Collegium Musicum
Click on photos to hear performance samples!
Ages 10-17+
Collegium Musicum has performed to critical acclaim – despite the group's irreverent nature. Our members have been singing together for as long as 12 years, and on average 6. The kind of cohesion engendered by such a long-standing ensemble is rare amoung youth groups. We have developed a reputation for strong musicianship, challenging repertoire, musical character, subtlety of interpretation, and of course: self-accompaniment.
collegium: 1. An executive council of equally empowered members. 2. A group whose members pursue shared goals while working within a framework of mutual trust and respect. (American Heritage Dictionary)
collegium musicum: The original collegia musica came about during the Reformation, partially as a way for non-aristocratic lay-musicians — usually students — to perform sophisticated music, primarily for their own enjoyment. Under Bach and Telemann, these amateur ensembles were often both choral and instrumental.
St. Alban's Church
1501 Washington Ave.
Albany, CA 94706
(about a mile from Crowden)
Click on images above or below to play videos
Collegium Musicum has performed sets with the following choral organizations:
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San Francisco Boys Chorus (First, Second)
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Viva la Musica
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San Francisco Choral Society
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San Francisco Choral Artists
and participates in festivals:
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First (and last) annual West Bay Choral Festival
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HNU Choral Festival
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July 2023: Golden Gate International Choral Festival – where we definitely made a spash! Took silver in the Contemporary division.
This group is hugely rewarding; each semester, attrition amoung those who still live here is usually zero. The music is challenging, however, so we do hold an informal audition. Potential new members are asked to please arrive at the beginning of B musicum (10:30 a.m.) on the first day to learn the material with which to demonstrate vocal independence and a clean sound.
Note: because we are preparing for the July 2026 GGICF, we will not be accepting new students this spring, 2026. Those who wish to join us this fall 2025 will need to catch up on a few songs that we've already learned for the festival (guidance and learning recordings provided).
Collegium Musicum:
Saturdays noon - 1:30 10+
Fall Semester: Sept 6 - Dec 13
(no rehearsal 11/29)
14 weeks
Concert Dec 13
Tuition: $570 per semester
