Music
Find your rhythm.
From contemporary rock bands to our world-renowned Virtuoso Program for string musicians, SD students develop a love of music through instruction in chorus, jazz, pop, classical, theory, composition, and more. The Music Conservatory includes 30 rehearsal studios, while our world-class Carol Franc Buck Hall of the Arts provides students with unique opportunities for training, master classes, and public performance.
Studying music develops many of the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century. Students learn to set high personal standards, solve problems both individually and collaboratively, think creatively, and appreciate the relationship between commitment and achievement. We offer the nationally-recognized Virtuoso Program for string students who wish to explore a professional career in music, as well as a variety of music classes for students who seek to perform, produce and appreciate music in all of its forms.
The San Domenico Music Conservatory
The Conservatory at SD is home to our professional artist faculty, offering private and group instruction on piano, wind, string, percussion instruments, and voice in a broad spectrum of styles and a variety of ensembles, from chamber orchestra to a capella band. Our students have the unique opportunity to advance their musical knowledge during or after school, and enjoy the benefits of:
- studying with some of the top performing artist teachers in the Bay Area
- making use of our state-of-the-art-facilities and excellently maintained instruments
- performing regularly on stage in our acoustically engineered Hall of the Arts
- access to supervised practice rooms
Virtuoso Program
This nationally acclaimed pre-professional training program helps students explore their potential as string musicians through a rigorous academic and musical curriculum during their high school years.
![Allie Simpson at the Super Bowl]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1773960195/sandomenico/dg9sk37c3enr2um80iuy/AllieSimpsonSuperBowl-thmb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1773960195/sandomenico/dg9sk37c3enr2um80iuy/AllieSimpsonSuperBowl-thmb.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1773960195/sandomenico/dg9sk37c3enr2um80iuy/AllieSimpsonSuperBowl-thmb.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1773960195/sandomenico/dg9sk37c3enr2um80iuy/AllieSimpsonSuperBowl-thmb.jpg","width":810}])
In the News: Musicians with Marin ties perform at Super Bowl
From the Marin Independent Journal:
Alexandra Simpson took the field at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Feb. 8, Super Bowl Sunday. All her hard work and training had led up to this moment. She was ready to play — well, music, that is...
Don't miss...
![Dancers on stage in Middle School Arts in Action]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780415528/sandomenico/uirrhfwqtax0kwyibalx/MSArtsinAction2026-thmb-060226.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780415528/sandomenico/uirrhfwqtax0kwyibalx/MSArtsinAction2026-thmb-060226.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1780415528/sandomenico/uirrhfwqtax0kwyibalx/MSArtsinAction2026-thmb-060226.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1780415528/sandomenico/uirrhfwqtax0kwyibalx/MSArtsinAction2026-thmb-060226.jpg","width":810}])
Our annual Middle School Arts in Action is a celebration of dance, theatre, and music.
![Students enjoying the music performances at day on the green]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780415074/sandomenico/wklwaioxz4enwmr515v1/DayontheGreen-thmb-060226.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780415074/sandomenico/wklwaioxz4enwmr515v1/DayontheGreen-thmb-060226.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1780415074/sandomenico/wklwaioxz4enwmr515v1/DayontheGreen-thmb-060226.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1780415074/sandomenico/wklwaioxz4enwmr515v1/DayontheGreen-thmb-060226.jpg","width":810}])
A beloved San Domenico tradition, Day on the Green brings all divisions together for live performances, family fun, and community celebration.
![US Band and Raise Your Voice on stage at the Sweetwater]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1774368477/sandomenico/w26y7xwevjtqrsiuyojn/USBandSweetwater032426-thmb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1774368477/sandomenico/w26y7xwevjtqrsiuyojn/USBandSweetwater032426-thmb.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1774368477/sandomenico/w26y7xwevjtqrsiuyojn/USBandSweetwater032426-thmb.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1774368477/sandomenico/w26y7xwevjtqrsiuyojn/USBandSweetwater032426-thmb.jpg","width":810}])
Upper School Band Workshop students and the choral group Raise Your Voice performed alongside their teachers at the iconic Mill Valley venue, highlighting the talent, collaboration, and community at the heart of San Domenico’s music program.
From the Marin Independent Journal:
Alexandra Simpson took the field at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Feb. 8, Super Bowl Sunday. All her hard work and training had led up to this moment. She was ready to play — well, music, that is...
![Singers in the Grade 3-5 holiday show]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1766162371/sandomenico/q0whgvsay4c1y0jlomio/LSHolidayShow121925-thmb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1766162371/sandomenico/q0whgvsay4c1y0jlomio/LSHolidayShow121925-thmb.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1766162371/sandomenico/q0whgvsay4c1y0jlomio/LSHolidayShow121925-thmb.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1766162371/sandomenico/q0whgvsay4c1y0jlomio/LSHolidayShow121925-thmb.jpg","width":810}])
Where student talent meets heartfelt effort, and our stages shine.
![The Virtuoso program students performing with Allie Simpson directing]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1766086376/sandomenico/ov35gepp9j01x5141r0w/MarinIJ-AllieSimpson-121825-thmb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1766086376/sandomenico/ov35gepp9j01x5141r0w/MarinIJ-AllieSimpson-121825-thmb.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1766086376/sandomenico/ov35gepp9j01x5141r0w/MarinIJ-AllieSimpson-121825-thmb.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1766086376/sandomenico/ov35gepp9j01x5141r0w/MarinIJ-AllieSimpson-121825-thmb.jpg","width":810}])
From the Marin Independent Journal:
Violist Alexandra Simpson has accomplished a lot since she graduated from San Domenico School in 2011...
![Vivaldi at San Domenico 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1762384481/sandomenico/zim1zd9xemr9uzhndcjc/Vivaldi2025-thmb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1762384481/sandomenico/zim1zd9xemr9uzhndcjc/Vivaldi2025-thmb.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1762384481/sandomenico/zim1zd9xemr9uzhndcjc/Vivaldi2025-thmb.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1762384481/sandomenico/zim1zd9xemr9uzhndcjc/Vivaldi2025-thmb.jpg","width":810}])
The annual concert opens the season with joy, reflection, and reunion, celebrating 175 years of music and mentorship as former and current Virtuoso Program musicians share the stage once more.
![Lower School students playing percussion]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1758300273/sandomenico/h8b9652ekqggoeddsknu/LSPercussion091925-thmb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1758300273/sandomenico/h8b9652ekqggoeddsknu/LSPercussion091925-thmb.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1758300273/sandomenico/h8b9652ekqggoeddsknu/LSPercussion091925-thmb.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1758300273/sandomenico/h8b9652ekqggoeddsknu/LSPercussion091925-thmb.jpg","width":810}])
Through song, movement, and percussion, students learn not only technique but also teamwork, focus, and self-expression.
Meet the Team
At the heart of the program is our exceptional music faculty, whose distinguished members are accomplished professional musicians from around the Bay Area. Students enjoy the privilege of studying closely under and being mentored by our faculty, as well as benefit from masterclasses with frequently visiting guest artists.
