San Francisco Classical Voice

About San Francisco Classical Voice San Francisco Classical Voice (SFCV) is an online platform dedicated to providing high-quality, free, original journalism in the field of classical music within the Bay Area. Founded in 1998 by Robert Commanday, a retiree from print journalism with a passion for cultural reporting, SFCV emerged as a response to the limitations of print journalism and the growing potential of the Internet. At its inception, the Internet was still in its developmental stages, and personal computers and mobile devices were not as advanced as they are today. Despite these challenges and his limited experience with the Internet, Commanday, supported by his wife Mary and financial backing from philanthropist Gordon Getty, launched SFCV to create an online history of classical music that would reach audiences far beyond the capabilities of traditional print media. SFCV began by covering a wide array of local music events, many of which were underrepresented or overlooked by mainstream journalism. This included performances by the San Francisco Choral Society, Old First Concerts, Goat Hall Productions, various chamber music societies, contemporary music groups, and regional symphonies such as the California Symphony and the Marin Symphony. As the Internet evolved, SFCV recognized the need to adapt and in the mid-2000s, the board of directors initiated a significant transformation. They raised funds and hired experienced professionals to develop a modern website, a project that took two years to complete. Despite the challenges posed by the 2008 financial crisis, SFCV persevered with the support of its backers, including continued grants from the Hewlett Foundation. The efforts of the SFCV team culminated in the website being recognized as one of the top five arts websites in America at the 2009 National Summit on Arts Journalism. The site's popularity soared, with a 150 percent growth in visits by December 2011. Today, SFCV remains true to Commanday's original vision of serving the arts community and its audiences through quality journalism. The platform continues to innovate, connecting new audiences to classical music through various features such as an extensive events calendar, a ticket-discounting program, a multimedia database of composer biographies, a glossary of musical terms, and a comprehensive list of music teachers in the Bay Area. SFCV's mission extends to engaging audiences, artists, and arts organizations, fostering meaningful connections through its music journalism. The organization is committed to racial equity and non-discrimination, both within its work environment and through its editorial content and services. SFCV invites feedback and ideas from its readers, emphasizing community engagement and the continuous evolution of its offerings to better serve the classical music landscape of the Bay Area.