From classroom to record label: San Francisco Conservatory expands industry links for students
San Francisco Conservatory of Music is making artist residencies, recording projects and professional collaborations a recurring part of student life through its network of music businesses.
San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) has outlined expanded opportunities for students in its 2026–27 season, drawing on its ownership of artist management companies Opus 3 Artists and Askonas Holt, and recording label Pentatone.
Together, the organisations form SFCM’s Global Creative Alliance. The conservatory plans to embed annual residencies, internships, recording work and performances alongside established musicians more firmly into students’ education.
President David H. Stull said the aim was for students to see themselves as ‘not hopefuls waiting to graduate but active and valued participants’.
Recent projects include a residency and joint performance with Joshua Bell and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Advanced brass students have also joined leading professionals in the studio for a Pentatone recording.
The connection extends to composition: Pentatone’s album Spaces, released on 4 September, includes graduate Zoe Yost’s Three Hymns for Wind Quintet.
This season brings collaborations with Canadian Brass and Il Pomo d’Oro, alongside a November residency with conductor Giancarlo Guerrero.
The approach offers a practical answer to a familiar challenge for conservatoires: how to make professional experience part of education before students graduate.