The Santa Barbara Symphony: Celebrating Fifty Years

NOTICIAS Quarterly Magazine Oe Ti ie Santa Barbara Historical Society Autumn 2002

Vol. XLVlIi, No. 3

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HE Santa Barbara Symphony ; Celebrating Fifty Years

ANTA Barbara has enjoyed a long and rich hisloi-y in(he arts,a rtmarlicible history given the >-elaLively small size ofthe community. yMusic has played a large part in this history, dating backloJoseLobero'sluundingoJ his theatre and opera house in iSy;},and beyond,to the liturgical chants ojthe early days ofthe Old Mission.

Forjijiy years,the Santa Barbara Symplnmy has played a majurrole in theemnmunity s musical lij'e.

Irom its modest beginnings in 1953, the symphony has groivn in musicality and stature,earning recogni tion as one of the outstanding community orchestras in the counti-w Ardis Higgins,a Santa Barbara Symphony board member ojover thu-ty years standing, relates the history ofthis musical institution in this issue o/Noticias. I'he tale told here is more than just that of concerts,conductors, and guest artists, impoi-tant as these are to the story. She shoivs hoiv the symphony has become a vitalforce in the cidtural life of the community through education and outreach and by maturing young musical talent. Ihe Santa Barbara Symphony continues to build upon that commit ment madefifty years ago to the musical enrichment oj the South Coast.

Front cover image design concept by HickDiNapoli. Photograph ofthe Santa Barbara Symphony program by William B. Dewey. Bacf cover image is the pre.sent logo of the Santa Barbara Symphony.

All photographs arefrom the archives of the Santa Barbara Symphony unless noted otherwise.

THE AUTHOR: Ardis O. Higgins has been a member of the Santa Barbara Symphony Board of Directorsfor over thirty years, serving as presidentfor three years. Shereceived her B.A. andM.A.de grees in musicfrom Hoithwestem University and did doctoral ivorfat USC. She taught at colleges m Illinois and Calijoniia and has authored many articles and hoofs as an international music consultant.

She recently was a ixcipient of the Santa Barbara News-Press Lifetime Achievanent Award.

INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS; NOTiciAS IS a quarterly joumal devoted to the study of the history oi Santa Barbara County. Contributions ol articles are welcome. Those authors whose articles arc accepted lor publication will receive ten gratis copies of the issue in which their article appears. Further copies arc available to the contributor at cost. The authority in matters of style is the University of Chicago Manual of Style, i.^th edition. The Publications Committee reserves the right to return submitted manuscripts lor required changes. Statements and opinions expressed in articles are the sole responsibility of the author.

Michael Redmon, Editor Judy Sutcliilc. Designer © 2002 The Santa Barbara Historical Society 136 E. Dc la Guerra Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101 ● Telephone; 805/966-160 Single copies $5.00 ISSN 0581-5916

The Santa Barbara Symphony Ardis O. Higgins The OFFICIAL BEGINNING of tlic Santa Bar

tablishmcnt of a professional orchestra in Santa Barbara is out of the question.”

The idea would not die, however. In 1953, the hard work ot two local musicians

bara Symphony is marked by the orchestra's first concert performance— December 12.1953. at the Lobero Theatre.

came to fruition. Violinist Stefan Krayk and oboist Clayton Wilson were both members of the faculty at the University of California Santa Barbara. These two

The concept ol a professional orchestra, however, had been in development for some ten years.

A small group of musicians gathered in 1943 for the sheer joy of making music together. Local music teachers, students, and friends swelled the group and the

men were determined to sec a professional orchestra formed which could bring to members of the greater Santa Barbara com munity of all ages symphonic music of the highest quality. These highly respected mu-

Violinist Stefan Kraykand oboisr Clayton Wil son,co-jounders ojthe Santa Barbara Symphony.

Both werefaculty members at the University of California Santa Barbara.

minutes kept from that period make it clear chat the idea of forming a professional orchestra was discussed early on.

