The Santa Barbara Symphony joined forces with the Santa Barbara Unified School District in a program called BRAVO!, and brought together nearly 200 young musicians to make a joyful noise at the Page Youth Center’s cavernous gymnasium. Under the direction of the Symphony’s principal bassoonist and music educator Marisa McCleod, respective conductors of the SB Youth and Junior Symphonies, this was a giant affirmation of the prospects for the survival of classical music in the American Riviera. During rehearsal there was a good deal of mentoring that day by some professional musicians as well as by older students to younger ones, befitting the ongoing nature of collaboration this music education project embodies. The audience of parents, grandparents and siblings were clearly spellbound by the sights and sounds of members of their families giving it their all for the sake of art.
Santa Barbara Youth Symphony and SB Unified School District music students rehearsing at the Page Youth Center 4/29/17
Santa Barbara Youth Symphony and SB Unified School District music students rehearsing at the Page Youth Center 4/29/17
Budding young conductor at the Page Youth Center 4/29/17
Santa Barbara Youth Symphony and SB Unified School District music students preparing for a concert at the Page Youth Center 4/29/17
Young violinist tries out the trombone at the Page Youth Center BRAVO! concert 4/29/17
Conductor Andy Radford gives tips to SB Youth Symphony musicians 4/29/17 Page Youth Center
Santa Barbara Youth Symphony and SB Unified School District music students preparing for a concert at the Page Youth Center 4/29/17
Happy parents record the BRAVO! concert at Page Youth Center 4/29/17
Marisa McCleod conducting young musicians for the BRAVO! concert at the Page Youth Center 4/29/17
She just had to dance to that music – BRAVO! concert 4/29/17 The Page Youth Center
Young musicians bask in the applause after the BRAVO! concert at the Page Youth Center 4/29/17