Philharmonia Orchestra
Philharmonia Orchestra
The Intermediate Step
The intermediate step in the Music Education program’s continuum of performing ensembles, the Philharmonia Orchestra engages string, wind, brass, and percussion students in performing as a full orchestra under the baton of Marisa McLeod. To provide targeted training and experience with other repertoire, Philharmonia students also rehearse as a chamber strings group with Marisa McLeod and a symphonic wind band with Karen Dutton. Students in the Philharmonia Orchestra have two or more years of study on a string, wind, brass, or percussion instrument.
Program Highlights
- Nine months of weekly rehearsals led by conductor Marisa McLeod and instrument-specific sectionals led by local professional musicians.
- Three public performances at venues throughout Santa Barbara.
- Students receive two free tickets to every regular season Santa Barbara Symphony concert, and access to reduced priced tickets for additional family members.
- Invitations to talks, meet & greets, open rehearsals, and masterclasses with the extraordinary professional musicians of The Symphony and visiting guest artists.
- Invitations to participate in enrichment opportunities with community partners such as Santa Barbara Unified School District music programs, Santa Barbara Strings, Music Academy of the West, UCSB and Westmont College.
- Santa Barbara Symphony Youth Ensembles T-Shirt
Participant Guidelines
- Attend weekly Sunday rehearsals from 3-5pm. Students rehearse during the school year from September through May and must be on time for all rehearsals and performances.
- Students are expected to further their musical education outside of rehearsals by:
- Practicing their instruments and assigned material on a daily basis
- Participating in their school music program
- Attending at least 5 Santa Barbara Symphony concerts
- Taking private lessons is highly recommended
- Families are expected to:
- Help students keep a regular practice schedule
- Volunteer for and participate in social events and fundraising activities.
2023-2024 Audition Information
Apply now and join the Santa Barbara Symphony’s Youth Ensembles for the 2023-24 season!
As the only youth orchestra program in the region connected to a professional symphony and a college, the Symphony’s multi-level Youth Ensembles present a unique learning opportunity for young musicians to develop their skills and connect with music and each other. Students playing oboe, bassoon, brass, or low strings are particularly encouraged to apply — but ALL orchestral instrumentalists in the 3rd to 12th grades are invited to audition!
SAVE THE DATE
- May 29: priority deadline for applications. Late applications will be accepted as audition scheduling and space in the ensembles allows.
- June 10-11: in-person auditions. All new and returning students are required to audition. If you are unable to make the audition date, please contact us for assistance.
START PRACTICING
Find your audition requirements here — your teacher can help you prepare!
- Camerata Ensemble
- Philharmonia Orchestra (see below)
- Youth Symphony
If you have any questions, please contact us at Education@TheSymphony.org or 805-898-1417.
2023-2024 Audition Requirements
- Level: Intermediate. Students in the Philharmonia Orchestra have two or more years of study on a string, wind, brass, or percussion instrument.
- Recommended Suzuki level for strings: book 3-5
- Scales and Arpeggios:
- Strings: download repertoire according to your instrument and prepare all listed scales and arpeggios. All scales should be played with two notes slurred.
- Woodwinds and brass: prepare a 2 octave major scale and arpeggio of your choice in any key up to four flats and four sharps AND a two-octave chromatic scale if possible.
- Mallet percussion: play two scales and arpeggios of your choice on the glockenspiel.
- Audition Excerpts: download and prepare audition excerpts according to your instrument.
- A Solo Piece: choose and prepare a piece which best demonstrates both technical and musical skills on the instrument (no accompanist needed).
- Percussionists: please prepare a solo piece or excerpt on either snare drum or glockenspiel.
- Sight-reading: to demonstrate your ability to read and learn new music, you will be given a short passage to sight-read in the audition.
Philharmonia
Downloadable Audition Repertoire
2022-2023 Tuition
All-inclusive tuition for the nine-month program $550
As a non-profit, generous annual donations from Symphony supporters enable us to keep tuition fees to a minimum. Payment plans and need-based scholarships are available. Admitted musicians will not be turned away due to finances. If tuition is a challenge, please reach out to the Education Programs Manager at 805-898-1417.
Support this program!
Would you like to join our family of donors and support this program? Annual donations at any level have a big impact. They can fund scholarships, help pay our faculty, provide instruments and more!
