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Youth Symphony

Santa Barbara Youth Symphony

For Advanced Players

Heralded as “…a prestigious group of young, talented musicians…” by Santa Barbara SEASONS magazine, the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony brings together accomplished student musicians from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties to perform works across the orchestral repertoire. Led by Dr. Daniel Gee, this advanced ensemble is the culminating step in the Santa Barbara Symphony’s multi-level Youth Ensembles program and instills the skills, discipline, and commitment that budding young professionals need for the next step in their careers, whether in music or another field.

The Santa Barbara Symphony is engaged in a strategic partnership with Westmont College for the purposes of supporting the Youth Ensembles.  The partnership brings additional resources and educational opportunities for our students, internship experiences for Westmont students, and perfectly complements our continuum of programs from elementary school, to college and even on to a professional orchestra career.

“The student experience in the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony is totally unique. Where else can my child learn and perform musical masterpieces in a symphony orchestra made up of their peers? The environment is so fun and supportive, rehearsals are the highlight of our week!”

Santa Barbara Youth Symphony 10/29/17 Notre Dame School
Santa Barbara Youth Symphony 10/29/17 Notre Dame School

Program Highlights

  • Nine months of weekly rehearsals led by conductor Dr. Daniel Gee and instrument-specific sectionals led by local professional musicians.
  • Three public performances at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara.
  • Opportunity to participate in our annual Concerto Competition, with winners performing as featured soloists in Youth Symphony concerts.
  • Experience playing with vocal performers as well as with orchestral performers.
  • 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, SBCC, and Westmont College.
  • Santa Barbara Symphony Youth Ensembles T-Shirt

Participant Guidelines

  • Attend weekly Sunday rehearsals from 6-8:30pm. 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.
Santa Barbara Youth SymphonyWinter Concert 3/10/19 The Lobero Theatre

2024-2025 Audition Information & Requirements

Learn more here

2024-2025 Tuition

All-inclusive tuition for the nine-month program $725

As a non-profit, generous annual donations from Symphony supporters enable us to keep tuition fees to a minimum. Need-based tuition assistance, payment plans, and sibling discounts are available and admitted musicians will not be turned away due to finances. If tuition fees pose a challenge, please reach out to the Education Programs Manager at 805-898-1417.

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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! 

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Santa Barbara Youth Symphony 10/29/17 Notre Dame School
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