Welcome to the

Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra Association’s

Music Education and Community Engagement Programs

Connecting musicians to kids, kids to music,

and music to the community.

ConnectionsAt the Santa Barbara Symphony Music Education program we understand the importance of teaching children the connections between themselves, great music and the world around them. Our community programs are designed to excite and entice them into continuing to explore music by making it available to them in their environments, on their terms. When the kids are ready, we’re ready.

Music VanThe Music Van is the first opportunity the Symphony gives to kids in its music

education programs. Third graders from around the county have the opportunity to try out all the instruments of the orchestra. With this interactive experience, over 2,200 local kids per year get to arrive home from school and announce “I tried a harp today!”

Concerts for Young PeopleStudents in grades 4-6 are able to build upon their Music Van experience by moving from trying the instrument to being able to hear a full orchestra. Concerts for Young People designs a classroom and teacher friendly curriculum that inspires students to make connections between music and the world around them.

Junior StringsOnce students have “caught the musical bug” and develop their musical skills in the String Workshop, they can then choose to join our Junior Strings Ensemble. Here, kids learn to hone their musical skills and develop their self esteem through the performance of three public concerts.

String Workshop4th, 5th and 6th graders who are curious about learning a string instrument through the Music Van and Concerts for Young People can jump at the opportunities in our String Workshop. In this

program our newest and youngestmusicians receive free weekly lessons,

taught in small groups. The Symphony is proud to provide all the instruments, materials and inspired instruction necessary for the lessons.

Youth SymphonyFrom the Junior Strings, young musicians who want to continue developing their artistic talents can do so in the Youth Symphony. This program brings together 65-70 young musicians ages 12 – 18,

who come from all over Santa Barbaracounty, to rehearse each week andperform standard orchestral repertoire,all in preparation for the performance ofthree great concerts.

Through this experience, students growinto a community of musicians, family and

friends, setting the stage for a lifetime of confidence and accomplishment.

Musical MentorsThroughout the Symphony season we are excited to be able to send guest artists into school and community organizations, giving groups the opportunity to have an insiders view of what it’s like to be a classical musician. The artists share their experiences for one hour and the students always finish with the most fascinating questions.

Please Support Symphony Education ProgramsJoin us in connecting musicians to kids and kids to music. Your donation of time, equipment and funding for these important programs is crucial for their continued success. For more information about how to help, please contact:

Amy BassettDirector of Education and Community EngagementSanta Barbara Symphony Orchestra Association

1330 State Street, Suite 102 • Santa Barbara, CA 93101(805) 898-8785 • Amy@thesymphony.org

Symphony Education Program Facts:• Each year the Santa Barbara Symphony Education Program reaches

an estimated 4,500 students.

• The 2011-12 season of Concerts for Young People reached 35 schools and 2,400 students.

• During the 2011-12 season, String Workshop served 140 students in all nine of the Goleta Union School District Elementary Schools.

• Within our Music Education Suite we track student progress between programs to assure effectiveness and continuity.

For more information about how you can help, please contact:

Amy BassettDirector of Education and Community Engagement

Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra Association1330 State Street, Suite 102 • Santa Barbara, CA 93101

(805) 898-8785 • Amy@thesymphony.org