Mission
San Francisco Girls Chorus prepares girls and young women from diverse backgrounds for success, on stage and in life, through rigorous, empowering music education, and enriches Bay Area cultural life through innovative vocal performance.
Vision
The vision of the San Francisco Girls Chorus is to produce performances of the highest artistic caliber; to provide music education for girls and young women from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds; to be a leader in the field through creativity and innovation; to give the girls and young women who participate in Chorus programs the skills, self-discipline and confidence to succeed in music and in life; and to instill in the choristers a lifelong love of music; and to communicate this passion through involvement with the greater community.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
At the San Francisco Girls Chorus, we believe that music reflects our shared humanity and is enriched by the varied voices and perspectives of all people. We are committed to fostering an environment where every individual—singers, families, staff, artists, and audiences alike—feels respected, valued, and empowered.
Our dedication is embedded in every aspect of our work: from our leadership and staff practices to our artist residencies and commissions, to the education and performance opportunities we provide. We acknowledge the histories of inequity and exclusion that have shaped our institutions, and we choose to lead with integrity, respect, and openness as we build a culture that honors difference as a source of strength.
About the San Francisco Girls Chorus
Founded in 1978, the San Francisco Girls Chorus (SFGC) brings together exceptional artistry and empowering music education, preparing girls and young women from diverse backgrounds for success on stage and in life. More than 400 singers, ages 4–18, from across the Bay Area participate in its six-level Chorus School and Premier Ensemble, a professional-level performance, recording, and touring ensemble. Through rigorous training and extraordinary performance opportunities, choristers develop their musicianship alongside confidence, discipline, collaboration, and leadership skills. Many spend a decade or more growing within SFGC’s supportive community, discovering the power of their individual voices. Tuition assistance helps ensure that financial circumstances do not stand in the way of participation. The Nancy Pelosi Leadership Speaker Series extends this commitment by connecting choristers with accomplished women from a wide range of fields.
A leading voice in contemporary choral music, SFGC expands the repertoire for treble voices through commissions, adventurous programming, and collaborations with renowned composers, ensembles, and guest artists. Alongside regular engagements with the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Symphony, artistic partners have included the San Francisco Ballet, SFJAZZ, Philip Glass Ensemble, The Knights, Opera Parallèle, Kronos Quartet, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, and New Century Chamber Orchestra.
SFGC’s artistic achievements include five GRAMMY Awards and four ASCAP/Chorus America Awards for Adventurous Programming. In 2002, it became the first youth chorus to receive Chorus America’s Margaret Hillis Achievement Award for Choral Excellence.
Approaching its 50th anniversary in 2028, the San Francisco Girls Chorus continues to shape the future of choral music and the lives of the young women who make it. Its legacy resonates in concert halls around the world and in generations of alumnae who carry their artistry, confidence, and leadership into their communities and careers.