FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    

Tuesday, June 6, 2023  

Contact: Mayor’s Office of Communications, mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org   

***PRESS RELEASE***   

MAYOR LONDON BREED INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES AND FILL COMMERCIAL VACANCIES  

Proposed legislation will make over 100 changes to the Planning Code to improve the small business permitting process and reduce restrictions on ground floor commercial spaces   

San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed today joined Supervisors Joel Engardio, Matt Dorsey, and Myrna Melgar to introduce legislation to facilitate easier permitting for small businesses, encourage economic recovery and growth, and fill commercial vacancies in San Francisco. This new legislation builds on the work that Mayor Breed has led over the last three years to change how San Francisco supports the ability of small businesses to open and operate, including passing ballot measures and opening a new one-stop shop Permit Center.    

Under the legislation, over 100 changes to the Planning Code will serve to ease restrictions across six main categories:  

• Allow more business uses on the ground floor  
• Lift restrictions on bars and restaurants  
• Incorporate new liquor license for music venues  
• Ease legalization process for existing outdoor patios  
• Remove certain public notice requirements  
• Enable priority processing for nighttime entertainment, bars, and restaurants  

“The success of our recovery requires us to keep making changes to how we support small business in this City,” said Mayor Breed. “Small business owners are some of our most creative people and we want our City to work in concert to get them to ‘yes’ when it comes to bringing their ideas to life. We must change our system of burdensome regulation, taxes, and fees. This legislation is a major milestone towards this effort.”    

In addition to this legislative proposal, Mayor Breed’s proposed budget extends First Year Free, which waives the cost of initial registration fees, initial license fees, first-year permit, and other applicable fees for qualifying businesses. Since the First Year Free program started in 2021, approximately 3,910 businesses have enrolled in the program, with 2,494 of these completely new, and the remainder are existing businesses adding a new location. The City has waived more than $1.37 million in fees since the program started.  

This legislation and extension of the First Year Free program are integral to Mayor Breed’s Roadmap to Downtown San Francisco’s Future. One of the nine strategies is to make it easier to start and grow a business. Simplifying City processes while reducing cost will encourage more businesses to start and remain in San Francisco.    

“We aim for San Francisco to be an attractive City for small businesses to begin, evolve, and thrive,” said Small Business Commission President Cynthia Huie. “The Commission is very enthusiastic about the proposed extension of First Year Free and greater flexibility and ease in the Planning Code and what it will mean for our city’s entrepreneurs.”   

Legislative Details  

Allow more business uses on the ground floor and as principally permitted  
Under the legislation “Flexible Retail” would be principally permitted and expanded to all neighborhoods on the ground floor across the City’s commercial corridors. An example of Flexible Retail includes a business that sells both plants and coffee, and then later shifts to selling plants and making small production bags on site. The proposed ordinance will also clarify that multiple uses are allowed in the same business space. Additionally, the legislation will allow “Professional Services” such as accounting, consulting or co-working spaces on the ground floor as principally permitted, opening up ground floor spaces to more opportunities to fill commercial vacancies.   

Lift restrictions on restaurants and bars  
Currently, several commercial corridors have restrictions in place for restaurants and bars, such as not permitting them, imposing a cap on the number of restaurants that can be established, or requiring a Conditional Use Authorization (CUA). Conditional Use Authorization is a lengthy process for businesses to be granted approval for their plans, including providing public notice and attending hearings – CUA can add months to the process of opening a business.   

Under the legislation, those restrictions will be lifted in Chinatown, along Haight Street, Jackson Square, and Taraval Street. Likewise, restrictions on new bars will be lifted along Haight Street, Jackson Square, Pacific Ave, Sacramento Street, and Union Street.   

Incorporate new liquor license for music venues  
The ordinance will incorporate into local Planning Code a new liquor license, Type 90, which was adopted by the State in 2022. This new liquor license type gives venues more options as it allows a music venue to serve beer, wine, and liquor without excluding minors from the business.   

Ease legalization process for existing outdoor patios  
Some of the City’s businesses have long-standing patios that were never permitted. Under the legislation, businesses with unpermitted patios that are at least 10 years old can legalize them without undergoing a Conditional Use Authorization process.   

