Community

The Santa Barbara Symphony has an extensive commitment to community engagement. The Symphony has been awarded many honors for the quality programs it offers the public, including national awards presented to the Santa Barbara Symphony League by the League of American Orchestras.

Community Engagement Passes

Community Engagement passes are distributed to various non-profit organizations in Santa Barbara to enable seniors, low-income and underprivileged individuals to attend Symphony concerts. This program currently serves 20 groups:

Alta Vista Foundation
Braille Institute
Child Welfare Services
Community Action Commission
Domestic Violence Solutions
Edgerly Apartments-Hotel
El Patio Gardens
Friendship Manor
Garden Court
Hillside House
Laguna Cottages for Seniors
Mental Health Association of Santa Barbara
City of Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation
Peppers Estate
Pilgrim Terrace
Santa Barbara Housing Authority
St. Vincents Garden
Villa Caridad
Villa Majella of Santa Barbara
Villa Santa Barbara

Adult Music Education

In addition to our Pre-Concert Talks “Music Behind the Music,” music scholar Ramón Araiza has been engaged to give his free talks outside of Symphony concerts and directly to the community, especially catering to senior citizens who may not have the financial means or accessibility to regularly attend concerts. These talks are free and open to the public.

Click here to view Ramon’s 2011-2012 community talk schedule.

Musical Mentors

By coordinating with our Symphony soloists and educators around the Santa Barbara and Goleta areas, we are able to bring these professionals into classrooms and community groups, bringing music to students ages 6 to 18.

More Information

If you would like to sign-up your organization for Community Engagement passes, or to request more information, please contact

Amy Bassett
Director of Education & Outreach
(805) 898-8785
amy@thesymphony.org