Rehearsals and performances are the heartbeat of the San Francisco Boys Chorus. They are where choristers learn and present repertoire – and where lifelong friendships develop.
Open and Closed Rehearsals
Rehearsals are generally closed – meaning that parents, guardians, and other visitors are not permitted to attend. This policy allows choristers, faculty, and music staff to focus on rehearsals, lessons, and the important work that leads to a unified choral concert. On occasion, the SFBC has open rehearsals when parents, family, and friends can watch a rehearsal in action. As a way to observe closed rehearsals, parents are encouraged to volunteer as Parent Monitors (teacher aides) during rehearsals.
Sectional Rehearsals
A “sectional” is a rehearsal where all boys on the same voice part break away to rehearse just their musical part. For instance, the 2nd sopranos might be called into another room – or to a special rehearsal – to go over just their part of music. This strengthens the sound once combined again with their peers who are singing other parts.
SFBC enrolls over 200 choristers at four Bay Area locations which are separate from SFBC’s administrative offices. The San Francisco base was founded in 1948; the East Bay in January 2003; the Marin County in 2004. San Mateo is a newly-opened rehearsal location.
- San Francisco – San Francisco rehearsals are held on Mondays and Wednesdays (4:30-6:30 pm, times vary depending on level) from September to June at St. Mark’s Church, 1111 O’Farrell, San Francisco. Times vary depending on level. Holidays and Winter and Spring Breaks are observed.
- East Bay – East Bay rehearsals are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays (4:30-6:30 pm, times vary depending on level) in Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland. Holidays and Winter and Spring Breaks are observed. East Bay choristers commute to San Francisco rehearsals and performances from time to time.
- Marin County (San Rafael)– Marin rehearsals are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays (4:30-6:30 pm, times vary depending on level) at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1123 Court Street, San Rafael. Holidays and Winter and Spring breaks are observed. Marin choristers commute to San Francisco rehearsals and performances from time to time.
- South Bay (San Mateo) – South Bay rehearsals are held on Mondays and Wednesdays (4:30-6:30 pm, times vary depending on level) at the Congregational Church, 225 Tilton Avenue, San Mateo. Holidays and Winter and Spring breaks are observed. San Mateo choristers commute to San Francisco rehearsals and performances from time to time.