Rehearsals became more formal, concerts were presented, and financial plans discussed in laying the groundwork for a professional organization.

Initial developments along these lines ground to a halt in 1950. Edwin Jones, con ductor of the orchestral group, left Santa Barbara to cake a teaching position and en thusiasm momentarily waned. The min utes of one meeting concluded, "The es49

50 sicians urged other musicians and music teachers to join them in their endeavor.

The result was a gathering of thirtyfive musicians at the Lobero Theatre chat December evening to present a program of pieces by Georg Friedrich Handel, Joseph Haydn. Felix Mendelssohn, and Camille Sainc-Saens. The evening was a great suc cess; as one reviewer put it, "The music was superb." The Santa Barbara Sym phony formally incorporated in 1954, The orchestra's budget chat first year was $10,000. Musicians were paid from funds primarily generated through contri butions rather than ticket sales. After five

NOTICIAS try, Frezin came to the U.S. in 1948 and played in a number of major orchestras. He was cellist of the Paganini Quartet and played with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Cleveland Orchestra, After the first season the conducting baton was taken up by Lauris Jones of the Pasadena Symphony. Under his leadership, the symphony performed many works by American composers. One of the notewor thy concerts was Aaron Copland’s A Lmcoln Portrait with the narration spoken by Rev. George Hall, then pastor of Montecito's AIl-Saints-By-The-Sea Epis copal Church. Herbert Weiskopf took over the conducting duties for the 1956-57 sea son.

Ernest Gold conducted the 1957-58 sea

years, however, it became apparent chat payment of the musicians would have to be discontinued. Only the part-time con ductor would be paid and this policy re ceived the consent of the musicians. All the while efforts continued to build commu

son, but his tenure the following season was cut short when he was called upon to write the music for the film. Exodus. Gold won

nity support and develop larger audiences.

Partial payment of musicians was re-intro duced in 1960.

The orchestra’s first conductor was the

an Academy Award for his efforts. The Santa Barbara Symphony made its first recording when RCA Victor produced an album of the film score with Erno Daniel

Belgian-born cellist, Adolphe Frezin. Af ter a distinguished career in his native coun¬

conducting.

Daniel had been one of the guest con ductors during Gold’s absence. In 1960, the Board of Directors engaged him as the first permanent conductor of the Santa Barbara Symphony. During this period a closer re lationship developed with the University of California Santa Barbara in which the symphony conductor would also conduct the orchestra at the university, A number of musicians also played in both orches tras: Stefan Krayk became Concertmaster of the Santa Barbara Symphony.

A native of Hungary. Daniel came to the U.S. in 1949. He enjoyed a reputation

A Belgian native,Adolphe Frezin was the Santa Barbara Symphony’sfirst conductor. After servingforoneyear,he left Santa Barbara to cemtinue his distinguished career as a cellist.

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Bmo Daniel served iis the SantaBarbara Symphony’sfirst jiill-time conductorJrom i960 to 1966.1 Ic was an adventuresome programmer and abo initiated a number ojcommunity outreach programs.

as an outstanding concert pianist, as well as holding a number of conducting posi tions before coming to Santa Barbara. He had worked with several world-renowned conductors including Pierre Monteux, Eu gene Ormandy, and George Szell.

Tlie symphony was also moving onto firmer f inancial ground. Terry C.Schwarz, a full-time manager, was hired to perform administrative duties previously done by volunteers. Musicians enjoyed small raises and each of the four concert programs now received two performances. Such was the growth in audience during the 1960-61 sea son, the symphony moved from the 660seat Lobero Theatre to the 1600-scat Granada Theatre.

Daniel was an adventuresome program mer. During his first season, the symphony performed the West Coast premiere of

M.ani[icatc by Alan Hovhaness which in-

corporaccd Near Eastern folk maccnal. Tlie symphony also performed the American premiere ol the Cotnedy Overture by Peter Pricker under Daniel's direction. Local au diences also 20t their first hearinss of 20'’’century composers such as William Walton and Zoltan Kodaly.

