this month, SFCM honors a long tradition of supporting and celebrating contemporary music. Many prominent Conservatory figures have raised the banner of new music, from the eminent composer Ernest Bloch, the Conservatory's first director, to faculty members John Adams, Andrew Imbrie and Conrad Susa, to alumnus Ramon Sender, who co-founded the seminal San Francisco Tape Music Center in the 1960s. Read an interview with Sender from the Conservatory's Oral History Project.