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• San Francisco, California
Quick Take
San Francisco Conservatory offers elite classical, jazz, opera, and technology programs in one of the world's most vibrant and innovative cities, with a groundbreaking Technology and Applied Composition track. SFCM sits in the Civic Center arts district steps from Davies Symphony Hall and the SF Opera House, offering students extraordinary performance access alongside a progressive curriculum designed for 21st-century careers.
San Francisco at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | San Francisco Conservatory of Music |
| Setting | private |
| Program Size | medium |
| Genres / Styles | classical, contemporary, early music, electronic, jazz, opera |
| Primary Instrument | bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, harpsichord, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | composition, conducting, engineering/technology, historical performance, jazz, opera, performance |
| Musical Selectivity | elite |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | selective |
| Average GPA | |
| Application Deadline | 2026-12-01 00:00:00 |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | highly competitive |
| Audition Window | Jan–Mar |
| Prescreening | is required |
| Location | |
| City / State | San Francisco, California |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the San Francisco website
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Program Overview
The music program at San Francisco is medium in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
San Francisco supports the following musical genres/styles: classical, contemporary, early music, electronic, jazz, opera. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the San Francisco website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at San Francisco can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, harpsichord, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students study privately with faculty on their primary instrument while participating in ensembles and collaborative performances.
Visit the San Francisco website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at San Francisco
Students at San Francisco can pursue degrees focused on composition, conducting, engineering/technology, historical performance, jazz, opera, performance. Music degree programs typically combine private instruction, ensemble participation, music theory coursework, and performance opportunities designed to prepare students for careers in music.
Visit the San Francisco website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at San Francisco is elite. Academically, it is selective, with accepted students having an average GPA of . (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for San Francisco is 2026-12-01 00:00:00 of each year.
Visit the San Francisco website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at San Francisco, and the school's auditions are considered to be highly competitive. The audition window is Jan–Mar of each year. A pre-screening video or portfolio is required.
Visit the San Francisco website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
SFCM sits in the heart of San Francisco's Civic Center arts district, steps from Davies Symphony Hall, the SF Opera House, SFJAZZ, and one of the world's most culturally vibrant and innovative cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Francisco hard to get into?
Admission to San Francisco is considered elite for music and selective academically. At most schools, the audition carries significant weight. Admitted students need to demonstrate performance ability and artistic potential in addition to meeting academic requirements.
Do I need a prescreening video to audition at San Francisco?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at San Francisco.
Prescreening requirements vary significantly from school to school, and sometimes by instrument or area of study, so it's worth checking directly with the admissions office to confirm what's expected for your specific application.
What instruments can I study at San Francisco?
supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, harpsichord, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students typically study privately with a faculty member on their primary instrument while also participating in ensembles and collaborative performance opportunities.
Instrument availability and faculty depth can vary. If you play something less common, it's worth reaching out to the department directly to confirm faculty availability before you apply.
What GPA do I need for San Francisco?
Admitted students at San Francisco have an average GPA of . Keep in mind that this is an average. Some admitted students come in above it, some below, depending on the strength of the overall application and, especially, the audition.
Music programs tend to weigh audition performance heavily, which means a particularly strong musical candidate may be admitted even if their GPA is below the typical range. The reverse is also true. Academic strength alone won't compensate for a weak audition.
What is the application deadline for San Francisco?
The application deadline for San Francisco is 2026-12-01 00:00:00, with live auditions typically held Jan–Mar. These dates can shift year to year, so it's important to verify directly with the admissions office well in advance.
Music school deadlines often arrive earlier than general college application deadlines, and audition slots can fill up quickly, especially at competitive programs. Getting your application in early is rarely a bad idea.
Information on this page is updated periodically. Always confirm details directly with the school's admissions office.
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