The opening concert of the 1961 sea son was dedicated to the United Nations.

The highlight ot the concert was the world premiere of Gold's Exodus score, arranged as a symphonic suite by Robert Russell Bennett. The distinguished singer, Nan Merriman, performed Gustav Mahler’s Songs ofthe Wayfarer that evening. The special concert was rounded out by selec tions of symphonic music.

Humor was the theme in March 1961 when Harpo Marx '’guest-conducted an

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Ilumorivas the orderofthe evening when Harpo?4arx appeared in a March ig6i concert.

Pictured left to right are television host Qene Forssell, Harpo Marx,conductor Emo Daniel, and symphony general manager Terry C.Schwarz.

orchescra of local dignicaries in Joseph Haydn’s 'loy Symphony using a fishing pole as a baton. A talented harpist, he also per formed some beautiful, serious pieces, Erno Daniel initiated the Young Artists Competition. Open to contestants aged fif teen to eighteen, each year a different in strument was featured. The winner re ceived a $1000 award and two solo appear ances with the orchestra. Other finalists received $100 honorariums. This concept was expanded in 1972 with the Young So loists Competition. For six years, begin ning in 1988, Esperia Foundation joined the symphony in sponsoring a national com petition. These competitions became an important part of the symphony’s outreach to the community.

Emo Daniel led an important era in the early growth of the Santa Barbara Sym¬

phony. He was a talented concert pianist, a sensitive conductor, teacher, and mentor.

Alter a "Season of Discovery’’ in which several guest conductors led the orchestra.

Ronald Ondrejka became the new resident conductor of the Santa Barbara Symphony in the autumn of 1967 Previously the As sociate Conductor of the Pittsburgh Sym phony. Ondrejka would lead the Santa Barbara Symphony for the next twelve years.

Under the leadership of Ondrejka and new managing director Genevieve Fisher, who was hired in 1967, the symphony con tinued to prosper and grow. By 1970, the budget had grown to more than $100,000, signifying the symphony as a metropoli tan orchestra. The size of the orchestra grew as did the number of concerts and youth programs. Ondrejka coordinated

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SANTA BARBARA SYMPHONY with the schools die Concerts for Young People and Tiny Tots Concerts. He intro duced the annual performances of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, in coop eration with the Goleta Ballet. The inau guration of Informances, a traveling pro gram for seniors, occurred under his watch ful eye.

There were a number of premieres dur ing Ondrejka's years as conductor, Tlie first

Double bassist Nancy Chase played in the symphony'sfirst concert at age seventeen. She is still playing with the symphony today.

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Qreat excitement was caused by the appearance ofpianist Van Clibum in Novanber igyy.

To date, Rpnald Ondrejka’s twelve-year tenure as NIusic Director is the longest in the history ofthe Santa Barbara Symphony. Photograph by Hal Bergsohn Assoc. was Ingolf Dahl’s Saint Barbara. To cel ebrate the twenty-first anniversary of the symphony, Arthur Bliss was commissioned to write Fanfare. The distinguished com poser and conductor lived for a time in Santa Barbara, taught at the Santa Bar bara School of the Arts in the 1920s, and had been director of the Music Branch of the local Community Arts Association.

A sign of the continued growth in the popularity of the symphony occurred in

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NOTICIAS

■mEATHE ISSUE

THIS WEEK IN and the greater

The Santa Barbara SyiU' phony has presented a wide variety ofmusic to its audi ences over the years. An ex-

GOLtTA VAlU'f

ample of this was the ap pearance ofjazz gfcat Dave Bruheckand his Trio in De

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canTA BARBARA S\- --RONALD ONDREJKA, Conductor DAVE BRUBECK TRIO

1976 with the change of concert venue to the 2,000-seat Arlington Theatre, the the atre with the largest seating capacity in Santa Barbara. The move was celebrated on the night of May 22. 1976 with the appearance of clarinetist Benny Goodman, "The King of Swing, ” with the symphony Goodman's program contained both clas sical and jazz selections.

