Play loud, dress proud—our new online shop for merchandise is now open!⁠ ⁠ From ‘Undefeated in Sports Since 1917’ to classic beanies, bucket hats and baby onesies, SFCM has new and classic swag for everyone.⁠ ⁠ For SFCM fans in San Francisco, you can stop by the campus box office at the Ann Getty Center at 50 Oak Street to pick up gear: Merchandise can be purchased 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Merch and apparel in-house may be limited.⁠ ⁠ Otherwise shop online to grab your gear and represent the rhythm of our community wherever you go! For a limited time only, all online sales that use the discount code MusicMerch will get 15 percent off! ⁠ ⁠ Whether you're a student, alum, or a proud supporter, there's something for everyone!⁠ ⁠ Check out the new merch: https://bit.ly/43hBbXr (fb)

Although Tchaikovsky’s infamous cannon shots from his 1812 Overture are louder, there are few other joys a concert percussionist can have that compare to the climactic hammer smashes at the end of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 6. “This is like the holy grail of percussion,” 2025 grad Brandon Topolski says. “It's just one of the coolest things.” His teacher, San Francisco Symphony (SFS) Principal Percussionist Jacob Nissly, agrees: “These are moments that you go into percussion for, knowing that you're going to have them thrown your way. And you typically seek them out.” Read more about how a Chicago Symphony bassist built the perfect Mahler hammer box (used in this performance), why Mahler became the butt of a 1907 cartoon, and what makes the hammer blows one of the most nerve-wracking moments in percussion. ⬇ (fb)