In a matter of 2 days, executive director Kevin Marvin and the Santa Barbara Symphony, along with the SB Center for the Performing Arts, put together “A Free Community Benefit Embracing the Healing Power of Music.” In the spirit of its founder Michael Towbes, Montecito Bank and Trust (and a number of other SB philanthropists) backed it because as CEO Janet Garufis quoted him: “It’s the right thing to do!” In that vein, there was a celebratory feeling at the concert that accompanied and leavened the grief and pain, with uplifting Spanish themed music provided by maestro Nir Kabaretti, guitarist/artist-in-residence Pablo Sainz Villegas and 17 SB Symphony musicians. Near the end, the audience joined in to sing the Spanish folk song “De Colores” as the musicians played a world premiere arrangement for guitar & orchestra by LA composer Dan Redfeldt and this was followed by a rousing and successful call for donations from local notable Andrew Firestone. The whole affair was a positive and joyful response to a tragedy of proportions this community has never before seen. #805strong http://unitedwaysb.org/thomas-fire-flood-how-help