The year 1977 was notable for the performances of two world-renowned artists. Jessye Norman presented a rich program of arias and gospel songs. In November, pianist Van Cliburn, former

DECEMBER 16, iWl (S« pro*«m

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winner of the Tchaikovsky Piano Com petition, took the stage with the sym phony. A partial list of soloists appear ing with the symphony during Ronald Ondrejka's conducting tenure includes pianist Claudio Arrau, violinist Pinchas Zuckerman, and the classical guitar playing Romero family. Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck also appeared with his trio. He jokingly dedicated one number to his brother, Henry, who taught mu sic at San Marcos and Santa Barbara high schools. The title of the piece was Brother, Can Ibu Spare a Dime. The or chestra issued a record album in 1978 to

SANTA BARBARA SYMPHONY cominemorate its cwcnty-fifch annivcrsary.

The innovative and successful tenure of Ronald Ondrejka as conductor of the Santa Barbara Symphony came to a wistful end in the spring of 1979 when friends of the symphony gathered to bid a fond farewell.

Ondrejka was leaving to cake the conduct ing post of the orchestra in Fort Wayne, Indiana. During his time in Santa Barbara, he had helped build "one of the finest com munity ensembles anywhere.”

Frank Collura now joined the Santa Barbara Symphony to begin the 1979-80 season. He also became the conductor of the University Symphony and Director of the conducting program at UCSB. Edu cated at the Manhattan School of Music, Collura had appeared as featured trumpet

55 soloisc with the Butfalo Philharmonic and the Kansas City Philharmonic, He had also previously recorded with the London Phil harmonic.

During his four seasons as conductor, Collura added a new dimension of freshness, vitality, and enthusiasm to the orches tra. He elicited new heights of discipline and performance from what had become a completely professional orchestra. Among the highlights were recitals by pianist Andre Watts and mezzo-soprano Leontyne Price. The Romero guitar fam ily returned for a successful engagement and jazz singer Sarah Vaughan performed in a pops concert with the orchestra. In 1980, the symphony gave the American premiere of Peter Fricker’s Sinfoniaforiy Winds. Dr. Frickcr had been a Professor of

Frank Collura, Music Directorfirm igy8 to ig8^, rehearses the orchestra. Ihe symphony made great advances in professionalism under his baton.

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Above:Cmo Daniel conducts the Santa Barbara Symphony at the opening concert of the igbi season. Vie concert was dedicated to the United AJations.

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SANTA BARBARA SYMPHONY

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NOTICIAS

Varujan Kojian developed a special rapport with both the orchestra and audiences during his time as Music Director.Also pictured is Nina Bodnar,whogrew up in Santa Barbara,served as the sy^nphony s concertmaster under Kojian,and enjoyed a successful career as a soloist.

Music at the University of California Santa Barbara, since 1964.

The leave taking of Frank Collura saw a season of guest conductors in 1983-84 as the search began for a new Music Direc tor. That search ended when Varujan Kojian stepped to the podium at the be ginning of the 1984-85 season as the con ductor of the Santa Barbara Symphony, Born in Beirut, Lebanon, he began the study of the violin at age eight. The Presi dent of Lebanon arranged for him to study at the Paris Conservatory of Music, and he then continued his studies at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and the Univer sity of Southern California, where he stud ied under Jascha Heifetz. He had held a number of conducting posts in the U.S. and

Europe before arriving in Santa Barbara.

Finances were a concern as Kojian joined the symphony. Tlirough careful pro gramming and rehearsal scheduling, ex penses were reduced. Kojian made a per sonal contribution by purchasing the mu sic used by the orchestra during his tenure.

Box office sales increased dramatically and the symphony moved into the black.

Two musical traditions were begun under Kojian: the Fourth of July Pops Concerts at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and the New Year’s Eve Gala Concerts at the Arlington Theatre. His desire to nurture young talent resulted in his conducting the Santa Barbara Youth Orchestra, and he fostered close cooperation between the symphony and

SANTA BARBARA SYMPHONY the Music Academy of the West.

