Music

Our college calendar is full of engaging activities and events that deepen students’ learning and connection to our campus community. Learn more about these dynamic events happening each semester at San Diego Mesa College and personalize your college experience.

 

Announcements 

Applied Music Auditions:   

FALL: Aug. 27, 2026 - 4-5pm in Room C-119 - 5 spots open    

           (Need Jazz drums, bass, saxophone, Classical piano, vocal)

SPRING: Feb. 4, 2027 - 4-5pm in Room C-119

 

Applied Music Juries:

SPRING: May 19, 2026 - 4-6pm in C-116 & C-119

FALL: Dec. 8, 2026 - 4-6pm in C-116 & C-119

SPRING: May 18, 2027 - 4-6pm in C-116 & C-119

 

MUSIC DEPT. ZOOM MEETINGS 

Music Faculty & Contract Staff:

FALL:       Aug. 20, 2026 - 1-3pm ZOOM 

                Oct. 6, 2026 - 4-5pm ZOOM

SPRING: Jan. 28, 2027 - 1-3pm ZOOM 

                March 9, 2027 - 4-5pm ZOOM

 

 

SAL FACULTY MEETINGS: 1-3pm in G-101

FALL 2026: Aug. 21, 2026

SPRING 2027: Jan. 29, 2027

 

Convocation: 8:00am-12:00pm in Gym

FALL 2026: Aug. 20, 2026

SPRING 2027: Jan. 28, 2027

 

Events: Spring 2026

 

May 20, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119 - San Diego Mesa College Guitar Ensemble, directed by Ian Bassett

 

May 21, 2026 - 7:00-8:30pm - Free Applied Music Student Classical Recital in C-119 - Applied Music Students, directed by Dr. N. Scott Robinson

 

May 22, 2026 - 5:00-6:00pm - Applied Music Jazz Students at Golden Scissors Fashion Show in Mesa Commons Quad, directed by Dr. N. Scott Robinson

 

May 26, 2026 - 7:00-8pm - Free Composition Recital on SD Mesa YouTube Channel - Composition Students, directed by Dr. Charles Washington

 

May 27, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119 - Applied Music Students, directed by Dr. N. Scott Robinson

 

May 28, 2026 - 7:00-8:00pm - Music Dept. Spring Concert in C-116/C-119 - San Diego Mesa College Guitar Ensemble, directed by Ian Bassett, San Diego Mesa College Choir, directed by Dr. J. Craig Johnson & San Diego Mesa College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ian Tordella

 

May 30, 2026 - 2:00pm - Graduation at Merrill Douglas Stadium - 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego CA 92111 (near Lot 3) - San Diego Mesa College Choir members perform national anthem, directed by Dr. J. Craig Johnson

 

Parking Info.

Events: Fall 2026

 

Sep. 2, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119

- KS Resmi, Vocal - South Indian Carnatic Vocal Music Trio with Nivik Bharadwaj, Violin & Vijay Sundar, Mridangam

 

Sep. 9, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119

Adrienne Nims and Dan Bailey, Flute, Saxophone and Piano

 

Sep. 16, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119

San Diego Bluegrass Society

 

Sep. 23, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119

Ed Kornhauser - Jazz trio

 

Sep. 30, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119

Tasha Smith-Godniez - Classical Solo harp

 

Oct. 7, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119

Fred Benedetti - Classical guitar

 

Oct. 14, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119

Cobby Brezki - Jazz flute & vocal

 

Oct. 20, 2026 - 1:30-2:30pm - Free - Jazz in the Courtyard - between C1 & C2 buildings - San Diego Mesa College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ian Tordella

 

Oct. 21, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119

Duo Nova: Yewon Lee & Hyun-jeong Ahn - Classical Piano Duo

 

Oct. 26, 2026 - 7:00-8:00pm - Free Concert in C-116/C-119 - San Diego Mesa College Music Department Showcase - San Diego Mesa College Guitar Ensemble, directed by Ian Bassett, San Diego Mesa College Choir, directed by Dr. J. Craig Johnson & San Diego Mesa College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ian Tordella

 

Oct. 28, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119

Seaside Quartet: Classical Music with pianist Brenda Martin, violinist Philip Tyler, violinist/violist Päivikki Nykter, & cellist Cecilia Kim 

 

Nov. 4, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119

Decades jazz fusion, directed by Dr. N. Scott Robinson (drumset) with Ryan Campbell (electric guitar), Matt Wilson (acoustic & electric basses), Kenny Evangelista (piano/keyboards) & Tim Parker (alto/tenor, soprano saxophones/flute/bass clarinet/wind synth)

 

Nov. 17, 2026 - 7:00-8:00pm - Free Faculty & Student Jazz Fusion Recital - C-119 - Applied Music Jazz Students, directed by Dr. N. Scott Robinson & Dr. Thomas Babin

 

Nov. 18, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119

San Diego Mesa College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ian Tordella

 

Nov. 18, 2026 - 7:00-8:00pm - Student Jazz  Recital - C-119 - Robert Gomez: Solo Jazz Electric Guitar

 

Dec. 1, 2026 - 7:00-8:00pm - Free Applied Music Jazz Student Recital - C-119 - Applied Music Students, directed by Dr. N. Scott Robinson 

 

Dec. 2, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-116
San Diego Mesa College Guitar Ensemble, directed by Ian Bassett

 

Dec. 2, 2026 - 7:00-8:30pm in C-119 - Free - La Marca & Los Maniacos: A Night of Latin Jazz with Students, Faculty & Guests featuring SD Mesa Latin Jazz Ensemble La Marca & Special guests Los Maniacos & West African Drumming Ensemble Eh-Eh!, hosted by Dr. N. Scott Robinson

