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.

M & J Duets

Founded: February, 2011
Artistic Director: Matthew Lee Cannon and Jessica J. Reddell
Where to hear them: http://www.youtube.com/user/MANDJDUETS/videos

M.A.Center

Founded: 1987

Magik*Magik Orchestra

M*MO is the official house orchestra of Tiny Telephone. M*MO is a modular group of symphonic players that can ordered up as needed, from a single bass clarinet, to an 60-piece ensemble. 

Founded: 2008
Artistic Director: Minna Choi
Where to hear them: Various San Francisco locations

Magnificat

Magnificat presents repertoire from the 17th Century, ranging from staged operas to liturgical reconstructions.

Founded: 1991
Artistic Director: Warren Stewart
Where to hear them: Venues in Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Berkeley

Marin Ballet

Founded: 1963
Artistic Director: Cynthia Lucas - Artistic Director
Where to hear them: Marin County

Marin Center

The Center hosts touring productions of all types and presents the annual Marin County Fair.

Founded: 1971
Artistic Director: Jim Farley, Director of Cultural and Visitor Services
Where to hear them: The Marin Center in San Rafael

Marin Girls Chorus

Four levels of classes are offered for girls in 1st through 10th grades. Music theory, note reading, voice training, and ear training are an integral part of the weekly classes. Choristers are also introduced to rhythm and percussion instruments as part of their music instruction

Founded: 1988
Artistic Director: Martha Wall
Where to hear them: Venues in the North Bay

Marin Music Chest

After more than forty years of presenting concerts, the Marin Music Chest made the annual scholarship program its primary mission, providing financial support to promising Marin County students of classical music.

Founded: 1933
Artistic Director: This philanthropic organization is headed by a board of directors
Where to hear them: Scholarship winners perform annual concerts in Marin County every spring.

Marin Oratorio

Marin Oratorio is a 100-voice chorus headquartered at the College of Marin, Kentfield, CA.

The chorus sings major works, with professional orchestra and soloists, and performs annually in December and May. Auditions are conducted at the beginning of the season, in late August, and again in January.

Artistic Director: Boyd Jarrell
Where to hear them: College of Marin Fine Arts Theater

Marin Symphony

This orchestra comprises both professional and community musicians, presenting a wide array of classical music. With its Youth Orchestra and annual Family and Holiday Concerts, the Marin Symphony is a major presence in Marin County.

Founded: 1952
Artistic Director: Alasdair Neale
Where to hear them: Marin Center, San Rafael

Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra

Youth Orchestra composed of approximately 80 high school and middle school musicians in Marin and neighboring communities.

Founded: 1953
Artistic Director: George Thomson

Mark Foehringer Dance Project | SF

Mark Foehringer Dance Project|SF (MFDP\SF) was incorporated in 2002. The company was founded in 1996 to support and produce the creative projects of its choreographer and director, Mark Foehringer. Enriched by collaborative process, MFDP\SF seeks to bring diverse original dance work to a variety of communities on an annual basis. We believe in dance as a basic human art, embracing both the complexities of contemporary society and the life affirming essence of movement. MFPD|SF places its focus in the 3 areas of the art form, a professional contemporary ballet company. In 2006, MFDP|SF began a presenting wing which presents a festival in celebration of National Dance week each year. In 2007 it began a teaching element through workshops and residencies. Mark Foehringer Dance Project/SF has performed at the Joyce Soho in New York City in 1999, 2000 and 2005, performed in Aruba in 1997 and in Peru in 2008. MFDP|SF has performed at more than 30 venues in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1996. Beginning in 2007 the board of directors of MFDP|SF engaged in the process of creating a 3 year strategic plan. It was completed in March of 2008. While it is a working document it has provided our organization a road map to planning the future of our company.

Founded: 1996
Artistic Director: Mark Foehringer

martha & monica

Founded: 2006
Artistic Director: Monica Scott & Hadley McCarroll
Where to hear them: In concert throughout San Francisco Bay Area concert halls, including: ODC Theater, Old First Concerts, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Berkeley Piano Club, DeYoung Museum, and more! In the spring of 2012 the duo will premiere a new work by Robert Greenberg as part of Composer's Inc Spring Showcase on Old First Concerts.

Martinez Music Boosters

Founded: 2010
Artistic Director: Julianne George
Where to hear them: Alhambra High School and local venues