Innovative programs included Compos ers in Rsidence. Among the participants were Peter Frickcr. film score composer Elmer Bernstein, and Dr. Emma Lou Diemer. Her Concerto in One Movementfor Piano received its world premiere in Santa Barbara. The distinguished pianist was Betty Obcracher, a member of the music faculty at UCSB. Another successful pro gram was a series of music therapy semi nars which ran from 1988-90 and which brought in experts in the field from across the U.S. and Canada.

The group’s first CD recording was made towards the end of the 1991 sea son—Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with Kojian as solo violinist. Violin vir tuoso, Itzhak Perlman, appeared with the symphony in 1992. Kojian was ill at this time, and the orchestra was conducted

by Mehli Mehta, father of Zubin Mehta.

Varujan Kojian passed away in March

59 1993. The symphony had made grcai: strides during his tenure as conductor, both financially and artistically. This "worldclass conductor of elegance and grace" had enjoyed a close rapport with the orchestra's musicians and an enthusiastic relationship with the public.

Once again the search began for a leader for the symphony. Chosen from a field of nine finalists. Gisele Ben-Dor was selected as the Music Director and Conductor of the Santa Barbara Symphony in the spring of 1994.

A native of Uruguay, Ben-Dor began studying piano at the age of four and be came proficient at a number of other in struments, including guitar and Para guayan harp. She began conducting at age fourteen and led various ensembles at her high school. After a period of study in Israel, where her tamily liad moved, she be gan studying at the\ale Schoolof Musicin 1980, where she received a Master's Degree.

Qisele Ben-Dor has expanded the symphony's repertoire and has introduced a numberofinnovations in the symphony’s outreach and educational programming.

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NOTICIAS Left: One of the symphony s most popular programs is the of July Pops Concert. Plere Qisele Ben-Dor conducts at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Qarden in the midiggos.

Below left: Qisele Ben-Dor encourages a young student as she takes a turn at coiiducting the orchestra.Photo byLizAmidon.

Advcncuresomc program ming has been an earmark of Ben-Dor’s tenure. Tlic orches tra has performed the works of a number of Latin Ameri can composers including Silvestre Revultas, Albert Ginastcra, and Miguel Del Aquila.She has introduced the concept of symphonic festi vals to the Santa Barbara au the with dience

During the course of the 1980s she ap peared with a number of orchestras, includ ing the Israel Philharmonic, and worked with notable conductors including Zubin Mehta and Leonard Bernstein. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 1991 and led the New York Philharmonic for the first time in 1993, leading its summer series.

In addition to her duties widi die Santa Bar bara Symphony,Bai-Dor has continued to ap pear widi orchestras around die world, iiicluding die London Symphony Orchestra, die Los Angeles Pliilliarmonic, die Boston Rips,and die English Qiamber Orchestra. Li 1999,she once again speared widi die Ncu^Yirk Philliannonic in a demanding program of pieces by Ludwig van Beedioven and Gustav Maliler. She is also die Conductor Emcrita of die Bistoii Pro-Arte Qiamber Orchestra.

groundbreaking Rcvucltas Festival in January 2000. Tlie symphony continues to work with other organizations to bring a wide va riety of music to audiences. An example of this is the Santa Barbara Choral Society un der the direction of JoAnne Wasserman; in 2002jazz vtxalist Dianne Reeves appeared, jointly sponsored with Arts and Lectures at UC Santa Barbara.

Tlie symphony has recorded three times under her leadership, with more planned in the future. Tlie world premiere recording of Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Symphony No, 10, Amaindia. was one of the successful releases.

Education and outreach have been at the core of the symphony’s programs during its fifty-year history. As school districts con tinue to experience budget cuts, thus often resulting in cutbacks in programming, the Santa Barbara Symphony plays an ever-morc important role in bringing great music to the

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SANTA BARBARA SYMPHONY community’s children. In many cases, the symphony's programs are the only venue through which these cliildren may be exposed to symphonic music.

The symphony’s first conductor.

