Study, live, and play with passion.

San Domenico’s internationally recognized Music Conservatory and Virtuoso Program (VP) is designed for high school students who are developing their potential as professional string musicians and wish to dedicate themselves to a rigorous academic and musical curriculum. Day and boarding options are available for students from across the Bay Area and around the world.

Intensive Pre-College Musical and Academic Study

Our supportive environment, experienced music faculty, and state-of-the-art conservatory facilities foster an ideal environment for serious musicians in a college preparatory setting. VP students spend at least seven hours each week in orchestra, sectionals, chamber, and solo rehearsals, in addition to personal time devoted to rehearsing their repertoire. Students perform throughout the year and in a variety of venues as soloists, members of a chamber ensemble, and in the Orchestra da Camera. At the heart of the Virtuoso Program is our exceptional faculty whose distinguished members are professional musicians with reputations as experts in music pedagogy. The Program’s highly selective enrollment ensures that faculty members can work closely with students to help them through the challenges of learning advanced repertoire and technique, while also providing extensive individual mentoring, support, and encouragement to help students navigate educational and career decisions.

“I cannot express how grateful I am to be able to include music in my life with my violin every day. I am so passionate about violin and being able to participate in a program so fully committed to my music is indescribable.” Bella

Upcoming Performances

Each year the Virtuoso Program presents numerous public performances, providing students with opportunities to challenge themselves while sharing their music with a wide range of audiences.

Regular annual performances include Vivaldi at San Domenico, a beloved traditional season opener now approaching its 50th year; the Fall Chamber Music Concert, featuring works by composers such as Paganini, Mozart, and Schubert; a thematic Winter Concert that might include works by Shostakovich, Haydn, and Bach; the Spring Chamber Music Concert with elegantly crafted compositions from the likes of Schubert, Beethoven, and Bacewicz; and the Spring Orchestra Concert, which may see Virtuoso Program alumni return to the stage to join our students in a celebration of spring. Join us, as well, for many solo performances and school-wide events held throughout the year.

Calendar

Calendar

Musical Selections

Mozart: Allegro Divertimento in D Major, KV 136 for String Orchestra Movement I. Allegro.

Mozart: Allegro Divertimento in D Major, KV 136, for String Orchestra Movement II. Andante.

Mozart: Allegro Divertimento in D Major, KV 136, for String Orchestra Movement III. Presto.

Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings, Op. 48 Movement I. Pezzo in forma di Sonatina.

Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings, Op. 48 Movement II. Waltze.

Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings, Op. 48 Movement III. Elegie.

Mendelssohn: two movements from the Octet, Op. 30, arranged for String Orchestra.

“I admire the bravery not only of the musicians as they continually approach each new piece with beginner’s mind, but also the coaches, conductor, and teachers as they confidently raise these musicians to meet challenges with conviction.” Katharine, mother of Eden

In the News

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On stage at the All-School Orchestra Concert

Senior Honors and Young Talent: A Virtuoso Tradition

Lower School strings students joined Upper School Virtuoso Program students for the triumphant conclusion to a year of musical excellence.

VP students perform for the Dominican Sisters

VP Students Perform for San Domenico Community, from Newest to the Most Venerable

SD classical quartet delights new families in recent Virtuoso Program performances.

Dorm News: Virtuosic Performances in Music and Sports

Boarding community stays busy and entertained with classical music, basketball playoffs, community service, and dinner celebrations.

Backstage at Davies Symphony Hall

Virtuoso Program students enjoy the rare opportunity to watch Grammy-winning violinist Joshua Bell rehearse with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.

Celebrated VP Alum Sarena Hsu Visits SD

Following two performances at Sunday’s Grammys, the former Virtuoso Program musician shares insights and inspiration with San Domenico students.

Virtuoso Program Spring Orchestra Concert

Final concert of the year honors graduating seniors, and welcomes visiting alumni to join on stage.

VP Spring Chamber Concert Delights the House

Virtuoso Program quartets offer guests a special evening of chamber music.

Virtuoso Program: Concert for World Peace

Upper School musicians deliver a performance that soothes and delights the soul.

World-Class Music Facilities

San Domenico’s expansive 515-acre campus is nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by the rolling hills of San Anselmo, California.

On campus, students have daily access to our Music Conservatory with private practice rooms, rehearsal spaces, and the 300-seat Hall of the Arts, acoustically designed specifically for Virtuoso Program performances.

With our close proximity to San Francisco—just 30 minutes via the Golden Gate Bridge—many students choose to complement their robust VP studies with additional weekend study at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music or participate in other high-caliber programs, such as the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Merit Scholarship

Students accepted to the Virtuoso Program may be eligible to receive merit scholarship funding. This remarkable opportunity not only provides an education of excellence for all deserving students, it also preserves the impeccable quality of the Virtuoso Program by freeing it to only consider students who demonstrate abundant talent and a vigorous commitment to their education and music.

Preparation for the Future

VP students consistently matriculate to and receive merit scholarships from the best-rated colleges and conservatories in the nation, a testament to the particular combination of instruction and experience they receive in the Virtuoso Program. Despite increasingly competitive college admissions, prestigious schools continue to accept Virtuoso Program graduates, because our students have a reputation for being intelligent, talented, and driven to succeed. Virtuoso Program graduates contribute to their community as professional and amateur performers, music educators, music therapists, and active patrons of the arts.

“As my daughter moved through her four years at San Domenico, I became increasingly grateful for the nurturing and attentive environment provided to her by the school, and especially the Virtuoso Program. She has been encouraged, supported, held to a high standard and given opportunities for leadership that have helped her grow into a more capable and confident young woman.” Craig, father of Jessamyn

Join Us

The Virtuoso Program provides superior music instruction to talented high school string players (violin, viola, cello and bass) who wish to dedicate themselves to an intense pre-college course of music and academic study.

In addition to meeting San Domenico's academic admission standards, applicants to the Virtuoso Program are carefully screened for their musical potential and readiness to undertake intensive music study. The Program welcomes applications of string musicians who have achieved a technical level sufficient to perform standard solo concerto repertoire—which assumes 4-8 years of private study prior to attendance at San Domenico.

For more information on application and audition requirements, please contact Director of Music Rob DeNunzio at (415) 258-1921 or rdenunzio@sandomenico.org.