Features

Travel notes from the San Francisco Symphony on its tour abroad, now playing Gustav Mahler in his hometown.

Episode 5: Omar Shelly and the YouTube Symphony Orchestra 2011. Violist Shelly tells SFCV about his participation in the world’s most-viewed symphony concert in Sydney, Australia, with MTT conducting. Classical music is brought to the vast YouTube “stage”.

Amabile — a Sweet Place to Start
Pacific Boychoir Hosts International Friends
Klein Competition Brings out the Best

The YouTube Symphony concert wasn't just a young musician’s dream — performing to packed houses at the Sydney Opera House. The finale concert displaced the rock band U2 as the most-watched live music concert online.

A riveting Irene Dalis competition brings together incredible talent, a lineup of judges to match, and promising winners, including an audience favorite who is breaking through the ice and beginning to bloom.

There are bigger spectator sports, but none with more participants than choral singing. Surprising but true: more Americans sing in choruses, chorales, choirs, glee clubs and other vocal groups — both professional and amateur — than engage in football, baseball, tennis, even Greco-Roman wrestling.

The San Francisco Symphony was in Prague on the hundredth anniversary of Gustav Mahler's death. Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas shares his thoughts on the personal meaning of his musical idol's anniversary.

Episode 4: Music Festivals Part I. May is not too early to get outdoors and enjoy the arts in California. Here are several family-friendly festivals to attend, with musical choices ranging from bluegrass to world, classical to chip music.