Adolphe Frezin, presided over the first per formances of free concerts for youths. Dur ing the Concerts for Young People, presently staged in the Arlington Theatre, the conduc tor explains the various roles of the instru ments and how the musicians work together to create the music. Today,some eight thou sand fourth, fifth, and sixth graders annu ally attend the four-concert series. The chil dren are invited to enter an essay contest on why they would like to conduct or be a mem ber of the symphony.

During the 1970s,volunteer docents traveled to the schools to give introductory sessions about the music the students would hear. These sessions included information about the composers and on proper concert etiquette. In the 1980s, teachers were supplied with written and taped materials by the symphony.

Another outreach program of the symphony, begun in 1978, is the Music Vhn Program. Initially the result of the largesse of Vincent and Margery Evans, former owners of Andersen’s Pea Soup Restaurant in BucUton, this program has brought the sound

of orchestral instruments to thousands of cliildren. Docents demonstrate the instru ments and then invite students to try their own hand at music-making. In 2001, mem bers of the orchestra began to accompany the docents to share their experiences as pro fessional musicians and to play for the chil dren. The van visits schools in an area which stretches from southern San Luis Obispo County to Ojai in Ventura County.

In the 1970s, under the direction ol Conductor Ronald Ondrcjka and General Manager Genevieve Fisher, the symphony inaugurated the Tiny Tots Concert, devoted to introducing concert music to children of pre-school age. During these programs of

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Above: Hpnald Ondr^fia was a great believer in exposing children to great music at an early age. Here the conductor gives a youngster a helping hand at a 'Eny Tots Concert.

Left: Ihe symphony’s Music Van has bnmght the joys ofmusic to thousands of school children since its inception in igyS. Shirley Qerity, left, and John Baas watch as students try out the instruments.

NOTICIAS

62 carefully selected music, children are encour aged CO sing, dance, and clap to the music, Tlic young audiences have an opportunity CO meet the musicians after the concerts and handle the instruments, A number of dilterent venues have been utilized over the years including the Sunken Gardens at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse and the Santa Barbara Ztx).

In 1974, the Youth Symphony was founded under the umbrella of the Santa Bar bara Symphony, which acts as advisor.

The Youth Symphony consists ol some sixty musicians from ten to eighteen years of age. This group perlorms five concerts each year including Tiny Tots concerts as well as a pops and concerto night concerts. An other eltorc to engage young people in the making ol mu sic was the introduction in 1989 of the String Instruc tional Workshop Program, offered to children in grades four through eight. A recently organized string ensemble performs lor the Tiny Tots and in recitals held as part of the string workshops. These programs have grown in im portance as schools cut their own music curriculums.

orchestra works with other music,dance, and artistic groups to bring symphonic music to all members of the community. Tliese con certs build awareness not only of the Santa Barbara Symphony, but ocher groups as well.

Older listeners may participate in die Adult Education and Outreach Program.Free previews are held in schails and private homes to intro duce the music of upcoming concerts. Spanish translations arc provided during diesc public pre views. Another outreacli program to die Latino community is the Hispanic Leadership W^mai’s Lunclicons,in vdiich participants liavc die cliancc to meet Macscra BenDor. learn more about the sym phony, and CO become Sym phony League members.

Lectures arc given one hour bclore concerts to deepen audi ence appreciation of concert repertoire. Symphony musi cians visit retirement and rest

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homes to present Informances to those who perhaps cannot attend concerts. Another pro gram, Outreach Passes, al lows seniors, disabled, and

The Siinta Barbara Syrnphony has done much to nurture young musical talent. Symphony memba's act as advisors to the Santa

students to attend Sunday matinees free of charge. Some 15,000 people annually take advantage ol this program.

Barbara Ooiidi Symphony.

