Santa Barbara Youth Symphony

Santa Barbara Youth Symphony Daniel Kepl started the original Youth Symphony in 1963 while he was a student in high school. It is unknown how many public performances were given.

As part of the Santa Barbara Symphony's Music Education Programs, the Santa Barbara Youth Ensembles bring together young, gifted musicians from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties to perform diverse works across the orchestral repertoire. The orchestra was jointly sponsored by the Santa Barbara Recreation Department and the Santa Barbara Youth Theater. Kepl was assisted by Stefan Krayk, concertmast

er of the Santa Barbara Symphony, who acted as musical adviser. In 1968, the Youth Symphony was conducted by Terri Boyes and met weekly at Santa Barbara High School. By 1972, the group met every two weeks to rehearse under the direction of Richard Amshutz of the Santa Barbara Symphony, but stopped giving concerts. In the spring of 1974, a string orchestra put together by a local teacher, performed at the local Bach Festival. At that time, it was felt that enough interest and talent was available to form a performing group. With the encouragement of then Santa Barbara Symphony Music Director Ronald Ondrejka and General Manager Genevieve Fisher, this was done. The first public performance of the present Santa Barbara Youth Symphony occurred in January 1975 under the direction of Dr. Jack Ullom of the Santa Barbara Symphony. For the first few years, only two concerts per season were given. A pops concert was added in the early 1980s, which eventually included a performance of “Young Dancers with the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony” and gave both sets of performers an opportunity to collaborate with other performing artists. These continued until the early 1990s. At about the same time that the dance concerts ended, the pops concerts took a similar performing format to the Boston Pops, in that the audience sat at tables and ate pastries while the orchestra played. The concerts were then known as “Pops and Pastries.” In 1996, a Saturday evening performance was added to the traditional Sunday afternoon performance. A chamber orchestra was also started in 1996 and continued for three years. One performance was given each season. A free Children’s Concert prior to the pops concerts was added in 2002. Until 2011, the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony was graciously managed by two volunteers: Jan Gilbert and Nancy Renshaw. Today, the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony serves the region by providing musical enrichment to young people through the avenues of orchestral performance and instruction in our community’s schools. The Santa Barbara Youth Ensembles are orchestras of young musicians from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. These students, aged 12-20 from our regional schools, are challenged with serious pieces from a diverse orchestral repertoire. There are three components to the Santa Barbara Youth Ensemble Programs: Camerata and Philharmonia for less experienced players and Youth Symphony. Youth Symphony members are chosen by audition and no student is refused entry because of finances. Students rehearse weekly on Sundays during the school year. Three major concerts are given yearly. Each one features a Youth Symphony member, who by audition, performs as a concerto soloist. Most importantly, the Youth Symphony, through its performances and rehearsals, gives young musicians a sense of accomplishment through steady musical and team effort. They learn that others rely on them to be at rehearsals, know their music, and to support one another. The Youth Symphony orchestra is a microcosm of real life, and as such, it prepares these young people well for their future roles in society.

Santa Barbara Symphony’s Youth Symphony is warming up for our big mid season concert today 3/5/23 at 4pm at the Lobero T...
03/05/2023

Santa Barbara Symphony’s Youth Symphony is warming up for our big mid season concert today 3/5/23 at 4pm at the Lobero Theater. Please join us!

03/04/2023

Tuning up!

03/04/2023
Santa Barbara Symphony’s Camerata and Philharmonia are getting ready for their mid year concert. Will you be there? It ...
03/04/2023

Santa Barbara Symphony’s Camerata and Philharmonia are getting ready for their mid year concert. Will you be there? It starts today March 4 at 3pm at First Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara!

Free. inspiring. Fun.Conducted by Marisa McLeod, the Camerata Ensemble (beginner) and the Philharmonia Orchestra (interm...
03/04/2023

Free. inspiring. Fun.

Conducted by Marisa McLeod, the Camerata Ensemble (beginner) and the Philharmonia Orchestra (intermediate) perform at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 4 at the First Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara.

Daniel Gee conducts our Youth Symphony (advanced), 4 p.m. Sunday, March 5 at the Lobero Theatre

The Santa Barbara Symphony's free spring Youth Ensembles performances will be March 4-5, showcasing its talented young musicians, and spotlighting the

Mary Jane, Music Van Leader extraordinaire, live in the studio with Catherine and Gary on KLITE 101.7!
02/14/2023

Mary Jane, Music Van Leader extraordinaire, live in the studio with Catherine and Gary on KLITE 101.7!

Tune in and listen it’s been a great day!
02/14/2023

Tune in and listen it’s been a great day!

Don't forget to call into K-LITE 101.7 today to request a love song for your Valentine and donate to the Santa Barbara Symphony's Music Education Programs! We've already heard amazing stories of how music has changed lives. Share your stories and show our students how much their community believes in them by donating today. 805-879-5483 K-LITE 101.7

Mark your calendars! Support the Santa Barbara Symphony Youth Ensembles by heading over to Chipotle Mexican Grill on Sta...
01/26/2023

Mark your calendars! Support the Santa Barbara Symphony Youth Ensembles by heading over to Chipotle Mexican Grill on State Street on February 4th, between 5-9 PM, and Chipotle will donate 33% of the proceeds!

12/28/2022

Do you have your tickets yet? Seats are still available, it's going to be a night to remember!

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Santa Barbara Symphony!
11/22/2022

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Santa Barbara Symphony!

So proud to accept a grant award last Thursday from the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation on behalf of the Santa Barbara Sym...
11/16/2022

So proud to accept a grant award last Thursday from the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation on behalf of the Santa Barbara Symphony youth programs! It was especially nice to enjoy the million dollar view with friends from other local youth programs like the South Coast Youth Band and the SBUSD music programs. This money will help us to continue to deliver great programming to our local community - Thank you Santa Barbara Bowl!

Address

1330 State Street, Suite 102
Santa Barbara, CA
93101

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8am - 5:30pm
Friday 8am - 5:30pm

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+18058989386

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