Virtual event now available for students who play non-traditional instruments
January 17, 2021
| 11:27 a.m.

Concert competition winners will be invited to perform their pieces with the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony. (Courtesy photo)
The Santa Barbara Symphony Annual Santa Barbara Youth Symphony Concert Competition – a longstanding tradition that has enabled Santa Barbara County’s finest young musicians to perform as soloists with the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony – is now open.
For the first time this event will be virtual, and this year’s competition, normally only open to members of the symphony programs, is now open to any student 18 and under living in Santa Barbara County who is studying an instrument other than a traditional orchestral instrument.
“In these uncertain times, our music programs are more important than ever as they can promote the social and emotional well-being of students and promote community,” said Kristine Pacheco-Bernt, Education Director for Santa Claus Barbara Symphony.
“While this year’s concert competition will look a little different, we are very excited to continue this prestigious opportunity for our students to show their talent,” she said.
The concert competition is open to students currently enrolled in the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony’s 2020-21 season, as well as all students 18 and under living in Santa Barbara County who are studying an instrument outside of the typical orchestral field. For example, students studying piano, classical guitar or baroque instruments are invited to the competition.
To participate, students are asked to submit a pre-recorded foreplay video. Nir Kabaretti, symphony musician and artistic director, will head the jury alongside Yvette Devereaux, conductor of the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, and musicians of the symphony.
The winners are invited to perform their piece with the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony in an upcoming concert. Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, the concert details have yet to be finalized.
“While we serve the entire community with different programs, we take great pride in following and developing our young musicians who show exceptional talent,” said Kabaretti. “Auditioning and competition are an essential skill in performing for musicians at all levels, and we are delighted that these students have this opportunity, especially in the early stages of their musical journey.
“I am personally very happy to hear from the students of the Youth Symphony, whom I normally only hear as part of the ensemble.”
Interested students must complete an online application available at the symphony website. The application deadline is February 7th; The deadline for submitting performance videos (with digitized points) ends on March 14th at 11:59 p.m. Late applications will not be considered.
There is a US $ 40 registration fee for students who are not in the Youth Symphony. Write a check to The Santa Barbara Symphony and mail it to 1330 State St., Ste. 102, Santa Barbara CA 93101, Attention: SBYS Concerto Competition.
For more information, see thesymphony.org.