Funding the Santa Barbara Symphony and its myriad of In 1996, the symphony cooperated with programs is an on-going process and chal the Santa Barbara Museum of Arc to create lenge. A major event in cliis process cook place the "Can You Draw?” program, in which in 1962 when John Noble, then president ol children are given lessons on drawing accom the Board ol Directors, gave $35,000 in stock as a foundation for an endowment. In the panied by music. Children are then encour aged CO draw what they hear. Tlie winner’s late 1990s, the "Securing the Future” cam drawing appears on the cover ol the teacher’s paign, under the leadership of Norman guide for the Concerts for Young People. Two Sosner. successfully met its lundraising goal of four million dollars. creative arcs are thus brought together in this unique program.

Music Director Giscle Ben-Dor created the Family Concert series in 2001, presented at Santa Barbara Junior High School. Tire

Continuing pro^ams include Special Endowmaits, designed to meet specific needs or goals. A musician’s chair may be aidowcd as part ol diis program. Fifteai musician cliairs

SANTA BARBARA SYMPHONY have so far been endowed as has dx conduaor’s podium. Tlx Allegro Society recognizes chose who contribute $10,000 or more to die Endowmcnc Fund, while the Golden Fhlin Society sa lutes diose who give between $1,000and $9,999 to dx symphony Tlie Santa Barbara Sym phony Association now enjoys an annual bud get of some $1,75 million.

A large part of this success story has been the Santa Barbara Symphony League, It be gan as the Santa Barbara Symphony Orches tra Women’s Association in 1960. The League became a primary fundraiser for the symphony. It was originally involved in ticket sales and. over the years, has mounted

63 beginning of this special season with the Fourth ol July Concert at the Sunken Gar den of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, The gala opening weekend in October fea tures the symphony under the leadership of Maestra Giscle Ben-Dor with the world-renowaxd Russian pianist, Yefim Bronfman, as featured soloist.

Education and community outreach con tinue CO be earmarks of dx symphony's pro grams. Qose coUaboracion with odier cultural groups in dx Santa Barbara area has brought additional enliancemencs to the symphony’s cfforLs. Tlicse innovative programs,a hi^i le\'el of musiciansliip, and the generous support of the community has bestowed upon dx Santa Barbara Symphony dx distinction of being a mode! regional orchestra.

A highlight ojthe symphony's recent history was the appearance ojMstislav I{ostropovich,part of the cellist’s 75''' birthday tour. Photo by Joanne

A. Calitri.

Cellist Alita [{jiodes discus.ses her instrument during an Injvrmances program. Injonnances byvught music to adidts xvho perhaps could not attend a concert. any number of fundraising events ranging

from bake sales to home tours and fashion shows CO the publication of two cookbooks to innovative concerts. During dx past thirty years, the League has raised over $1,000,000 for the Santa Barbara Symphony.

Tlx Santa Barbara Symphony now em barks on the celebration of its fiftieth anni versary. The 2002-2003 season will bring a series of the finest classical music concerts with an array of spectacular international soloists. Over seven thousand attended the

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The Santa Barbara Historical Society wishes to acknowledge the generous support of

Helene and Jerry Beaver Mr. Robert and ,3r. Heda Carpenter towards the publication of this issue of

Noticias.

SANTA BARBARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2002 La Fiesta del Museo Contributors The Santa Barbara Historical Society wishes to thank and to acknowledge with pride the following individuals, businesses and institutions for their most generous contributions to the Society’s 2002 Fiesta Party.

PATRONS Stewart & Katherine Abercrombie Anonymous Philip & Leslie Bernstein Mike & Lisa Champion Janet Milligan Crary Roy & Elizabeth Edwards Derk & Dricka Hunter Carrie Belle McFic K Michael Rogers Santa Barbara Bank & Trust Santa Barbara Car Company Richard & Robin Schuttc Greg Serras Tlic Rord Foundation Starbuck, Tisdale & Associates TcamMcrccdcs.com Bill & Barbara Tomicki Donald & Jo Beth Van Gcldercn Hugh & Susie Vos Elizabeth S. Youker SPONSORS John & Patricia Broome James & Laura Ebright Bob & Ann Edmonston Gordon & Constance Fish Ro.se Ann Hill Robin Hill Ccdcrlof Harry & Leslie Hovey Eric Hv0lboll Marc F. Jones I’hilip & Colleen Kirst Jane Rich Mueller J. Edward & Plattic Quest Kenneth & Mary Lou

