Season Finale Concert Features All Three Youth Ensembles and Youth Symphony Alumnus Jeffrey Hough Pattison on Violin
Application Deadline for 2026/27 Youth Ensembles May 26, 2026
In vibrant celebration of the remarkable dedication and musical development of student musicians in grades 2 through 12, the Santa Barbara Symphony Youth Ensembles will present their FREE Spring Finale Concert on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 4:00 PM at the Lobero Theatre, featuring musicians from the Camerata Ensemble (beginner), Philharmonia Orchestra (intermediate), and Santa Barbara Youth Symphony (advanced).
Led by The Symphony’s Youth Ensembles Music Directors, Dr. Daniel Gee and Marisa McLeod, the program spans a wide variety of musical styles and traditions, from spirited folk-inspired works and cinematic favorites to beloved classical masterworks.
Highlights include Aaron Copland’s energetic “Hoe-Down” from Rodeo, Juan Pablo Contreras’s vibrant La Silla, selections from Leroy Anderson’s Irish Suite, and a combined Philharmonia Orchestra and Youth Symphony performance of Dvořák’s A New World Festival. The concert will also feature Youth Symphony alumnus and 2025 Santa Barbara Symphony Youth Concerto Competition winner Jeffrey Hough Pattison, performing the first movement of Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor.
“One of the great rewards of music education is witnessing young musicians gradually discover not only their artistic voice, but also their confidence, discipline, and sense of connection to something larger than themselves,” said Dr. Gee. “This concert reflects years of dedication and growth, and it is deeply meaningful to share that journey with our community. Audiences will experience the full arc of our Ensembles program, from students taking their earliest steps in ensemble playing to advanced young artists preparing for the next chapter of their musical lives.”
Featured soloist and Youth Symphony alumnus Jeffrey Hough Pattison began playing violin at age six and joined the Symphony’s Youth Ensembles program during high school. Now an undergraduate violin performance major at the University of Redlands Conservatory of Music, Pattison studies with Samuel Fischer and is a two-time recipient of the Santa Barbara Music Club Scholarship.
“These ensembles represent far more than musical training,” said Symphony President and CEO Kathryn R Martin. “The Symphony’s programs provide young people with a place to belong, collaborate, make friends, and challenge themselves creatively while developing skills that will serve them throughout their lives. A big thank you goes to the families, educators, and Symphony supporters who make their journeys possible. The community is invited to attend this free concert and cheer on these young musicians! ”
In addition to the Youth Ensembles Spring Concert, the community is invited to experience the creative process up close in a masterclass with Santa Barbara Symphony Principal Flute Amy Tatum on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. This community event is free and open to the public, and features performances by three talented Youth Symphony musicians.
A highly sought-after performer and educator, Tatum’s playing can be heard on hundreds of film, television, video game, and popular music soundtracks, including Avatar: The Way of Water, League of Legends, Assassin’s Creed, Halo Wars 2, and the Grammy-nominated video game score Journey. She regularly performs with leading Southern California orchestras and is a passionate advocate for accessible arts education.
The Santa Barbara Symphony Youth Ensembles program provides high-quality orchestral training and performance opportunities for young musicians, nurturing the next generation of artists and music-lovers while strengthening the region’s vibrant cultural community. With the support from community funders and donors, need-based scholarships and instrument loans ensure students can participate without financial barriers.
The Santa Barbara Symphony Youth Ensembles program is currently accepting applications for all three levels. The priority deadline is May 26, 2026, and auditions will be held in June. One year of experience playing an instrument and the ability to read music are required. For more information, go to https://thesymphony.org/education/youth-ensembles-audition-information/.
About The Santa Barbara Symphony Youth Ensembles Program
More than 100 student musicians in grades 2nd through 12th learn to collaborate, lead, and progress on their instruments through The Symphony’s multi-level Youth Ensembles program, which provides young musicians with unique opportunities to develop their skills and connect with music and each other in a welcoming and supportive environment. Students receive weekly rehearsals and perform three public concerts each year. As part of their curriculum, students also attend performances by The Santa Barbara Symphony.
The Symphony’s Camerata Ensemble, led by conductor Marisa McLeod, is composed of musicians who are early in their musical training. It introduces students to the basics of ensemble playing, following a conductor, and listening across a musical group while playing.
The Philharmonia Orchestra, also led by conductor Marisa McLeod, is the second of three levels in the Symphony’s Youth Ensembles’ hierarchy and is designed to hone the technical skills and student musicianship required for the advanced challenges of the Youth Symphony.
The Santa Barbara Youth Symphony brings together gifted young musicians from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties to perform works across the orchestral repertoire. Directed by conductor Dr. Daniel Gee, this advanced ensemble is the culminating step in the Santa Barbara Symphony’s Youth Ensembles program. It instills the discipline and commitment that budding young professionals need for the next step in their careers, whether in music or another field.
