Santa Barbara Strings will present its Winter Concert, 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Music Academy of the West.

Young Santa Barbara Strings players keep one eye on their teacher as they practice onstage for their performances. (Courtesy photo)
Young Santa Barbara Strings players practice onstage for their performances. (Courtesy photo)

More than 70 young string players from across Santa Barbara County have been rehearsing for the past four months to bring the audience a special experience.

The organization is celebrating its 16th season with a cornucopia of musical offerings, ranging from works by Mozart, Corelli, and Holst to holiday favorites from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” and Vince Guaraldi’s “Charlie Brown Christmas.”

The Winter Concert will feature three-tiered string orchestras under the baton of artistic director Mary Beth Woodruff in the Music Academy of the West’s acoustically impressive Hahn Hall.

In addition, there will be a surprise appearance by two characters from a blockbuster movie (fans will recognize that the “force” is strong with John Williams). Tickets are $30 for adults and admission is free for children.  
 
Santa Barbara Strings is a nonprofit providing comprehensive training for musicians ages 4-19 years in three progressive levels of string orchestras and chamber ensembles.

Recent Santa Barbara Strings’ graduates are attending the Juilliard School of Music and the Colburn School of Music.

Open to all students, Santa Barbara Strings aims to inspire lifelong understanding and appreciation of classical music of all eras.

For more information on the Winter Concert and the Santa Barbara Strings, visit www.santabarbarastrings.org