The Santa Barbara Symphony’s programs for young musicians have grown over the years to the point where there are impressive numbers of participants who have matured to the point of doing some impressive music making. The younger kids in the Junior Ensembles program, ranging in age from 9 to 14, not only get an opportunity for education in numerous schools in the Santa Barbara area, but they and the older students in the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony (12 to 18) give concerts during the year. The winter concerts this year (March 9 & 10) showcased just how far these young musicians have come and featured some really fine music making. The Junior Ensembles filled El Montecito 1st Presbyterian Church with classical pieces well suited to the various ensembles, played surprisingly well and with real gusto. The Youth Symphony’s Lobero concert featured an impressively large and lush sound along with precision ensemble work for the orchestral pieces, and for an excerpt from Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” the extremely accomplished soloing of 15 year old Andrew Choi. This outfit, under the direction of the Symphony’s principal bassoonist Andy Radford, has continued to improve a lot, and makes for a satisfyingly rewarding orchestral listening experience. Bravo to all involved!
