Contact Us
Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Youtube

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 gifted musicians, ages 12-18, from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties to perform works across the orchestral repertoire. This advanced ensemble instills the 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 many additional resources to our music education program, 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.
  • Opportunities to perform for Symphony audiences before 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, 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 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.
  • SAFETY NOTE: Student safety is our priority and we continue to closely monitor guidelines from the Public Health Department. Fall 2022 instruction will be conducted in-person and in accordance with current Santa Barbara County Public Health Department masking requirements as outlined HERE. The Santa Barbara Symphony strongly recommends vaccination for all students participating in the 2022-2023 Youth Ensembles season.
Santa Barbara Youth SymphonyWinter Concert 3/10/19 The Lobero Theatre

2022-2023 Audition Information

Registration is closed for the 2022-2023 season. Contact education@TheSymphony.org to be notified when applications open for 2023-2024!

Please check this page in April for information about auditions for our 2023-2024 season.

2022-2023 Audition Requirements

  • Level: Advanced. Open to woodwind, brass, percussion, and string instrumentalists.
    • Recommended Suzuki level for strings: book 5 and up
Start my Application
  • Scales and Arpeggios:
    • String players prepare a 3 octave major and minor scale and arpeggio of your choice AND a 3 octave chromatic scale.
    • Woodwind and brass players prepare a 2 or 3 (if possible) octave scale and arpeggio of your choice AND a two-octave chromatic scale.
  • Audition Excerpts: download and prepare audition excerpts according to your instrument from the links below. For excerpts in two sections, perform both sections as marked.
    • Violinists may choose the Violin 1 excerpts or the Violin 2 excerpts. Choice of excerpts does not guarantee section assignment.
    • Woodwinds must perform the listed excerpt on the instrument indicated. If you also play an auxiliary instrument (piccolo, english horn, bass clarinet, contrabassoon) you may choose to perform your solo piece on that instrument.
 
  • A Solo Piece which best demonstrates both technical and musical skills on the instrument (no accompanist needed).
    • Percussionists: please prepare a solo piece or excerpt on snare drum.
 
  • 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.
Santa Barbara Youth SymphonyWinter Concert 3/10/19 The Lobero Theatre

Youth Symphony
Downloadable Audition Repertoire

Flute

Oboe

Clarinet

Bassoon

French Horn

Trumpet

Trombone

Tuba

Percussion

Timpani

Harp

Violin 1

Violin 2

Viola

Cello

Double Bass

2022-2023 Tuition

All-inclusive tuition for the nine-month program $650

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.

Make a Tuition Payment

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! 

Donate Now
Santa Barbara Youth Symphony 10/29/17 Notre Dame School
The Granada Theatre

Santa Barbara
Bowl Foundation

Support The Santa Barbara Symphony

Your support matters now more than ever!
Please make a donation today.

Donate Now