Symphony Explorers
Symphony Explorers
Introducing the Santa Barbara Symphony's New Symphony Explorers Program!
Bring the excitement of live music to your students with the Symphony Explorers program! Symphony Explorers sends a chamber ensemble of professional Santa Barbara Symphony musicians to your school for an assembly performance, offered FREE to local schools thanks to generous Symphony donors. This inaugural season features the Santa Barbara Symphony String Quartet, led by Concertmaster Jessica Guideri.
Designed for grades 4–8 (with younger students welcome as space allows), this 45-minute interactive performance travels through musical styles from classical favorites and movie themes to contemporary and folk music. Students discover the unique sound and role of each instrument in the ensemble, explore musical terms and concepts, and experience professional artistry up close. Students also have the opportunity to ask the musicians questions and participate in fun musical challenges for a chance to win prizes.
More than a performance, Symphony Explorers connects classroom learning to live music, reinforces musical concepts, and sparks lasting inspiration by introducing students to the musicians behind the music.
2026/2027 Registration and Scheduling
Symphony Explorers is open to elementary, middle, and junior high schools in the Santa Barbara area (Carpinteria to Goleta). Space is limited, and registration is currently open by invitation only.
If you would like your school to be considered for future opportunities with the Symphony Explorers program, or for questions about availability and registration, contact Emily Gilman, Education & Community Engagement Coordinator, at [email protected].
To host Symphony Explorers, your school will need:
- At least 50 students who can attend the entire 45-minute performance. The ideal audience size is 100-200 students.
- Performance Space: A multipurpose room (MPR), auditorium, or other space large enough for all students and the quartet.
- Room Access: Access to the performance space for 1.5 hours total. This includes 30 minutes before the performance for setup and warm-up, the 45-minute performance, and 15 minutes for cleanup.
- Equipment: Four armless chairs, five music stands, and a microphone for speaking.
You can make a difference
Would you like to join The Symphony’s 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!
