Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra

Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra Since 1945 the Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra has been a major cultural asset for Santa Monica and

Scenes from Life: Creativity — From Screen to Stage: Video Game Music and Orchestral FavoritesJoin the Santa Monica Symp...
03/26/2026

Scenes from Life: Creativity — From Screen to Stage: Video Game Music and Orchestral Favorites

Join the Santa Monica Symphony, led by Music Director Pola Benke, on May 2 at Barnum Hall for an evening that explores the storytelling power of music across traditions and generations.

This program features beloved works from the classical repertoire by Mussorgsky, Chopin, and Grieg, alongside music from iconic video games, including The Witcher, The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, Minecraft, and God of War. Presented side by side, these works highlight both continuity and innovation in musical expression.

This is a free concert, offered as part of our commitment to serving the community. We warmly welcome audiences of all backgrounds — from longtime concertgoers to those discovering orchestral music for the first time.

Costumes and cosplay are welcome, though not required.

RSVP on Eventbrite (Free Admission): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/santa-monica-symphony-presents-scenes-from-life-creativity-tickets-1622990260559?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

03/16/2026

A beautiful night with the Santa Monica Symphony - celebrating Polish music of Lutosławski, Chopin with and electrifying Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 finale.

Thank you, Santa Monica!





3 reasons to join us this weekend at the Santa Monica Symphony.Our upcoming program, Scenes from Life: Identity, brings ...
03/11/2026

3 reasons to join us this weekend at the Santa Monica Symphony.

Our upcoming program, Scenes from Life: Identity, brings together music that reflects heritage, tradition, and the cultural mosaic of Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles community.

The evening features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1, alongside music by Witold Lutosławski and Fryderyk Chopin.

We are also honored to welcome award-winning pianist Ryota Yamazaki, currently based in Los Angeles and studying at the Colburn School of Music, performing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1.

Music Director Pola Benke brings her Polish heritage to the stage in a program that connects musical traditions across generations and cultures.

📍 John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center
📅 Saturday · 7 PM
🎟 Free admission — all are welcome

We look forward to sharing this special evening of music with our community.

Reserve your free tickets now:
https://www.smsymphony.org/events/scenes-from-life-identity/?occurrence=2026-03-14

Santa Monica Symphony presentsScenes from Life: IdentityThis deeply personal program reflects the rich cultural mosaic t...
02/11/2026

Santa Monica Symphony presents
Scenes from Life: Identity

This deeply personal program reflects the rich cultural mosaic that defines Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles region.

Music Director Pola Benke brings her Polish heritage to the stage in a program exploring identity, memory, and belonging. From Witold Lutosławski — who maintained artistic connections to Los Angeles — to Frédéric Chopin, whose music became a powerful expression of national identity in exile, this evening traces how culture travels and finds new homes.

We are honored to feature award-winning pianist Ryota Yamazaki, a Los Angeles–based artist currently studying at the Colburn School of Music, performing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1.

As always, Santa Monica Symphony concerts are free and open to all. We look forward to welcoming our community.

https://www.smsymphony.org/events/scenes-from-life-identity/?occurrence=2026-03-14

What a powerful afternoon of music and community.This concert was more than a performance — it was a gathering rooted in...
01/20/2026

What a powerful afternoon of music and community.

This concert was more than a performance — it was a gathering rooted in reflection, unity, and shared experience, held on MLK Day weekend and inspired by the values Dr. King stood for. We are grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make this moment so special.

📸 Photos by Craig Allyn Cochran

As we welcome the New Year, we want to share our gratitude with everyone who made this season meaningful.To our musician...
12/31/2025

As we welcome the New Year, we want to share our gratitude with everyone who made this season meaningful.

To our musicians, guest artists, collaborators, donors, volunteers, and audiences — thank you for your continued support and for being part of the Santa Monica Symphony community. Your presence and enthusiasm allow us to keep sharing music that inspires connection and harmony.

We look forward to welcoming you to many beautiful moments of music in the year ahead.

Each January, we gather not only to listen — but to reflect.Scenes from Life: UNITY, the Santa Monica Symphony’s annual ...
12/27/2025

Each January, we gather not only to listen — but to reflect.

