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Youth Symphony

Santa Barbara Youth Symphony

For Advanced Players

Heralded as “…a prestigious group of young, talented musicians…” by Santa Barbara SEASONS magazine, the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony brings together accomplished student musicians from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties to perform works across the orchestral repertoire. Led by Dr. Daniel Gee, this advanced ensemble is the culminating step in the Santa Barbara Symphony’s multi-level Youth Ensembles program and instills the skills, discipline, and commitment that budding young professionals need for the next step in their careers, whether in music or another field.

The Santa Barbara Symphony is engaged in a strategic partnership with Westmont College for the purposes of supporting the Youth Ensembles.  The partnership brings additional resources and educational opportunities for our students, internship experiences for Westmont students, and perfectly complements our continuum of programs from elementary school, to college and even on to a professional orchestra career.

“The student experience in the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony is totally unique. Where else can my child learn and perform musical masterpieces in a symphony orchestra made up of their peers? The environment is so fun and supportive, rehearsals are the highlight of our week!”

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Program Highlights

  • Be part of a fun, inspiring community of dedicated young musicians collaborating together in weekly rehearsals.
  • Play varied and challenging music from the symphonic repertoire alongside talented soloists, vocal performers, and more.
  • Expand musical skills through nine months of coaching by a team of expert and supportive faculty including conductor Dr. Daniel Gee, and instrument-specific sectionals led by professional musicians.
  • Perform three public concerts each season at the historic Lobero Theatre.
  • Participate in The Symphony’s annual Youth Concerto Competition for a chance to perform as a featured soloist with the Youth Symphony.
  • Interact with and learn from the Santa Barbara Symphony’s extraordinary professional musicians and visiting guest artists in masterclasses, open rehearsals, meet & greets, sectionals, and side-by-sides.
  • Receive two free tickets to every concert in the Santa Barbara Symphony’s subscription series, and access to reduced-price tickets for additional family members.
  • Participate in collaborations and enrichment opportunities with community partners such as Music Academy of the West, State Street Ballet, CAMA, Westmont College, UCSB, SBCC, and local school music programs.
  • Volunteer as a student mentor to earn community service hours.
  • Receive an official Santa Barbara Symphony Youth Ensembles T-Shirt.

Participant Guidelines

  • Attend weekly Sunday rehearsals from 6-8:30pm. Students rehearse during the school year from September through May and must be on time for all rehearsals and performances.
  • Students are expected to further their musical education outside of rehearsals by:
    • Practicing their instruments and assigned material on a daily basis
    • Participating in their school music program
    • Attending at least 5 Santa Barbara Symphony concerts
    • Taking private lessons is highly recommended
  • Families are expected to:
    • Help students keep a regular practice schedule
    • Volunteer for and participate in social events and fundraising activities.
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Audition Information & Requirements

Click here for audition information

Upcoming Concerts

Click here for concert dates

Meet the Conductors

Learn about our conductors

2025-2026 Tuition

All-inclusive tuition for the nine-month program $760

As a non-profit, generous annual donations from Symphony supporters enable us to keep tuition fees to a minimum. Need-based tuition assistance, payment plans, and sibling discounts are available and admitted musicians will not be turned away due to finances. If tuition fees pose a challenge, please reach out to us at [email protected] or 805-898-1417.

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Would you like to join The Symphony’s family of donors and support this program? Annual donations at any level have a big impact. They can fund scholarships, help pay our faculty, provide instruments and more!

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