The Santa Barbara Symphony’s Music Van program is a mobile music classroom introducing students to the instruments of the orchestra. Filled with instruments and led by musicians and docents, the Music Van tours third-grade classrooms in the greater Santa Barbara area each year, creating hands-on experiences that open young eyes and ears to new possibilities. For many students, the Music Van provides the first opportunity for them to see, hear, and play a real musical instrument. Provided at no cost to schools, this experience has been a source of inspiration for third graders in Santa Barbara County for 45 years!

The Symphony's Music Van docents conduct a one-hour session with each class. During the first half hour, students are introduced to the orchestra, conductor, and instruments. A professional musician accompanies the docents to demonstrate an instrument group (strings, woodwinds, brass, or percussion), and a CD is used to demonstrate the sound of additional instruments. The students are able to try out all the instruments during the second half hour which is the most fun part for them! There are usually two one-hour sessions at a school, and teachers LOVE the program.

The Music Van visits 3rd grade classrooms from October to February each school year. A separate session is performed for each class of 15-25 students.