Remove the public notice requirement in Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts for business changes  
In November 2020, voters adopted the “Save our Small Business Initiative” (Proposition H), which reduced the steps a business owner needed to take when they change their business use. Before this, if a clothing store, for example, were to become a café, the change would require that the general public be provided notice about the change for at least 30 days and the business could not receive their Planning Department approvals over-the-counter, even though both types of businesses are permitted in the neighborhood. Under the legislation, these benefits will be expanded to the commercial corridors in the eastern portion of the City.  

Enable nighttime entertainment, bars, and restaurants to benefit from priority processing at Planning Department/Commission  
Currently, nighttime entertainment venues, bars, and restaurants with full liquor licenses are excluded from participation in the Planning Department’s Community Benefit Priority Processing Program (CB3P). Under the legislation, nighttime entertainment venues, bars, and restaurants with full liquor licenses will benefit from expedited Conditional Use Authorization review, which can save a new business from months of waiting for a hearing at the Planning Commission.  

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the city,” said Mike Zwiefelhofer, owner of the Z. Cioccolato fudge shop and Legacy Business in North Beach. “Thriving commercial districts improve our quality of life. Changing the system of burdensome regulation and removing barriers helps creative entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life.”   

Previous Efforts to Support Small Business  

This legislation builds on the significant small business reforms Mayor Breed has advanced over the last three years including the passage of Prop H in 2020 and the passage of the Small Business Recovery Act. Since the City began implementing Proposition H in January 2021, over 3,500 businesses have benefited from the program, which allows more commercial projects to be processed within a shorter timeframe, in what’s known as “over-the-counter,” when permits applications are processed immediately upon submission.     

The City also opened the Permit Center in 2021, which offers 23 distinct service areas through the Planning Department, Department of Building Inspection, Department of Public Health, Department of Public Works, among others. By centralizing services in one place, customers can move between permitting departments efficiently, resulting in a better experience and improved government function. Since the start of this year, the Permit Center has served an average of 191 customers per day and provides on average 531 services daily.      

More information about San Francisco’s First Year Free program may be found on this page. 

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Media Contact:  DP&A, Inc / David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

7^th Annual Women in Leadership Forum Returns
 June 23  at the Westin St. Francis

Hotel Council of San Francisco Event
Aims to Empower Women in the Hospitality Field

Featuring California’s Highest-Ranking Stateswoman

www.hotelcouncilsf.org

Keynote Address by Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California

25 May 2023 – San Francisco, CA: The widely anticipated and wildly popular Women in Leadership Forum from the Hotel Council of San Francisco (www.hotelcouncilsf.org), is back for its seventh year – live and in person —  with a half-day program of networking and inspirational speakers. The event will take place Friday, June 23 (8am – 2pm) at The Westin St. Francis in San Francisco with an opening keynote address from Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California. Sponsored by Alaska Airlines, the event features a “who’s who” of California leaders from the world of hospitality, travel, government, and tech. Tickets are on sale now at https://hotelcouncilsf.org/events/.

The program will feature a special lunchtime chat with LinkedIn Career Expert, Catherine Fisher. Moderating this year’s sessions is Ella Sogomonian of KRON 4, with featured speakers and participants including Brooke Jenkins, San Francisco District Attorney; Marisa Rodriguez of Union Square Alliance; Papia Gambelin of United Airlines; Jyoti Sarolia of Ellis Hospitality; Carla Murray and Keri Robinson of Marriott International.

“Every year, we strive to create a platform for women to connect, learn, and grow professionally,” said Alex Bastian, President & CEO of the Hotel Council of San Francisco. “In 2023, we’re focusing on critical issues like health, well-being, and balance in the workplace. We believe that these are essential elements for women to thrive in their careers, and we’re excited to delve into these topics.”

The event will feature keynote speeches, fireside chats, panel discussions on topics such as combatting imposter syndrome, creating a healthy work-life balance, understanding and leveraging one’s network, broadening communication and negotiation skills, and finding passion and clarifying career goals. A full detailed schedule of panels, honorees and keynote speakers will follow in the coming days.

