Opera Santa Barbara to Hold Youth Opera Auditions

Area children ages 8 to 18 are invited to audition for the Santa Barbara Youth Opera from 5 to 8 pm on Sunday, October 15, at the Alhecama Theatre, 914 Santa Barbara Street. Children under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Singers should come prepared to sing 16 bars of a song of their choice and bring sheet music for piano accompaniment.

Rehearsals will take place Sundays from 5 to 6:30 beginning October 22 at the First Congregational Church of Santa Barbara, 2101 State Street. For an audition appointment, contact youthopera@operasb.org.

Launched in 2016, the Santa Barbara Youth Opera provides young singers with tuition-free instruction and performance opportunities. According to Music Director Erin McKibben, the goal is to create a rewarding and artistically challenging environment for young artists who love to perform.

In partnership with the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation, the ensemble’s first performance will take place at 5 pmDecember 9 at the historic Presidio. The program will include Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols. 

Additional appearances will include a free performance of Britten’s one-act opera Noye’s Fludde at 3 pm February 2 at First United Methodist Church, 305 E. Anapamu Street in Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, conducted by Opera Santa Barbara Artistic Director Kostis Protopapas, also will perform. Youth Opera singers will entertain guests at Opera Santa Barbara’s Opera Ball on February 9 as well. Additional outreach activities are being planned.

About Opera Santa Barbara

Founded in 1994 by Marilyn Gilbert and Nathan Rundlett, Opera Santa Barbara is committed to presenting productions and educational programs of the highest quality. Over more than two decades the company has staged more than 50 operas and devoted thousands of hours to community outreach. The organization remains dedicated to the core passions that animated its founding: celebrating and championing the breadth and beauty of opera, and contributing to the cultural enrichment of the Santa Barbara community. Additional information is available at www.operasb.org.