Harpist Jennifer Ellis is a dynamic contemporary performer who thoroughly enjoys defying traditional expectations of harp playing. It is in that spirit that she became the first harpist ever named a One Beat fellow–a cultural diplomacy program of the U.S. State Department in conjunction with Found Sound Nation.

EPSG:4326

Jennifer Ellis, harp

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Bask in the glow of winter’s light with a radiant program of music that shimmers like freshly fallen snow. New Century Chamber Orchestra and the San Francisco Girls Chorus unite in a performance that radiates warmth and wonder. In a season of reflection and renewal, let this concert be a moment of serenity and shared joy to brighten the longest nights.

In Winter’s Glow

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Tiburon, CA

First Congregational Church of Berkeley

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

Composition Chair David Conte is the composer of more than 200 published works, including seven operas, works for chorus, solo voice, orchestra, band, and chamber music. 

David Conte, composition

American writer Edgar Allan Poe wrote The Masque of the Red Death in 1842, partly inspired by a masque held in Paris in 1832 during a severe cholera epidemic. Suite No. 1 of David Conte’s Masque of the Red Death is based on music drawn from the first act of a projected two-act ballet. The work was commissioned in 1992 for the 75th anniversary of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. A revised version of the suite was commissioned by the Oakland Symphony, under conductor Michael Morgan, and premiered in 1994. The scenario for the ballet was written by Lawrence Pech, Founder and Artistic Director of Diablo Ballet and former Principal Dancer of the San Francisco Ballet.

Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy, first composed in 1869 and later revised twice, was his breakthrough orchestral work. Suggested by composer Mily Balakirev, who also guided its form and key structure, the piece marks an early fusion of Tchaikovsky’s lyrical Romanticism with the Russian nationalist style. Although its premiere was poorly received, the later revisions refined its symphonic drama and introduced the soaring love theme now known worldwide. Beneath its Shakespearean program lies Tchaikovsky’s own struggle for artistic confidence and emotional expression, turning a mentor’s assignment into one of the most passionate and enduring works in the orchestral repertoire.

Celebrating David Conte’s 70th birthday

Our 65th Anniversary Season opens with ECHOES — a concert that blends traditions of remembrance and celebration. Inspired by All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos, this program highlights the power of music to uplift, connect, and bring joy. From David Conte’s Three Mexican Folk Songs to Dan Forrest’s Introit-Kyrie from Requiem for the Living, Ēriks Ešenvalds’ O Salutaris Hostia to Bach’s Dona Nobis Pacem, and more, the afternoon unfolds in a rich tapestry of sound.

Echoes

San Dieguito United Methodist Church

St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral

The Orchestra opens its exciting season with Composition Chair David Conte’s evocative Sinfonietta in a celebration of the long-time faculty member’s birthday. Prélude à l’après-midi d’une faune is one of Debussy’s most famous works while Iberia is a vibrant and evocative piece that vividly portrays Spanish scenes and atmosphere through his signature impressionistic style. This concert also features student guest conductor Chih-Yao Chang.

SFCM Orchestra with Edwin Outwater

SFCM’s Faculty Artist Series is presented as an annual concert series featuring SFCM faculty in performance. This series showcases our world-class faculty to our community and audience members in personally curated repertoire.

FAS: David Conte, composition

Kristin Pankonin American Art Song Award Showcase

This recital is given in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Music. Kellan Dunlap is a student of Robin Rice. 

Kellan Dunlap, Tenor

Alice Pratt Brown Hall

San Francisco Choral Society

Calvary Presbyterian Church

The Cathedral of Christ the Light

Fall 2023 Concert

🏳️‍🌈 Part of BARS LGBTQ Composer and Performing Artist Series

BARS Fall Concert 2023

Seth Grosshandler’s surging, turbulent, Cayuga Lake-inspired overture, envisaged “as part of the dreamed-of re-opening of the world”; David Conte’s lyrical and romantic concerto full of long, arching melodies; and Alice Gomez’s 2017 chamber work 112 Degrees. Featuring soloist Emil Miland, cello.

Bay Area Rainbow Symphony

Please note: San Francisco will be hosting the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit this week. Street and highway closures will cause delays in transit into and out of the SFCM area. Please plan accordingly in attending our concerts this week, as we do hope to see you in the audience! For those of you who cannot make it to the concerts, SFCM will be livestreaming most concerts for the week.

Bowes Center

Join SFCM alumni Carolyn Bacon (MM Voice ’14) and Brian Fitzsousa (MM Composition ’16) for an evening that explores American song. With a blend of classical art song and musical theater, the program draws parallels between genres and represents how the artists’ careers have taken shape since graduation. Repertoire includes song by Composition Dept. Chair David Conte, Ned Rorem, Aaron Copland, Steven Sondheim, Adam Guettel, Carmel Dean, Kurt Weill, and others

David Conte

Events

Past events

May 3, 2026

Jennifer Ellis, harp · San Francisco Conservatory of Music

11 - 13 Dec, 2025

In Winter’s Glow · New Century Chamber Orchestra

About

David Conte hasn't added a bio