Education Programs
Overview
The Santa Barbara Symphony Music Education Programs
Connecting musicians to kids, kids to music, and music to the community
The Santa Barbara Symphony’s music education programs provide grade school students in Santa Barbara County with high quality, inclusive, hands-on music education, and are the only in the region tied to a professional symphony orchestra. As part of The Symphony’s mission to bring joy, engagement, and connection to the community through symphonic music, The Symphony — under the artistic oversight of Music & Artistic Director, Nir Kabaretti — serves thousands of students every year through:
- The Music Van program mobile music classroom
- Three levels of the Youth Ensembles program: Camerata Ensemble, Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony
- The annual Youth Concerto Competition
- Educational open rehearsal experiences with The Symphony, and other artist residency activities including masterclasses and meet-and-greets.
With the support of Symphony donors, all programs are accessible, offering needs-based tuition and private lesson scholarships, free instrument loans, and subsidized concert tickets. Fostering collaboration, confidence, and community, The Symphony’s programs are designed to support and inspire students along their musical journey and empower them to do and be their best.
“The student experience through the Santa Barbara Symphony’s education programs is unmatched in the region. My student is proud to be a part of this community and has learned a lot.”
Youth Ensembles
As the only youth orchestra program in the region connected to a professional symphony and a college, the Santa Barbara Symphony’s multi-level Youth Ensembles program presents a unique learning opportunity for young musicians to develop their skills and connect with music and each other.
Since 1965 the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony (SBYS) and associated ensembles have provided an essential outlet for local young musicians to learn orchestral skills and repertoire. The original SBYS was founded in 1965 through the efforts of an enterprising high school student, and began its association with the Santa Barbara Symphony in 1968 through what started as a sponsorship. In 1974 SBYS became a standalone non-profit organization with a board of directors and strong parental involvement. The Symphony’s longstanding association with SBYS evolved and in 2008 the Youth Symphony and Junior Strings merged to formally become a part of the Symphony’s educational offerings. Over time, the program expanded and the Santa Barbara Symphony Youth Ensembles now include three full orchestras: the Camerata Ensemble, the Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Youth Symphony.
2024-25 MID-YEAR AUDITIONS
APPLY BY DEC 1 to join the Santa Barbara Symphony’s Youth Ensembles for the remainder of the 2024/25 season!
Beginner ensemble for string, woodwind, brass, and percussion students.
Intermediate ensemble for string, woodwind, brass, and percussion students.
Advanced orchestra serving string, woodwind, brass, and percussion students.
Elementary-Level Programs
A mobile music classroom filled with instruments that tours 3rd grade classes throughout Santa Barbara county.
Enrichment Programs
Conversations with Kabaretti
Engaging and fascinating talks on Sundays before the concert from 2-2:30pm. Conversations are led by the Maestro and open to all ticket holders.
Our Ambitions and Values
Through partnerships with school districts, community organizations, and supported by generous individual annual donors, and local, regional and national funders, the Santa Barbara Symphony’s Music Education programs are guided by these values…
- Excellence: we provide weekly instruction during the school year led by local professional Teaching Artists. Students, teachers, and staff are held to the highest standards of musical excellence.
- Equitable Access: we pride ourselves on providing music education to all children in Santa Barbara county. No student is turned away due to finances or access to an instrument.
- Support: our team works together to create plans that encourage students to continually strive for the next level of skills.
Support these programs!
Would you like to join our family of donors to support these programs? Annual donations at any level have a big impact. They can fund scholarships, help pay our faculty, provide instruments and more!
