FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 1, 2024
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: Interim City Manager, Alex Posada
BY: Interim Recreation and Parks Director Angela Oslund
SUBJECT: Presentation – Santa Maria Philharmonic Society
The City Council will receive a presentation regarding the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society.
BACKGROUND:
The roots of orchestral music in Santa Maria date back to 1925, when local musicians gathered in private homes for house concerts. Business leader and cellist G. Allan Hancock played a pivotal role in formalizing these efforts, bringing William Edson Strobridge, a former manager of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Los Angeles, to the area.
With Strobridge’s organizational expertise, local talent, and Hanco ck’s music library, the original Community Orchestra of Santa Maria was formed. By 1960, this evolved into the Santa Maria Symphony, which lasted 40 years, later known as the Coastal Valleys Symphony.
In 2001, the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society was esta blished, continuing the region’s symphonic tradition. Supported by donations, grants, and memberships, the Philharmonic presents an annual season of concerts and provides Youth Outreach programs.
DISCUSSION:
The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society’s presentation to the City Council, coinciding with October’s celebration of Arts and Humanities Month, will provide an overview of the organization’s impact on the community. The Philharmonic has played a vital role in fostering a vibrant cultural scene in Santa Maria, offering educational opportunities such as the Music Van, which introduces third graders to musical instruments, and concerts designed for fourth graders. The presentation will highlight how the Philharmonic relies on community support through donat ions, grants, and memberships to sustain its programs and will underscore the importance of continued investment in the arts to enrich the lives of residents and inspire the next generation of musicians.