Scenes from Life: UNITY, the Santa Monica Symphony’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. concert, takes place on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 3:00 PM at Barnum Hall on the campus of Santa Monica High School.

This special program brings together the Santa Monica Symphony and the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles in a shared musical statement honoring Dr. King’s legacy of justice, dignity, and collective responsibility.

Program highlights include:
• William Grant Still’s Symphony No. 1 “Afro-American”
• Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait
• Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing
• We Shall Overcome

With guest conductor Gary Pratt, ICYOLA founder and conductor Charles Dickerson, narrator Earl Ofari Hutchinson, and orator Tonoccus McClain, this concert is a powerful reminder of how music gives voice to our shared values.

We invite our community — families, longtime patrons, and new listeners alike — to join us for this meaningful afternoon.

🎟️ Seating is limited. We encourage early reservations.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/santa-monica-symphony-presents-scenes-from-life-unity-annual-mlk-concert-tickets-1622957602879?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thank you for an unforgettable evening.Our December 20 concert was a true celebration of music, movement, and community....
12/22/2025

Thank you for an unforgettable evening.

Our December 20 concert was a true celebration of music, movement, and community. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us at Barnum Hall and helped make this holiday concert so special.

From the dedication of our musicians and the leadership of Music Director Pola Benke, to the stunning ballet collaborations Kaela Alvarez and Naomi Coulter and the warmth of a full audience, this evening reflected everything we value about live performance.

We extend heartfelt thanks to our supporters, sponsors, and donors—your generosity makes these concerts possible and allows us to continue sharing music with our community. We are honored to have you with us.

📷 Photo credit: Kristina Sado

Many of you have shared so many memorable evenings with us — and we’re excited to welcome you back for another.On Saturd...
12/18/2025

Many of you have shared so many memorable evenings with us — and we’re excited to welcome you back for another.
On Saturday, December 20 at 7 PM, join the Santa Monica Symphony at Barnum Hall for Scenes from Life: JOY.

This holiday program brings together orchestral music, ballet, and seasonal atmosphere for an evening designed to be experienced together. Under the direction of Music Director Pola Benke, the concert features music rooted in warmth and tradition, alongside moments of celebration and reflection.

We also invite you to arrive early and enjoy a special pre-concert exhibition in the Roberts Gallery (next to Barnum Hall) from 6:00–7:00 PM, featuring rare 1930s Works Progress Administration (WPA) artworks, curated by SMMUSD visual arts faculty member Laurie Ann Gutierrez — on view publicly for the first time in over 12 years.

Whether you’re returning with familiar faces or bringing someone new to share the experience, we look forward to welcoming you.

🎟 Free tickets are available now — only a few remain.
Reserve your seats on Eventbrite.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/santa-monica-symphony-presents-scenes-from-life-joy-tickets-1622939829719?aff=oddtdtcreator

✨ Scenes from Life: JOY ✨Join us for a festive evening with the Santa Monica Symphony on Saturday, December 20 at 7 PM a...
12/15/2025

✨ Scenes from Life: JOY ✨

Join us for a festive evening with the Santa Monica Symphony on Saturday, December 20 at 7 PM at Barnum Hall.

This special holiday concert features music by Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Glazunov — and more, including seasonal favorites and highlights from The Nutcracker, brought to life with guest dancers from Los Alamitos Ballet Theatre.

Whether you’re coming with family, friends, or making it a holiday date night, this is an evening meant to be shared. 🤍
Free tickets are available now — only a few remain.

📍 Barnum Hall, Santa Monica
🎟 Reserve your seats on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/santa-monica-symphony-presents-scenes-from-life-joy-tickets-1622939829719?aff=oddtdtcreator

Address

2932 Wilshire Boulevard #203
Santa Monica, CA
90404

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 11pm
Tuesday 11am - 10pm
Wednesday 11am - 10pm
Thursday 11am - 10pm
Friday 11am - 10pm
Saturday 11am - 11pm
Sunday 11am - 11pm

Telephone

(310) 395-6330

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