Join us for a wonderful Christmas celebration that includes a rich tapestry of musical traditions from the Spanish-speaking world, celebrating unity, cultural heritage, and the power of music to spread joy in these challenging times.

Almost 100 performers will be participating, featuring CMC’s Coro de Cámara, Coros de la Misión, Mariachi CMC ensemble, and several guest artists! The concert includes Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and traditional and folk Christmas songs from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina and Spain.

Directed by Martha Rodríguez-Salazar and featuring instrumentalists from CMC faculty, students, and SFUSD faculty.

Sunday, December 7 at 4 pm

Mission Dolores Basílica

3321 16th Street, San Francisco (entrance on Dolores St.)

Parking available in the schoolyard (enter on Church St.)

Tickets: $15 General/$10 Seniors/$5 Youth 18 and under - no one turned away for lack of funds.

You can purchase tickets online or at the door

GET TICKETS HERE

Following the performance, guests are invited to stay for a community celebration with piñata, hot chocolate, and tamales for sale—a perfect way to continue the holiday cheer.

Bernal Hill Players Concert

Come and enjoy the virtuosity and complexity of the classical chamber music tradition, infused with vibrant local musical influences such as Harlem jazz, Mexican son, Brazilian bossa nova, Argentinian tango, Peruvian folk music, and Appalachian blue grass.

Performers Martha Rodríguez-Salazar on flute, Leah di Tullio on clarinet, and Jennifer Peringer on piano will perform and chat about duets and trios for flute, clarinet and piano by composers Miguel del Águila, José Elizondo, Valerie Coleman, Libby Larsen, Gabriela Lena Frank, and Astor Piazzolla.

Starr King Way Performance Series

Unitarian Church 1187 Franklin St., SF

Sunday November 9, 2025 at 1:30 pm

$20 donation suggestion

Día de los Muertos concert with the San Francisco Symphony

Join us for San Francisco Symphony’s Día de los Muertos celebration!

Arrive an hour and a half early for activities, dedicated altars, and exquisite folk art in commemoration of Día de los Angelitos, or Day of the Little Angels, celebrated on November 1. This year’s them honors the memory of children through reflection, remembrance, and celebration. Then, experience a dynamic concert with conductor Lina González-Granados, cello soloist Santiago Cañón-Valencia, performers from Casa Círculo Cultural, and the SF Symphony for a celebration you don’t want to miss.

Martha Rodríguez-Salazar is the curator and music advisor for this event.

Saturday, November 1, 2025

1:30 pm Festivities

3:00 pm Concert

Día de los Muertos concert with the San Francisco Symphony

November 2, 2024 at 3:00 pm

This year, for the San Francisco Symphony’s 17th-annual Día de los Muertos celebration, we explore the origins of La Catrina, the iconic image widely used in the Día de los Muertos tradition, and the connection between three prominent 20th century artists in Mexico City: José Guadalupe Posada, Diego Rivera, and Frida Kahlo.

Special guests: conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto, trumpet player Pacho Flores, cuatro player Héctor Molina, and Casa Círculo Cultural.

Sunday, December 10 at 4pm Mission Dolores Basilica, San Francisco, CA

Enjoy a Christmas concert of festive choral music from Latin America and Spain in the beautiful Mission Dolores Basilica featuring performances by CMC’s Coro de Cámara and Older Adult Choirs Coro Solera, Coro del Centro Latino de San Francisco, and students of Beth Wilmurt. The concert includes Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and traditional Christmas songs from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina and Spain.

Directed by Martha Rodríguez-Salazar and featuring instrumentalists from CMC faculty, staff, and almuni faculty/students.

Sunday, November 5, 2023 from 4 - 6 pm

I will be participating with two of my Older Adult choirs from the Community Music Center and my ensemble Chile y Limón at Casa Círculo Cultural Día de los Muertos Festival in Redwood City.

November 4, 2023 at 2:00 pm

Día de los Muertos concert with the San Francisco Symphony

On Saturday November 4, the San Francisco Symphony will have their annual Día de los Muertos concert on my 16th anniversary of curating it. We are honoring the Maya culture. Special guests: Peruvian conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya, vocalist Edna Vázquez, pre Hispanic ensemble Canción de Obsidiana, and Casa Círculo Cultural.

October 29, 2023 at 2 pm

My chamber music ensemble The Bernal Hill Players performed at Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts for their Día de los Muertos Matinee Concert in collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony.

Gabriel Kahane’s emergency shelter intake form performances with the San Francisco Symphony.

November 5, 2022.

Día de los Muertos concert with the San Francisco Symphony

On Saturday November 5, the San Francisco Symphony had their annual Día de los Muertos concert which I have curated for the past 15 years. We honored the sacred rites and beliefs about death of the Indigenous cultures of the Americas. Special guests: Mexican conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto, trumpet soloist Pacho Flores, pre Hispanic ensemble Canción de Obsidiana, and Casa Círculo Cultural.

October 30, 2022.

I performed with The Bernal Hill Players in a Mexican chamber music matinee concert celebrating the Día de los Muertos. A string quartet from the San Francisco Symphony also participated in this free performance.

Last September I was invited to participate in Anfitrionía Opus 94 in Mexico City.