New Director For Community Music Center
Meet the newest member of our musical community: Christopher Borg, who landed in San Francisco last week to take the helm of the Community Music Center (CMC) on Oct. 1. Borg arrives fresh from the Groton School in Groton, MA, where he built an exemplary and musically diverse instrumental music program. Borg led the school community through several facility improvement projects and oversaw the program and its faculty in addition to his educational contributions. He taught private lessons and courses in music theory, coached chamber ensembles, and conducted the Groton School Chamber Orchestra.
After earning his BA in music history from Vassar College Borg attended Northwestern University School of Music where he received a Masters of Music degree in viola performance and orchestral studies. He succeeds previous director Stephen Shapiro, who has retired after a successful 33-year career as head of CMC.
"Joining the CMC community is a personal homecoming as I began my music training at an urban school with a similar mission," says Borg. "I look forward to working together to support music making in the Bay Area for generations to come."
Come meet Christopher Borg at CMC's 90th birthday party on Oct. 16. See details on the SFCMC Web site. From 2 to 6 p.m. there are free performances at the Capp Street concert hall, workshops, instrument petting zoo, and cake. And from 7 to 9 p.m. a dance party with CMC’s Latin-Flamenco ensemble, Potingue.
Guitarist Ashwin Krishna Has Pluck
This summer, 13-year-old Ashwin Krishna from Los Altos won second place in the 2011 Guitar Foundation of America International Youth Competition, a prestigious event attracting the best guitarists under age 14 from four continents. He also won a first prize in the Pacific Musical Society Competition, competing as a string player with some very accomplished peers. The South Bay Guitar Society presented the soft-spoken boy in recital on Sept. 24, to celebrate his recent accomplishments. Krishna became interested in the guitar when his dad, who also played, introduced the instrument to him at the age of 4. He likes it because of its soft and beautiful tone. “I play from Renaissance to modern pieces,” says Krishna. “My favorite piece is a modern piece with a bit of jazz in it, Introduction and Sunburst by Andrew York.” (See video.)
He is encouraged to participate in competitions by his teacher, Scott Cmiel in the Prep division of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and he and his family also seek them out. “They give me a sense of focus and I meet other guitar players,” says Krishna. “I’ve done the GFA four times so I knew everybody there. I got second place last year too.” And yes, he does set his eye on the first prize! Aside from this precocious musical talent, Krishna leads the typical life of an active young kid. He’s into Boy Scouts, plays soccer, runs track and plays sax in the band at his junior high school. He’s looking forward to practicing for more competitions, and accompanying his sister, who dances. Congratulations to Ashwin Krishna!
Central Market Arts Festival
It’s not too late to catch the last two Thursdays of the Central Market Arts Festival, (Oct. 6 and 13) featuring live music and art, food, and a handmade crafts fair. Special music and other activities enhance the weekly outdoor market in San Francisco’s United Nations Plaza. Presented by partner organizations, the Mayors Office of Economic Workforce and Development and Independent Arts and Media, it’s an ongoing effort to revitalize that part of the City with free arts, culture, and activity.
On Oct. 6, dubbed Pump Up the Music!, you can come help Rock the Bike power the funk, rock and hip-hop music showcase by pedaling a bicycle! That’s right, your human pedal power provides juice to the electric equipment and the After School Teen Rock program provides the tunes (noon – 5 p.m.). October 13 rolls out the Mid-Market Music Affair, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come hear a special afternoon of local music talents including Classical Revolution, band Con Brio and more! Download press release or complete Festival schedule here.