This year, the Women in Leadership Forum will collaborate with Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco in support of their mission to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. 

Each year, this gathering brings together a diverse group of professionals from various levels within the workplace and from a wide array of backgrounds,” said Bastian.  “Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from an array of curated leaders, who will share their insights, advice, and data supporting women’s career advancement and wage equality.”

Presenting sponsor for the 7^th Annual Women in Leadership is Alaska Airlines with additional support from sponsors Expedia Group, United Airlines, and Big Bus San Francisco. 

Tickets and tables for the 7^th Annual Women in Leadership Forum are on sale now at https://hotelcouncilsf.org/events/.

About the Hotel Council of San Francisco:
The Hotel Council of San Francisco is a non-profit membership-based organization advocating for the economic and social vitality of the hospitality industry in San Francisco. Their membership roster includes over 200 hotels, allied members, and partner organizations. The Hotel Council is dedicated to protecting the San Francisco hospitality industry and connecting its members to support the growth and success of the industry.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023  

Contact: Mayor’s Communications Office, mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org   

***PRESS RELEASE***  

MAYOR BREED’S ROADMAP TO DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO’S FUTURE: THREE MONTH PROGRESS UPDATE  

Major legislative changes, administrative reforms, new programs to transform and activate Downtown’s corridor, and other work moving forward as part of plan to revitalize Downtown   

 
San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed today provided a three-month update on the Roadmap to Downtown San Francisco’s Future, which is the City’s plan to transform Downtown into a stronger, resilient, economic and global destination.   

Mayor Breed set out her vision for a revitalized Downtown at her State of the City address earlier this year on February 9^th when she announced the launch of the Roadmap, along with five key priorities:   

• An economically diverse and resilient job engine   
• A welcoming clean and safe environment  
• A dynamic destination active at all hours, every day   
• A world class transportation experience   
• An equitable economy that supports full participation by all     

In the Roadmap’s first three months, the City has reached major milestones that will improve the future of Downtown and San Francisco as a whole, while attracting tourists, workers, and businesses to this important economic corridor.  

“I am proud of the aggressive first steps we’ve taken to support Downtown, but we have a lot more work to do,” said Mayor London Breed. “Reimagining Downtown is going to require long and hard work, and it’s going to require us to have the vision to set our future. It’s in our DNA as San Franciscans to think bigger always and dream of the possibilities of what our City can be, and that’s what the Roadmap is all about.” 

 In May 2023, the key quarterly milestones for the Roadmap to Downtown San Francisco’s Future include: 

Strategy 1: Ensure Downtown is clean, safe, and inviting with smart and strategic investments that increase public safety and improve street conditions in a coordinated, efficient, and effective manner.      

Status: 

• Passed legislation providing $25 million for police overtime to maintain an adequate level of public safety response and approving a new police contract to improve officer attraction and retention.   
• Extended contracts for Mid-Market Safety Ambassadors to provide non-police responses to urgent street conditions and Downtown Welcome Ambassadors to help visitors throughout the Financial District, Union Square, and the waterfront.   
• Announced the Home by the Bay Plan to reduce unsheltered homelessness by half over the next five years.    

“Safe and Clean streets are of the utmost importance when looking at the future of Downtown,” said Wade Rose, President of Advance SF. “This is only the beginning, but we applaud Mayor Breed and City Hall for focusing on this issue and for their execution of initiatives that aim to make Downtown a welcoming neighborhood for all.”  

Strategy 2: Attract and retain a diverse range of industries and employers by identifying and recruiting strategic sectors that support San Francisco’s resilience.   

Status:  

• Introduced new tax policy legislation to pause previously scheduled business tax increases for struggling businesses and create an Office Attraction Tax Credit for new office-based businesses through 2028.   
• Initiated a business tax reform process to make the City’s tax structure more resilient and attractive.    

