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.
Walnut Creek Home Concerts
Contact Mark Rubenstein at markmd@earthlink.net or 925-932-6650
Artistic Director: Mark M. Rubenstein, M.D.
Where to hear them: 147 Los Altos Avenue, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
West Bay Opera
West Bay Opera produces three productions per season, one each in October, February, and May. The repertoire includes standard popular works, lesser-known operas and operettas, and occasionally operas by modern composers
Founded: 1955 (as the Little Opera Guild)
Artistic Director: Jos
Where to hear them: Lucie Stern Community Theatre in Palo Alto
West County Winds
WCW is an adult community wind ensemble located in El Cerrito. The group has been playing for audiences in the East Bay since its founding in 1985. WCW performs at the El Cerrito Performing Arts Center, El Cerrito High School.
Founded: 1985
Artistic Director: Jessica Bejarano
Where to hear them: El Cerrito Perfroming Arts Center
West Edge Opera
Berkeley Opera is known for presenting opera works as musical theater, fusing music and drama to showcase emerging artists. Productions are in original language with super-titles or in English and ticket prices are kept affordable.
Founded: 1979
Artistic Director: Jonathan Kuhner/Mark Streshinsky
Where to hear them: Performing Arts Theater at El Cerrito High School
West Valley College Music Department
Founded: 1963
Artistic Director: Lou De La Rosa, Department Chair
Where to hear them: West Valley College Theater, 14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga, CA
West Valley Masterworks Chorale
The West Valley Masterworks Chorale is a college-based, community ensemble serving the San Jose area. The mission of the chorale is to perform great works of the choral repertoire in an eclectic and entertaining manner. This auditioned, mid-sized ensemble, founded by the late Fred Gandel, frequently performs major works with The Winchester Orchestra of San Jose under the direction of Henry Mollicone.
Founded: 1977
Artistic Director: Lou De La Rosa
Where to hear them: West Valley College Theater, 14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga
West Valley Music Store Sponsored Events
Artistic Director: Diana Tucker
Where to hear them: Various venues throughout the South Bay
Whole Noyse
The group plays brass and wind music from 16th and 17th century Europe
Founded: 1986
Artistic Director: Not specified
Where to hear them: Venues in Palo Alto, Berkeley and San Francisco
Willows Theatre Company
Musical Theatre
Founded: 1977
Artistic Director: Richard Elliott
Where to hear them: Campbell Theatre in downtown Martinez, CA
Winchester Orchestra of San Jose
"The little orchesra that could" said Richard Scheinin, of the San Jose Mercury News, referring to the quality of soloists the orchestra consistently presents.
Founded: 1999
Artistic Director: Henry Mollicone
Where to hear them: Trinity Cathedral, 81 N. 2nd St., San Jose, CA 95113
Winds Across the Bay
Founded: 1993
Artistic Director: Ray Iniguez
Where to hear them: www.WindsAcrossTheBay.org
Women's Antique Vocal Ensemble (WAVE)
WAVE is an all-women’s choral group dedicated to performing music from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods.
Founded: 1999
Artistic Director: Cindy Beitmen
Where to hear them: Venues in Oakland, primarily in the Piedmont area
WomenSing
This 55-voice auditioned ensemble specializes in repertoire for the treble repertoire that spans all musical genres. WomenSing is a frequent collaborator with other music and performance organizations in the Bay Area.
Founded: 1965
Artistic Director: Martin Benvenuto
Where to hear them: Venue throughout Bay Area, primarily East Bay.