Riley Robin & Stelani Taliaferro

SILENT AUCTION CONTRIBUTORS ARC-CLIO Meredith Brooks Abbott

Ganna Walska Lotusland Foundation Gcison’s Market Glamour House

Jean Smith Goodrich Andersen’s Bakery Hamilton & Associates Anonymous Educational Consultants Antique Alley Antoinette Harry 6; Leslie Hovey Architectural Foundation of Inn at East Beach Santa Barbara Jcdlicka’s B. R. Cohn Winery Kaleidoscope Flowers Michael Kamcn Balu Designs Baroncclli Linens & Kate Accessories Kiehl's Victor & Isabel Barcolome La Casa Del Zorro Baskin Robbins Lewis & Clark Louie's Restaurant Bay Cafe Robert Beckham Stewart MacDougall Bcdlord Thompson Winery M.C. Swan & Vineyard Bel Viso Philip & Leslie Bernstein Best Western Pepper Tree Inn b39can9ik Brostrom's Bryant & Sons. Ltd. Buttonu’ood Farm Winery & Vineyard Ca' Dario CAMA Cambridge House Carry & Carry Antiques Chad's Channel City Club Bnxikc Comer Country House Antiques Patrick & Marilyn Dc\bung Reece Duca Merritt & Wendy Edmunds Roy & Elizabeth Edwards El Encanto Hotel & Garden Villas Eladio's Emilio's Ristorantc

Magellan's Montecito Beauty Salon Montccito Confections Montecito Village Grocery Jane Rich Mueller Music Academy of the West One on One Fitness Tom & Joan Osborn Outback Steakhousc P. S. Limited Pala Mc.sa Resort Paradise Calc

HRC Department Santa Barbara Historical Scxiicty Santa Barbara Inn/ Citroncllc Santa Barbara Maritime Museum Santa Barbara Museum of Art Santa Barbara Olive Company Santa Barbara Sym phony Santa Barbara Zoological Cjardens Richard & Robin Schuttc Shear Design Shear Pleasure Simpson House Inn Skin Care Institute Sorrell Design Spencer's Limousine & Tours St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Frank & Kay Stevens Robin & Stefani Taliaferro Tecolote Book Store The Last Resort The Nugget The Stationery Collection

Peregrine Galleries iVrsonal Tours, Ltd. Ruth PtKOck

Tiffany & Company Bill & Barbara Tomicki

Portico Gallery & Frame Rancho San Marcos Golt Course

Trader Joe's Tupelo Junction Cafe Tutti's

Rancho Sisquoc Winery Red Carnation Hotels Restaurant Mimosa

Upham Hotel Donald & Jo Beth Van Gcldercn Von's

John T Reynolds Richard Longoria Wines S.A. Hogue & Company Sage & Onion Saks Fifth Avenue San Ysidro Ranch

BENEFACTORS

Estate of Jean Storkc Mcnzics Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort

Louise Duque Brant Mrs. Richard A. Grant

Fiji Natural Artesian Water Fillmore & Western

Robert & Nancy Power Carol Lapham Valentine

Railway Four Seasons Bilcmorc

Santa Barbara Airport Santa Barbara Back & Neck Care Center

(iaincy Vineyards

Santa Barbara City College

Sanford Winery & Vineyards Santa Barbara Airbus

WA.King Waterfront Grill & The Endless Summer Bar Calc Bud & Cicely 'Wlieclon Wliitncy West Wiliam Laman Furniture Garden Antiques Zaca Mesa Winery

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Santa Barbara California Permit No. 534

NOTICIAS Quarterly Magazine of the Santa Barbara Historical Society 136 E. Dc la Guerra Street Santa Barbara, California 93101

Address Service Requested

CONTENTS Pg. 49; Santa Barbara Symphony