SF’s “Civic Strings” Free Concerts (2025/26)
The San Francisco Civic Music Association presents “Civic Strings” free concerts from Dec. 14, 2025 – May 17, 2026 at First Baptist Church!
“Civic Strings” concerts – a smaller, string-focused ensemble, especially tailored for players getting reintroduced into classical music. This group is a string orchestra that provides a gentle re-entry into ensemble playing for those who may not have played for many years. Civic Strings per forms music of the baroque and classical period with a focus on string technique for these eras.
Music Director & Conductor – Michelle Maruyama
2025 – 2026 SCHEDULE & PROGRAM
Sundays from Dec. 14, 2025 – May 17, 2026 | 3pm-5pm
First Baptist Church, 22 Waller St, San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)Sunday, December 14, 2025 – A Nordic Winter
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
PROGRAM:
- Jean Sibelius – Impromptu
- Antonio Vivaldi – Violin Concerto in A minor, RV 357
- Michelle Maruyama, violin soloist
- Antonio Vivaldi, Arranged by Mark Wood – “Vivaldi Rocks” — Wood’s riff on Antonio Vivaldi’s “Winter”
- Michelle Maruyama, violin soloist
- Johann Sebastian Bach – 2 Selections from Orchestral Suite No. 3, Air, Gigue
- Edvard Grieg – 2 Nordic Melodies, Op. 63
Michelle Maruyama – Music Director & Conductor
RSVP | Free Concert – Donations Accepted – Suggested Donation $10 – $20Sunday, March 1, 2026 – Colors of Spring
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
PROGRAM:
- Paul Basler – Divertimento for String Orchestra
- Antonio Vivaldi/Max Richter – Spring, from Recomposed, soloist TBA
- Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga – String Quartet No. 2 in A Major
- Servan Nichifor The Doctor’s Fiddle – *possible encore*
Michelle Maruyama – Music Director & Conductor
Free Concert – Donations Accepted – Suggested Donation $10 – $20Sunday, May 17, 2026 – Adoration
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
PROGRAM:
- Florence Price – Three Selections: The Deserted Garden, Adoration, A Gay Moment – from Thumbnail Sketches of A Day in the Life of a Washerwoman
- Georg Philipp Telemann – Viola Concerto in G Major, TWV 51:G9 Lisa Ponton, viola
- Joseph Haydn – String Quartet in D Major, Op. 20, No. 4
Michelle Maruyama – Music Director & Conductor
Free Concert – Donations Accepted – Suggested Donation $10 – $20
About San Francisco Civic Music Association
San Francisco Civic Music Association is an independent, non profit organization founded by members of the San Francisco Civic Symphony. The Association’s mission is to offer free concerts to the community and to provide a place where musicians of all levels can learn and perform. Our operations are paid for by donations from our musicians, listeners, and supporters.
SFCMA also provides free workshops during the summer for adults looking to improve their musicianship.
See their full 2025-2026 calendar of events.
Sunday, December 14
The San Francisco Civic Music Association presents “Civic Strings” free concerts from Dec. 14, 2025 – May 17, 2026 at First Baptist Church! “Civic Strings” concerts – a smaller, string-focused ensemble, especially tailored for players getting reintroduced into classical music. This group is a string ...
Sunday, March 1
The San Francisco Civic Music Association presents “Civic Strings” free concerts from Dec. 14, 2025 – May 17, 2026 at First Baptist Church! “Civic Strings” concerts – a smaller, string-focused ensemble, especially tailored for players getting reintroduced into classical music. This group is a string ...
Sunday, May 17
The San Francisco Civic Music Association presents “Civic Strings” free concerts from Dec. 14, 2025 – May 17, 2026 at First Baptist Church! “Civic Strings” concerts – a smaller, string-focused ensemble, especially tailored for players getting reintroduced into classical music. This group is a string ...
