Who are we? The San Francisco Early Music Society is the Bay Area’s portal for early music, promoting engagement with historically informed performance spanning centuries and cultures, and creating a community reflective of our region’s diversity.
Approaching a half century as the Bay Area’s portal for early music, The San Francisco Early Music Society’s 49th concert season, “Fertile Gardens,” showcases vibrant styles and traditions spanning nearly a millennium, celebrating the beauty and variety of historical musical styles in blossom and in full bloom. From the earliest written Medieval polyphonic music to the refined splendor of the high Renaissance—
and as well as virtuosic Baroque masterworks, the Classical period in Vienna, and living traditions with ancient roots beyond Europe—curious listeners and early music aficionados alike can experience the dazzling world of early music in ”Fertile Gardens.”
Vajra Voices
with Shira Kammen | Feb 27-March 1
Vajra Voices—the Bay Area’s soul-stirring women’s vocal ensemble—bridges 11th-century polyphony with American traditions of devotional singing in Aquitania to Appalachia: Our Ancient Belonging.
Joined by the inventive multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Shira Kammen, the ensemble will explore the powerful synergy of singing and prayer in “rich, electric, full-blooded” ensemble. As the Irish spiritual teacher John O’Donahue (1956–2008) writes: “Prayer is the voice of longing that reaches outward and inwards to unearth our ancient belonging.”
Aquitania to Appalachia: Our Ancient Belonging
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 7:30 PM
First Presbyterian Church
1140 Cowper Street at Lincoln, Palo Alto
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 7:30 PM
First Church Berkeley UCC (First Congregational)
2345 Channing Way
SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 4:00 PM
St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church
500 De Haro St, San Francisco
SFEMS Summer Workshops
SFEMS Summer Workshops return to downtown Berkeley in Summer 2026, offering immersive, week-long opportunities to explore early music with internationally renowned faculty. All levels are welcome.
SCHEDULE:
The Berkeley Festival and Exhibition (BFX)
Returns June 7–14, 2026
Produced by the San Francisco Early Music Society, BFX is one of the world’s leading early music gatherings. The Mainstage schedule will be announced in January 2026, with Fringe and Exhibition registration opening shortly thereafter.
Save the Date
Help Celebrate Our 50th Anniversary!
Since 1976, we’ve been the Bay Area’s portal for early music. Our Pay-It-Forward campaign will underwrite SFEMS’ expansive programming: sustaining pay-what-you-can ticketing, supporting our main stage concert series, sustaining the Berkeley Festival & Exhibition, and bolstering our summer educational workshops—the largest such program for amateurs in the United States.
Support SFEMS!
Become a member of your favorite portal to early music in the Bay Area and beyond!
Your tax-deductible donation is a vote for the future of early music.