“I share Mayor Breed’s vision that we must attract and retain a diverse range of businesses and industries to revitalize our downtown,” said Rodney Fong, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce. “Today’s update to the Roadmap for Downtown San Francisco’s Future is another step towards a safer, cleaner, and more vibrant downtown where residents, visitors, and workers all want to spend time.”  

Strategy 3: Facilitate new uses and flexibility in buildings by maximizing the ability to update and adapt office buildings to meet the needs of new interested tenants.   

Status:   

• Introduced Downtown zoning legislation to allow new uses and activities, support new businesses in Union Square, and create an Adaptive Reuse Program for the conversion of underutilized office buildings to housing. This legislation is actively underway and will be heard by the Board of Supervisors in June.  

“The Mayor’s Downtown Roadmap presents a comprehensive vision for the future of downtown, transforming it from a single-use workplace to a vibrant, 24/7, mixed-use district where people from all walks of life feel they belong,” said Sujata Srivastava, San Francisco Director, SPUR. “Office-to-residential conversion projects activate vacant downtown buildings and create much-needed workforce housing in San Francisco. The legislation introduced by the Mayor and President Peskin will remove regulatory hurdles to adapt vacant office spaces into housing and facilitated the adaptation of downtown buildings into diverse businesses. SPUR looks forward to working in partnership with the City to implement additional policies that foster a more resilient and diverse downtown.”  

Strategy 4: Make it easier to start and grow a business by creating transparency, streamlining processes, and building out systems to support new businesses opening in San Francisco.   

Status:  

• Launched the Vacant to Vibrant program to match aspiring entrepreneurs and artists with vacant ground floor space Downtown, star-up grants, and permitting assistance.      
• Announced legislation to simplify small business permitting by removing barriers and allowing more flexibility.  

“I started my jewelry business as a way to share my culture with others, said Superna Grover, owner of local small business, Suvarn Jewels. “The programs the City has put forward now are incredibly helpful for small businesses like mine – the Bhangra and Beats Night Market activation downtown where we were able to have a booth recently as well as the Vacant to Vibrant Pop-Up Small Business program that we’ve applied to, provide much needed exposure for us. We’re so grateful for all of these programs and the policy reforms the Mayor has made around permitting. It’s a great time to start a business in San Francisco!”  

Strategy 5: Grow and prepare our workforce by preparing San Franciscans for growing industry sectors, as well as new ways to unlock housing production and ensure the city has adequate housing to meet the demands of a growing labor force.   

Status:  

• Implementing the Mayor’s Housing for All plan by creating new infrastructure financing tools, announcing site permit process reforms, and introducing comprehensive housing streamlining legislation.   
• Expanding outreach to grow our workforce with hospitality sector, small business, and City job fairs.   

“In the last three months, we have seen Mayor Breed and her team investing in public safety, working with us to recruit and expand our workforce, and leaning into our city’s strengths as an international leader on arts and culture through activations,” said Alex Bastian, President and CEO of the Hotel Council of San Francisco. “These activations include the Yerba Buena Art & Makers Market, Union Square in Bloom, Bhangra & Beats Night Market in the Financial District, and the Our Place in the Park AAPI film festival in SOMA. We need to work together to support these actions, as well as other forthcoming investments, that our Mayor is making on behalf of our city.”   

Strategy 6: Transform Downtown into a leading arts, culture, and nightlife destination by creating an entertainment zone and seeding new businesses, events, activities, and experiences for a more vibrant Downtown.   

Status:  

• Supporting activations and events including the Yerba Buena Art & Makers Market, Union Square in Bloom, Bhangra & Beats Night Market in the Financial District and the Our Place in the Park AAPI film festival in SOMA.  

“Downtown is the heart of the city and where most visitors choose to stay,” said Joe D’Allesandro, President and CEO of SF Travel. “New reoccurring activations like the Bhangra & Beats Night Market and Yerba Buena Art & Makers Market add incredible vibrancy to Downtown and make San Francisco an even more compelling destination. These types of events, along with annual ones such as the Pride Parade march down Market Street, showcase what makes San Francisco so exciting—its diversity, innovative spirit and positive energy—and help attract visitors from across the globe.”  