 

Dec. 9, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119

San Diego Mesa College Choir, directed by Dr. J. Craig Johnson

 

Dec. 10, 2026 - 7:00-8:30pm - Free Applied Music Classical Student Recital - C-119 - Applied Music Students, directed by Dr. N. Scott Robinson 

 

Dec. 15, 2026 - 7:00-8:00pm - Free Composition Recital on SD Mesa YouTube Channel - Composition Students, directed by Dr. Charles Washington

 

Dec. 16, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119         

Applied Music Classical & Jazz Students, directed by Dr. N. Scott Robinson

 

Dec. 17, 2026 - 7:00-8:00pm - Free Concert in C-116/C-119  

San Diego Mesa College Music Dept. Fall Concert with San Diego Mesa College Guitar Ensemble, directed by Ian Bassett, San Diego Mesa College Choir, directed by Dr. J. Craig Johnson & San Diego Mesa College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ian Tordella

 

Parking Info.

Events: Spring 2027

 

Feb. 11, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119 - Lesi Mei, Piano & Todd Rewoldt, Alto Saxophone - Classical Chamber Music

 

Feb. 18, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119 - Zo Shah - Jazz Trio

 

Feb. 25, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119 - San Diego Bluegrass Society

 

March 11, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119 - Phillip Dannels - Piano

 

March 14, 2026 - 11:00am-12:30pm - Applied Music Jazz Students at Jumpstart in Mesa Quad, directed by Dr. N. Scott Robinson (11:20-12:00 & 12:15-12:30)

 

March 18, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119 - KS Resmi, Vocal - South Indian Carnatic Vocal Music Trio with Nivik Bharadwaj, Violin & Vijay Sundar, Mridangam

 

March 23, 2026 - 7:00-8:00pm - Music Dept. Showcase Concert in C-116/C-119 - San Diego Mesa College Guitar Ensemble, directed by Ian Bassett, San Diego Mesa College Choir, directed by Dr. J. Craig Johnson & San Diego Mesa College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ian Tordella

 

March 25, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119 - Downbeat Big Band, Jazz

 

April 8, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119 - Matthew LeFebvre, Classical Marimba, Vibraphone & Multi-percussion with N. Scott Robinson (vibraphone)

 

April 14, 2026 - 1:30-2:30pm - Jazz in the Courtyard - between C1 & C2 buildings: San Diego Mesa College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ian Tordella

 

April 15, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119 - San Diego Clarinet Quintet - Classical Clarinet Quintet

 

April 22, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119 - Decades jazz fusion, directed by Dr. N. Scott Robinson (drumset) with Ryan Campbell (electric guitar), Matt Wilson (electric bass), Kenny Evangelista (keyboard) & Tim Parker (soprano/alto/tenor saxophones/flute/wind synth)

Chris Warren - electro-acoustic experimental improvisation

 

April 28, 2026 - 12:00-1:00pm - San Diego City College - Curran Plaza -1400 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101 - Introduction to Music Technology class & San Diego Mesa College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ian Tordella

 

April 29, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119 - Finest City Percussion Collective: Matthew LeFebvre, marimba 1, crotales, vocal / Zachary Elliott - marimba 2, tam-tam, bow, vocal / Chris Amaro, vibraphone 2, bass drum, tam-tam, bow, vocal /  Amanda Sealock, vibraphone 1, vocal / Lesi Mei, piano 1, pu ili sticks, vocal / Todd Newman, piano 2, vocal / Dr. N. Scott Robinson, wind machine, anvil, marching machine, frame drums

 

May 6, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119 - San Diego Mesa College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ian Tordella

 

May 12, 2026 - 7:00-8:00pm - Free Applied Music Student Jazz Recital in C-119 - Applied Music Students, directed by Dr. N. Scott Robinson (drums) & Dr. Thomas Babin (bass)

 

May 13, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-116 - San Diego Mesa College Choir, directed by Dr. J. Craig Johnson

 

May 13, 2026 - 7:00-8:30pm in C-119 - Free - La Marca & Los Maniacos: A Night of Latin Jazz with Students, Faculty & Guests featuring SD Mesa Latin Jazz Ensemble La Marca & Special guests Los Maniacos & West African Drumming Ensemble, hosted by Dr. N. Scott Robinson

 

May 20, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119 - San Diego Mesa College Guitar Ensemble, directed by Ian Bassett

 

May 21, 2026 - 7:00-8:30pm - Free Applied Music Student Classical Recital in C-119 - Applied Music Students, directed by Dr. N. Scott Robinson

 

May 22, 2026 - 5:00-6:00pm - Applied Music Jazz Students at Golden Scissors Fashion Show in Mesa Commons Quad, directed by Dr. N. Scott Robinson

 

May 26, 2026 - 7:00-8pm - Free Composition Recital on SD Mesa YouTube Channel - Composition Students, directed by Dr. Charles Washington

 

May 27, 2026 - 3:00-4:20pm - Free Weekly Recital Hour in C-119 - Applied Music Students, directed by Dr. N. Scott Robinson

 

May 28, 2026 - 7:00-8:00pm - Music Dept. Spring Concert in C-116/C-119 - San Diego Mesa College Guitar Ensemble, directed by Ian Bassett, San Diego Mesa College Choir, directed by Dr. J. Craig Johnson & San Diego Mesa College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ian Tordella

 

May 30, 2026 - 2:00pm - Graduation at Merrill Douglas Stadium - 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego CA 92111 (near Lot 3) - San Diego Mesa College Choir members perform national anthem, directed by Dr. J. Craig Johnson