San Francisco Conservatory of Music050

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music isn't the place you go to unleash your inner musician. There is no banging on pots or humming along with the teacher here. The institution is a highly respected school for young musicians and you must audition to get in. Two hundred fifty students are enrolled here full time in the Collegiate Division.

The school also has a Preparatory Division for children ages 9-to-18 which offers a demanding program that expects students to develop competence in music theory and expand their knowledge of musical literature while developing an optimum performance level.

You can also request private lessons, which run up to an hour and are available in piano, violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, harp, guitar, organ, harpsichord, voice, and composition.

In addition, the Conservatory offers Early Childhood classes for children ages 4-to-9, which introduce students to music and musical instruments. Activities include songs, stories, movement, focused listening, improvisation, and reading and writing musical notation. Classes run 45-60 minutes and meet once a week.

The cost for one hour each week of private instruction depends on the instructor and on the age of the child. You must contact the school directly to get an estimate.

Summer Music West is the Conservatory's summer program for aspiring young musicians. Programs include String & Piano Academy, Chamber Music, Composition, Musicianship, Gilbert and Sullivan Scenes, and other intensive training in a supportive environment. The Summer Music West brochure and application are available online.