Strategy 7: Enhance public spaces to showcase Downtown by investing in enhancing and expanding plazas, alleyways, and other public space to improve people’s experience of Downtown.   

Status:  

• Funding the Powell Street Promenade to refresh a key gateway to Union Square and help fill retail vacancies.   
• Completed the transition of the emergency Shared Spaces program to a permanent tool for street activation.    

“Union Square stands as our crown jewel, a beacon of pride for all San Franciscans and residents of the Bay Area,” said Marisa Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Union Square Alliance. “It is where we gather to work, celebrate life’s moments, and find inspiration. This significant investment by Mayor Breed and Board President Peskin to transform Powell Street will help make an unforgettable first impression for many visitors that sets the tone for the entire city. By attracting businesses and re-establishing a vibrant atmosphere, we lay the foundation for a prosperous future.”  

  
Strategy 8: Invest in transportation connections to maintain access to Downtown by every mode of transportation available while continuing to improve the reliability, efficiency, and quality of service.   

Status:  

• Launched the 1X California Express pilot connecting the Outer Richmond to the Financial District.    
• Completed protected bike lanes on Battery and Sansome between Market and Broadway.  

“Clean, reliable, and safe transit options are an absolute necessity when it comes to bringing folks back into our cities centers and keeping them thriving,” said Jim Wunderman, CEO and President of Bay Area Council. “For folks to return to San Francisco’s offices, shops, restaurants and more, they must be as accessible as possible. We applaud the Mayor on her work to improve transit to downtown San Francisco and are excited for the investment to come.”  

Strategy 9: Tell our story through proactive marketing to emphasize our strengths and reclaim our brand.   

Status:  

• Partnered with SF Travel to launch a national Always San Francisco campaign in May to remind visitors of our unique allure.
• Released the Make Your Future San Francisco campaign to invite entrepreneurs and innovators Downtown. 

“As the Executive Director of OEWD which is focused on the Roadmap to Downtown San Francisco’s Future, I’m thrilled to see the City making such great progress in just three months,” said Kate Sofis, Executive Director of the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “The Mayor has set forward a powerful agenda that will bring Downtown, our business community, the arts, and innovation roaring back here in San Francisco — and we’re just getting started.”  

To learn more about Mayor Breed’s vision for San Francisco’s Downtown future, please visit sf.gov/downtownroadmap.  

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Crowden School Launches 40^th Anniversary Year with Spring Concert Thursday, May 25

Evening Features Premiere of New Commission for String Orchestra
by Crowden Alum Gabriella Smith

23 May 2023 – Berkeley, CA: The acclaimed Crowden School (www.crowden.org) kicks off its 40^th anniversary year by celebrating the accomplishments of its inspiring Crowden School musicians at this annual end-of-the-year musical extravaganza, Thursday, May 25, 6:30pm (1475 Rose Street, Berkeley, California).  This all-school concert features chamber music, choruses, and orchestras, shining a spotlight on Crowden’s Upper School students in particular. This year’s premiere features a new commission for string orchestra, Capybaraologyin honor of Crowden’s 40th anniversary by Crowden alum Gabriella Smith.

“We are thrilled to premiere Crowden alumna Gabriella Smith’s piece for string orchestra, Capybaraology, at our upcoming Spring Concert to launch Crowden’s 40th anniversary season,” said Crowden Artistic Director  Eugene Sor. “Reflective of so many alumni who have attended The Crowden School and have participated in our acclaimed community programs over the past four decades, Gabriella embodies Crowden’s spirit of curiosity, creativity, and community-mindedness. It is an honor to continue to work with brilliant young Crowden students, who like Gabriella and the generations of alumni before them, will surely develop into amazing adults who make a significant impact on the world.”

Smith attended The Crowden School for two years, and later returned to study in Crowden’s John Adams Young Composers Program. She is a frequent guest artist for both programs.

