May 18, 4 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, San Francisco: The S.F. Girls Chorus Alumnae Chorus sings a program centered on the music that Johannes Brahms wrote for his hometown women’s chorus. If you’ve ever wondered about the work this famous choir does, here’s an excellent chance to find out. Brahms: Women and Beyond.
May 19, 1:30 p.m., Corin Courtyard, UC Davis: Kids in the Courtyard! The Mondavi Center at UC Davis sponsors a number of kids’ events throughout the year. This is the last of the season, but it should be fun: Kids 3-7 will be able to take a dance lesson led by Sacramento Ballet’s Education and Outreach Coordinator, Vanessa Bautista. What comes next? A family concert by pianist Lara Downes, featuring Davis High School Orchestra, and Mondavi Center Young Artists winner soprano Anush Avetisyan and girl soprano Lily Linaweaver in Dr. Seuss’ Gertrude McFuzz along with selections from Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals, and more. Kids in the Courtyard.
May 19, 7 p.m., Le Petit Trianon, San Jose: San Jose Chamber Orchestra presents NextGen: a special young artists’ concert. In this concert, the SJCO bring in their training orchestra to play side-by-side with the professionals, the soloist is 18-year-old Austin Huntington, and, best of all, two of the composers featured on the program are the two winners of the inaugural Allen Strange Composition Prize. Luckily, the conducting and coordinating is still in the hands of an adult, Anthony Quartuccio. NextGen.
May 19, 5 p.m., Carlmont High School Performing Arts Center, Belmont: Peninsula Youth Orchestra. Continuing the youth orchestra spring concert wave, this concert features two young soloists and two new works as well as the delightful overture to La Cenerentola by Rossini, and Morton Gould’s American Salute. Peninsula Youth Orchestra Season Finale Concert.
May 20, 8 p.m., Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse, Berkeley: Classical At the Freight: Young Artists Showcase. Speaking of young artists concerts, here’s one that is appealing because you get to hear from (and talk to) the young musicians during the concert. Run by the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, this series is a great way to introduce yourself (or your kids) to classical music. It features stories and conversation as well as music. Young Artists Showcase.