Music is the universal language of love. So, it’s befitting that local Santa Barbara radio station K-LITE 101.7 Morning Show hosts Gary Fruin and Catherine Remak have selected The Santa Barbara Symphony’s Music Education programs to benefit from their annual 12-hour Valentine’s Day Radiothon. 

Funds raised from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Valentine’s Day on K-LITE 101.7 will support the symphony’s Music Van and the Youth Ensembles.

The community is invited to call in and make live, love-song requests for their favorite Valentine while pledging support for children served by the Music Van and Youth Ensembles scholarship programs.

The Music Van program provides third-grade students at some 50 schools across the county a hands-on experience with orchestral instruments through in-person visits to classrooms.

Many children served by the program would not have access to musical instruments without a visit from the Music Van, a program made possible only through donor support.  

The Youth Ensembles, the only music education program tied to a professional symphony orchestra in the region, provides third-12th graders with an orchestral ensemble experience.

With enrollment at about 100 students, there is a demand for donor-supported, needs-based scholarships to ensure that the curriculum and ensemble experience are accessible to all. Scholarships cover both ensemble fees and private lessons for students. 

Throughout the radiothon, Gary and Catherine will be interviewing students, parents, teachers, volunteers, and other supporters about the impact created by the symphony’s education programs.

Minimum donation for a Valentine’s Day song request is $25; the request line is 805-879-5483.

For more about the Santa Barbara Symphony, visit TheSymphony.org.