“I approached this piece by recreating all the things I enjoyed doing on my violin at that age: exploring new sounds and techniques, harmonics, groove, and pretty melodies passed around the ensemble,” said Smith, 31. “I also included a technique called aleatory, a type of guided improvisation, that I did not learn about until a few years later as a teenager. This type of flexible timing is central to the feel of my work as a whole and also a nice reminder that music is not just about the notes and rhythms, but about having fun and looking at, listening to, and responding to each other. After I finished the piece, I asked if the students would enjoy coming up with a title for it. A few weeks later, I received a list of their title suggestions and was delighted to discover that a surprising number were related to capybaras, the world’s largest rodent, that lives in the rainforests. So in honor of their love of capybaras, I decided to call the piece Capybaraology.”

In addition to the Capybaraology performance on May 25, Smith’s work will also be featured under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel that same evening with her Los Angeles Philharmonic commission Lost Coast.

When violinist Anne Crowden founded the Crowden School in 1983, she called it her “Grand Experiment.” She was entering unknown territory, and she certainly never imagined that her dreams of a supportive educational environment for musical children would develop into a thriving, established Bay Area cultural institution. Anne succeeded because of the quality of her vision and musical standards, and the force of her personality. Like Anne herself, Crowden inspires unusual dedication and passion.

Today, Crowden is a home for all to explore, to learn, to rehearse, to perform, and to listen to music. Between its rich array of music education offerings for the general public, day school for grades 3 to 8, concerts and events, and community partnerships, Crowden serves roughly 8,000 individuals each year. Anne’s unique stamp—the commitment to musical excellence, the intimate family atmosphere, the particular passion for chamber and new music, the deep experience of interdisciplinary and creative learning—still combine into that tangible Crowden magic.

In 2021, with a $10 million gift from the Getty Foundation, the Crowden Board of Trustees established the Ann and Gordon Getty Fund, to further Mr. and Mrs. Getty’s commitment to opening the doors to a Crowden education for all children and to reduce financial barriers to accessing a Crowden education for often marginalized groups of young people.

Ann and Gordon Getty’s extended relationship with Crowden spans over three decades. In addition to this truly transformative gift and annual support from the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Getty have hosted regular receptions in their home to nurture the creative endeavors of Crowden’s young musicians, introducing many emerging talents to their first influential audiences. A composer himself, Mr. Getty has a particular interest in the incubation of young composers and was instrumental in founding Crowden’s John Adams Young Composers Program.

“Ann and Gordon have always valued Crowden’s philosophy of blending music with academic scholarship as the secret to a balanced education, and the foundational work that we specialize in,” remarked Crowden’s Director Emeritus Doris Fukawa. “Crowden started as a labor of love by teachers and that continues today. We really see each student, and we care, and our students know that—they feel seen, and are comfortable being and finding themselves. Our shared love for music, and the joy of playing together, translates for our students into a lifelong curiosity and passion for learning in all areas.”

In a few weeks, the Crowden School will announce details of its full schedule for its 40^th anniversary year with the following “Save the Dates” put forth for advance calendaring:

• May 25, 2023            
  Crowden School Spring Concert featuring premiere from Gabriella Smith (Crowden School ’05 and John Adams Young Composers Program)
•  September 17, 2023
  Sundays @ Four: Baumer String Quartet (featuring Crowden alums Nathan Olson (’00), David Requiro (’99), and Aaron Requiro (‘95))
• October 8, 2023                   
  Community Music Day
•  November 12, 2023             
  Sundays @ Four: Jay Campbell (’03)
• February 17–19, 2024         
  Chamber Music Festival featuring Alexander String Quartet
• March 3, 2024          
  Sundays @ Four: Fry Street Quartet
• Spring (March or April) 2024         
  Crowden School Tour
• April 21, 2024                       
  Sundays @ Four: Catalyst Quartet featuring Crowden alum Karla Donehew Perez (‘99)
• May 10, 2024            
  Crowden School Spring Concert
• May 25, 2024            
  40th Anniversary Concert (Hertz Hall) & Reception
• May 26, 2024            
  Alumni Brunch (at Crowden)
• June TBD                   
  Cello Bash

.  For more information, go to www.crowden.org 

About The Crowden School:

The Crowden School for grades 3–8 combines inspiring, collaborative academics with daily music to empower students to become their best, most curious and confident selves. The Crowden School’s project-based academics challenge students to develop critical thinking skills, curiosity, self-confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Small class sizes and close student-teacher interactions give each student the opportunity to be recognized and appreciated as a unique individual, and to develop confidence in themselves and their abilities.

