History & Mission

The San Francisco Composers Chamber Orchestra is a living laboratory for new orchestral music in the Bay Area.

The San Francisco Composers Chamber Orchestra (SFCCO) is one of the most unique orchestras in the nation—a bold, living laboratory for new music. Founded in 2001 by Drs. Mark Alburger and Erling Wold, the SFCCO is made up primarily of composer-performers, creating an ensemble built by and for creators. Our mission is simple but radical: to democratize the symphony orchestra, giving composers of every style and at every stage—from seasoned professionals to elementary school students—the opportunity to hear their work brought to life.

Since our debut concert in March 2002, the SFCCO has premiered more new works than many orchestras in the Bay Area. Our composers have ranged from first-time writers to internationally recognized artists whose honors include Emmys, Academy Awards, major fellowships, and academic prizes. The result is a vibrant, unpredictable mix of voices and styles—Neo-Romantic, Serial, Minimalist, Guided Improvisation, Neo-Classical, and beyond—often all in a single concert.

We perform the way orchestras once did in the great Classical and Romantic eras: when new music was the lifeblood of the concert hall and premieres were weekly events, not rare occasions. While most orchestras today focus on "museum music" from the 1700s and 1800s, the SFCCO proudly breaks that mold—presenting multiple brand-new works in every concert instead of just a few each year.

Our performances are as much about connection as they are about sound. We speak directly to our audiences before, between, and after pieces—sharing the stories, ideas, and creative sparks behind the music. Listeners leave with fresh insight, their own personal favorites, and the thrill of knowing they’ve witnessed something entirely new.

For more than two decades, the SFCCO has been a home for musical innovation in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area—first under the baton of Mark Alburger for 20 years, and now with the artistic leadership of conductor John Kendall Bailey. We’re not here to preserve the past. We’re here to create the future.

We are a collective of composer-performers dedicated to creating, performing, and championing new orchestral music. In a musical world where most orchestras prioritize familiar repertoire and established names, we exist to provide rare and vital access for living composers to hear their work performed with professional care and artistic commitment.

Rooted in the creative diversity of the Bay Area, we welcome composers of all styles, backgrounds, and career stages—from emerging voices to seasoned artists. Through our concerts, recordings, and community workshops, we bring new music to new audiences and expand what orchestral music can be.

Our mission is to make orchestral writing accessible, foster bold artistic development, and celebrate the living musical voices shaping San Francisco’s sound today—and tomorrow. We believe composers deserve to be heard without needing fame. We envision a world where orchestral music is alive, evolving, and reflective of the communities it serves.