The Santa Barbara Symphony continues its live broadcast series Sundays with the Symphony, 3:30 p.m. Aug. 23, with an episode that shines a spotlight on students of all levels from the symphony’s Music Education Center programs, including alumni.
The program is curated and hosted by the symphony’s music and artistic director Nir Kabaretti, along with its new director of music education Kristine Pacheco.
“As a key pillar of the symphony’s mission, music education is perhaps more important now than ever,” said Kabaretti. “It has been incredible to watch how our young musicians have adjusted to the pandemic through creative virtual activity.
“This demonstrates to us just how critical music is, and its ability to keep our community connected against all odds.”
Each year, the Santa Barbara Symphony provides children in Santa Barbara County with equal-access music education through the Music Education Center: a continuum of connected programs designed to support and engage students on their musical journey by fostering collaboration, confidence and community, while empowering them to be at their best through music.
Viewers will hear from all the symphony’s Music Education Center performing ensembles, including Camerata Ensemble (beginner), Philharmonia Orchestra (intermediate), and Youth Symphony (advanced). They will also check in with some of their graduate students who are continuing their musical path into the professional world.
The episode will also feature an exclusive clip from Lorenzo DeStefano’s documentary Hearing is Believing, about a collaborative project between the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony and local composer Rachel Flowers, whose inspiring story is a testimony to how the human spirit can overcome any obstacle.
“We are proud to support students at all ages and levels of musical development,” said Pacheco-Bernt. “Despite not being together in person, it is an absolute joy to see students continue to grow and thrive through our continuum of music education programs.”
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, all programming for the Santa Barbara Symphony’s Music Education Center has adapted to an online environment.
Starting in the spring, the symphony’s teaching artists led weekly virtual sectionals with students from all of its ensembles. These online classes offered students the chance to learn new skills, perform in front of others for feedback, and a way to connect with each other.
Other special study projects are in the works, including the weekly music club Symphonic Chats, curated by Youth Symphony conductor Andy Radford.
Through partnerships with school districts, community organizations, and supported by individual annual donors, and local, regional and national funders, the Music Education Center is moving ahead and looking toward next season.
Applications to audition for the 2020-21 Youth Ensembles are now open, see the Symphony’s website for more details, thesymphony.org.
Sundays with the Symphony can be accessed via the symphony website, https://www.thesymphony.org/livestream.
For more information on the Santa Barbara Symphony and its programs, visit thesymphony.org.