Established in 1983 and still the only school of its kind in the country, Crowden’s unique chamber music inspired curriculum features intellectually engaging academics side by side with its esteemed music program. Experiential learning, Socratic questioning, and discussion inspire curiosity about the world, while interdisciplinary projects engage students in active problem-solving, tap into their creativity, and build independence. This approach cultivates an environment of empathy and trust, and fosters close bonds of friendship and respect among students.

Learn how music changes everything at https://www.crowdenschool.org.

Crowden School Spring Concert Program

In addition to Capybaraology, the program includes chamber, choral, and orchestral works by:

·        Richard Meyer

·        Wu Man

·        Charlton Singleton

·        Gioacchino Rossini

·        Ludwig van Beethoven

·        Felix Mendelssohn

·        Lajos Bárdos

·        Robert Hugh

·        Irving Berlin

·        Serge Rachmaninoff

·        Alexander Glazunov

·        W.A. Mozart (including 1 piece arranged by Crowden faculty member Arkadi Serper)

·        P.I. Tchaikovsky

·        Franz Schubert

·        Johannes Brahms

·        Sviridov/Shostakovich/Khachaturian (arr. by two Crowden faculty, Eugene Chukhlov, Arkadi Serper)

·        G. F. Handel, arr. Nelson

·        Leroy Anderson’s Fiddle Faddle (traditional close to all Crowden School Spring Concerts)

About Crowden Music Center:

Crowden Music Center, a nonprofit Berkeley cultural institution founded in 1983, is committed to excellence in education, performance, and creative endeavor, and to the cultural enrichment of the larger community. It serves over 8,000 individuals each year with a rich array of music education programs and concerts, including more than 1,000 community music students of all ages and levels of experience. Crowden is renowned as an innovative incubator of young musicians and composers, and children in general, with its focus on using the collaborative art of chamber music in remarkable ways to nurture, inspire, and develop young people in their formative stages. Flagship programs include The Crowden School for grades 3–8, the John Adams Young Composers Program, and Crowden’s esteemed chamber music programs for youth and adults. We believe that music is an inherent part of being human, and we believe in the power of music to change lives—indeed, to change everything.

About Gabriella Smith:
Crowden connection: Gabriella attended The Crowden School (Class of 2005), and later studied in the John Adams Young Composers Program.  Composer Gabriella Smith grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area playing and writing music, hiking, backpacking, and volunteering on a songbird research project. Described as “the coolest, most exciting, most inventive new voice I’ve heard in ages” (Musical America) and an “outright sensation” (LA Times), Gabriella’s music comes from a love of play, exploring new sounds on instruments, building compelling musical arcs, and connecting listeners with the natural world in an invitation to find joy in climate action. Recent highlights include the premiere of her organ concerto, Breathing Forests, written for James McVinnie and LA Phil, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen; performances of Tumblebird Contrails by San Francisco Symphony and Esa-Pekka Salonen, both at home and on their European tour; and the release of her first full-length album, Lost Coast, recorded in Iceland with cellist Gabriel Cabezas, named one of NPR Music’s “26 Favorite Albums Of 2021 (So Far)” and a “Classical Album to Hear Right Now” by The New York Times. Gabriel and Gabriella have since debuted a (cello-violin-voice-electronics) duo version of Lost Coast at the Philharmonie de Paris, and in May 2023 Gabriel will premiere the cello concerto version of Lost Coast with LA Phil, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.

About Capybaraology:

Capybaraology is a Crowden commission by Crowden alum Gabriella Smith, in honor of Crowden’s 40^th Anniversary. Written for string orchestra and conductor, it will be premiered by 18 Crowden School  students, in fifth–eighth grades, and conducted by Crowden Artistic Director Eugene Sor. Preview an excerpt of Capybaraology, performed at Crowden’s Spring 2023 Benefit April 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhq_xHQoZ_w