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Santa Barbara, CA — August 21, 2026 – The Santa Barbara Chamber Players invite families to an exciting afternoon of music, imagination, and discovery on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 21 E. Constance Ave., Santa Barbara. Conducted by Maestro Michael Nowak, this special family concert will introduce young listeners to the orchestra. Maestro Michael Nowak will conduct a live performance, which will accompany a multimedia presentation that documents the history of flight and promises to transport attendees to other worlds.
The program has been designed to appeal to audiences of all ages, combining familiar melodies with great works of classical music, film music, jazz, and songs that have captured the imagination of generations.
Children will have a special opportunity to learn about the instruments of the orchestra during an introduction featuring “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” The program also includes selections from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Gustav Holst, Ravel, and John Williams. Bart Howard’s “Fly Me to the Moon” will feature jazz improvisation with vocalist Inga Swearingen and string bassist Ken Husted, adding an exciting element of spontaneity to the afternoon. The concert concludes with the timeless favorite “When You Wish Upon a Star,” with music by Leigh Harline and lyrics by Ned Washington, featuring vocalist Inga Swearingen. The song’s message of imagination, dreams, and possibility provides a fitting finale to an afternoon designed to inspire young listeners.
Following the performance, the Santa Barbara Symphony Music Van will be at the concert, allowing children to see and try musical instruments for themselves and discover what it is like to make music. The instrument exploration station is provided by the Santa Barbara Symphony’s Music Van Program.
The Santa Barbara Chamber Players encourage families to arrive ready to listen, explore, and perhaps discover a new favorite instrument. The Santa Barbara Chamber Players is grateful to their sponsors of the Santa Barbara Bowl and the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation who have made the concert possible for the community.
Event Information: Sunday, August 30th at 3 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 21 E.
Constance Ave. Tickets are $10, but free for those 18 and younger. Go to sbchamberplayers.org for tickets and more information.
