Bay Area Music Groups
The Bay Area is home to literally hundreds of classical music organizations, from community choruses to world-renowned orchestras, opera companies and chamber ensembles. This listing provides all the vital statistics for Bay Area music groups, as well as a summary of what they do best. Search by type of organization or alphabetically. Note to classical music groups: If your organization is not listed here or there is an error in your listing, please email Eric@sfcv.org.
Absolute Music at the Friedman Center
Founded: 2004
Where to hear them: Friedman Center in Santa Rosa
Adorno Ensemble
Adorno Ensemble combines a commitment to fostering the creation and presentation of new music through performances in galleries, via online radio and podcasts, and its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to music appreciation, the Kandinsky Listening sessions.
Founded: 2004
Artistic Director: Cynthia Mei, violin, founder and artistic director
Where to hear them: Online and in galleries around San Francisco
Afiara String Quartet
Afiara places a keen interest on music of the 18th and 19th centuries, though it plays music from Haydn to yesterday's ink.
Founded: 2006
Artistic Director: None
Where to hear them: Venues throughout the San Francisco Bay Area
Alameda Civic Ballet
"Our mission is to create and present community accessible ballet performances while educating and engaging the community in the performing arts. Alameda Ballet Academy and its affiliate performing company, Alameda Civic Ballet, were founded in 2003 by the Artistic Director, Abra Rudisill. Both the school and company were created to impart the best elements of the classical ballet tradition to local dance students and the surrounding community of the East Bay. In her lessons and leadership, Rudisill draws upon her 20 years of experience as a Prima Ballerina and Ballet Mistress with Oakland Ballet, and she seeks to carry on her artistic lineage through the education of Bay Area youth. Alameda Civic Ballet was founded in February 2003 and achieved non-profit 501(c)(3) status as a charitable organization in November of 2004. The goal of the company is to create and present quality community accessible ballet performances, while providing young dancers with valuable experience performing alongside professional dancers.
Founded: 2003
Artistic Director: Abra Rudisill
Where to hear them: Kofman Theater - 2200 Central Avenue, Alameda, California
Albany Chamber Strings Orchestra
This long-running community orchestra is composed of strings, winds, brass, and percussion, and plays music from the Baroque to the 21st century.
Founded: 1975
Artistic Director: Teresa Colyer
Where to hear them: Concerts 3x per year, usually at Albany High School
Albany Consort
The group is focused on the period 1550 - 1750, with occasional forays into earlier and later centuries.
Founded: 1974 (in London, established in San Francisco in 1981)
Artistic Director: Jonathan Salzedo
Where to hear them: Venues in Berkeley and San Francisco
Alexander String Quartet
Known equally for their interpretations of Beethoven, Mozart and Shostakovich, as well as of contemporary music, the ASQ has a national reputation for excellence. Based in San Francisco, the ASQ is Ensemble in Residence for SF Performances and direct programs at SF State University. The Ensemble also tours internationally and has recorded extensively.
Founded: 1981
Where to hear them: Herbst Theater, San Francisco, and other venues in Bay Area
Alice's Renaissanc String Band
Contact: salblaker@yahoo.com
Founded: 2004
Artistic Director: sally blaker
Where to hear them: venues in berkeley
All Saints' Episcopal Choir, Palo Alto
Founded: 1892
Artistic Director: Rodney Gehrke
Where to hear them: All Saints' Episcopal Church, Palo Alto
All Souls Berkeley Music Program
Sponsors occasional salon concerts as well as special liturgical music concerts.
Founded: 1997 in its present form
Artistic Director: Christopher Putnam
Where to hear them: All Souls Episcopal Church, Berkeley, corner of Cedar & Spruce Sts.
American Bach Soloists
ABS specializes in historically informed performances of early vocal music, with a special focus on the works of J. S. Bach. In addition to a subscription series of concerts, ABS presents an annual Summerfest of chamber music, featuring concerts, recitals, and lectures. ABS has recorded and toured extensively.
Founded: 1989
Artistic Director: Jeffrey Thomas, Artistic Director and Co-Founder
Where to hear them: Venues throughout the Bay Area.
American Conservatory Theater (ACT)
American Conservatory Theater nurtures the art of live theater through dynamic productions, intensive actor training in its conservatory, and an ongoing dialogue with its community. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Carey Perloff and Executive Director Heather Kitchen, A.C.T. embraces its responsibility to conserve, renew, and reinvent the rich theatrical traditions that are our collective legacy, while exploring new artistic forms and new communities. A commitment to the highest standards informs every aspect of A.C.T.'s creative work.
Founded: 1965
Artistic Director: Carey Perloff
