(February 3, 2022) Santa Barbara, CA – The Santa Barbara Symphony is pleased to announce the annual Santa Barbara Youth Symphony Concerto Competition, a longstanding tradition of providing Santa Barbara County’s finest young musicians the opportunity to be featured as a soloist with the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony.
The Concerto Competition is open to students currently enrolled in the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony as well as any student up to age 18 residing in Santa Barbara County studying an instrument outside of the typical orchestral realm, including piano, classical guitar, or Baroque instruments. With an aim to offer both a competitive and supportive process, Symphony Music & Artistic Director Nir Kabaretti is chairing a jury of professional musicians and educators: Santa Barbara Youth Symphony Conductor Dr. Yvette Devereaux, a member of the Westmont College Music Department faculty and a Santa Barbara Symphony principal musician.
“Creating opportunities for young musicians is an important way we nurture and develop the leaders and audiences of the future,” shared Nick Fuentes, Ed.D, and Vice President of Community Education & Enrichment for the Santa Barbara Symphony. “Familiarity with auditions and competition is an essential skill for performing musicians on all levels, and we’re happy to provide local students with this opportunity, especially during the early stages of their musical journey.”
Students interested in applying must complete an online application available on the Symphony’s website here. To participate, students are asked to submit a pre-recorded audition video. The deadline for submitting application forms is February 6, late applications will not be considered. An application fee of $50 applies for students not enrolled in the Youth Symphony. Visit www.TheSymphony.org for full details.
Save the dates: The public is invited to attend the Santa Barbara Symphony’s upcoming youth ensemble performances! The Camerata Ensemble and Philharmonia Orchestra will perform a spring concert on February 26 at 3 pm and the La Colina Junior High School and the Youth Symphony will perform on February 27 at 4 pm at the Lobero Theatre. More information at www.TheSymphony.org.
About the Santa Barbara Symphony’s Music Education Programs
Each year, the Santa Barbara Symphony provides children in Santa Barbara County with high quality, inclusive and accessible music education through its Music Education programs: a continuum of connected programs designed to support and engage students every step along their musical journey; fostering collaboration, confidence and community, empowering students to be at their best through music.
The Symphony’s range of Music Education programs includes the Music Van mobile music classroom, Concerts for Young People student matinee musical experience, the BRAVO! after-school band and music instruction classes, and three Youth Ensembles from beginner to expert: Camerata Ensemble, Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony.
