San Francisco Conservatory of Music

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At the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, we give students the framework and foundation to succeed throughout their studies and careers, creating a path of lifelong learning. More than any other world-class conservatory, we educate the whole person, with an interconnected curriculum that breaks down barriers between the intellectual, artistic, professional, and individual. Our faculty, facilities, and position at the heart of the San Francisco music scene have helped SFCM seize a leading role in preparing—and defining—the 21st-century musician.
As a professional school, we are committed to providing an outstanding education that prepares our graduates to pursue fully engaged lives as citizens of the world. Our core mission is to transform our students: artistically, intellectually, professionally, and individually. Through the study of music at the highest level, our students learn to seek achievement in every endeavor, convert challenge into an opportunity, understand the nature of excellence, and pursue their dreams with vigor and determination. We believe that inspiring the imagination, cultivating the artist, honing the intellect, and developing the professional are the keys to launching innovative graduates who excel in any field. Our phenomenal faculty and our location in the heart of a magnificent city provide an unparalleled experience in the world.
Our focus is our students, and through an innovative and unique experience, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music prepares its graduates for a lifetime of achievement and success.
Applying to colleges can be time-consuming and confusing. That is why our team at the Office of Admission is at your disposal. We can guide you through putting together your application, clarify audition requirements, help you prepare for your visit to San Francisco, and answer a wide range of questions. SFCM is a place of collaboration, adventure, excellence—and fun.
We look forward to making your path into the Conservatory as enjoyable and straightforward as possible. We are here to help, so please let us know if you have any questions about SFCM. Or better yet, come in for a tour and see it for yourself.
You'll need to know some specifics about the cost of attending SFCM, as well as all the ways to meet that cost. We've put together information for you that details tuition and housing expenses, financial aid options, and other money-related matters.
We're here to help our talented students and their families manage the cost of world-class music education through a wide variety of sources. Conservatory financial aid generally falls into two categories: gift assistance (SFCM scholarships, federal and state grants) and self-help assistance (loans and work opportunities). The recipient may accept all or any part of the aid offered and sign up for an installment payment program. Many students also get financial help from outside sources, such as state scholarships and local musical clubs.
At SFCM, we understand that college can be a substantial investment. We're here to help, and we're committed to working with you to achieve the education you desire. Nearly all of our students - 98 percent - are awarded scholarship assistance.
Intellectually, artistically, professionally, individually—conservatory life is different in San Francisco. We will be with you every step of the way as you make San Francisco your home. Our Student Life staff has been where you are, and we know how important it is for every student to have their needs met. Study, practice, and performance will be significant parts of your life, but they are not the whole story. We are here to guide you through life at SFCM and in San Francisco.
In the fall of 1917, pianists Ada Clement and Lillian Hodghead opened the doors to the Ada Clement Piano School at 3435 Sacramento Street, in the remodeled home of Lillian's parents. A school newsletter from 1924 described that the first semester of 1917: "The faculty numbered five. The school had four pupils. Four studios were used, and only two were equipped with blackboards. Three pianos were donated by the Misses Ada Clement and Lillian Hodghead."
Recognizing the need for a music conservatory on the West Coast, the school incorporated in 1923 as the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, offering classes in many orchestral instruments and theory, composition, and voice.
In 2006, the Conservatory relocated to a revitalized Civic Center campus with three state-of-the-art performance spaces, ushering in a new growth era. Composer John Adams held a composition and conducting residency. The orchestra made its recording debut on the Naxos label. A sister school agreement with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music yielded the San Francisco-Shanghai International Chamber Music Festival, an annual event hosted alternately in each city, featuring faculty and students' joint performances from each school.
On July 1, 2013, David H. Stull took office as president of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, succeeding Murdoch, who stepped down after 25 years of service. Outlining his vision for the Conservatory's second century, Stull said, "Our collective ambition is to build the most innovative professional music school in the world, one that provides a transformative education of peerless excellence and launches highly successful artists and individuals who are educated for life."

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