The mission of the Santa Barbara Symphony is to enrich the lives of Santa Barbara residents by producing and presenting the highest quality musical experiences performed with artistic excellence, which is accessible to the entire community; and to inspire a passion for symphonic music in the next generation of audience members, musicians and funders.

Who We Are

Under the artistic leadership of charismatic Italo-Israeli conductor Nir Kabaretti, The Santa Barbara Symphony is consistently lauded for its unique ability to present brilliant concerts, engage the community, and deliver dynamic music education programs.  The organization prizes innovation and artistic excellence and is widely recognized as one of the region’s premier cultural institutions. With the only music education programs tied to a professional symphony in the region, The Symphony’s award-winning Music Education programs serve thousands of students in Santa Barbara County through yearly regular and special programming. 

For 73 years, Santa Barbarans driven by passion and dedication to sharing excellence with others have been the backbone of The Symphony’s vision. The long-term investment in artistic excellence has paid tremendous dividends. Increasing production values, attracting talented soloists, and retaining high-caliber musicians are crucial to inspiring audiences. 

It’s clear this community craves the highest quality concerts and that the power of music can move our children. The Santa Barbara Symphony is deepening its roots and expanding its impact as an integral part of the cultural life of Santa Barbara County. The Symphony endeavors to ensure that all community members know of its programs and the opportunities for all community members to participate in Symphony activities. The Symphony will continue to diversify its audience and work towards building a financial foundation that enables it to operate with a higher tolerance for artistic risk and an ever-greater focus on artistic excellence.

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