Santa Barbara Symphony Conductor and Symphony Principal String
perform at KotorArt 2024 International Music Festival!
One of our most exciting exchanges to date was having members of the Santa Barbara Symphony travel to our Sister City Kotor, Montenegro to perform at the KotorArt 2024 International Music Festival. Santa Barbara Symphony conductor, Nir Kabaretti, along with the Symphony’s principal strings: Jessica Guideri (violin), Ina Vel (violin), Eric Rynearson (viola), and Trevor Handy (cello) were joined by featured violinist and former Symphony concertmaster, Gilles Apap.
In a concert titled Santa Barbara Connection, held in the courtyard of St. Nicolas Franciscan Monastery, the Santa Barbara Symphony string quartet debuted three pieces which included Mozart, Montgomery, Dvořák, and a special arrangement of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
In addition, with the launching of the 2024 Tivat Music Festival, Porto Montenegro’s Dom Vojske Auditorium was all glamor and glitz as Nir Kabaretti conducted Santa Barbara Symphony musicians alongside KotorArt Symphony musicians in a concert titled California Dreaming: From Baroque to Rock. The orchestra brought the house down and received a standing ovation from the concert attendees, which included U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro, Judy Rising Reinke, and Santa Barbara visitors George and Denise Lilly, Vickie Williams, Franki Williams, and Roberta Christiansen.
Recent Posts
KotorArt Don Branko’s Music Days: July 13 – August 15, 2023
KotorArt International Festival, a festival of national importance for the culture of Montenegro, is one of the greatest and most important festivals in the country and region. Every summer KotorArt gathers an impressive number of international artists and with over 200 programs at numerous venues in Kotor and throughout the Bay, attracts tens of thousands of visitors, which makes it one of the most visited festivals of this type in the region. Since its founding in 2002, KotorArt has been developing the brand of the city of Kotor, Montenegro making it recognized in the country and region for its exclusivity and high artistic level of its programs.
Ratimir Martinović, founder and director of the KotorArt International Music Festival, extends a special invitation to visit Montenegro and attend the KotorArt International Festival, July 28 – August 3, 2023. This one-of-a-kind, tailored travel experience offers a chance to discover the rich history, culture, stunning natural beauty, beaches, and sea of Montenegro, known as the Gem of the Mediterranean. Not only will you have an unforgettable experience, but you will also be making a tax-deductible contribution to the KotorArt International Festival and the newly established ME&US Foundation, which is building connections between the people of Montenegro and the United States.
A Success Story!
In 2012, Charles Fredericks, a professor in the Culinary Arts department at Santa Barbara City College, traveled to Kotor to teach a select group of students at the Resource Center for Children with Hearing and Speech Disorders. Chef Charles taught the students basic culinary skills to prepare them for entry level positions in some of the finest resorts and restaurants in Montenegro. One of these students, Semir Ćorović, was chosen to intern at Divino restaurant in Brentwood, California, which led to full time employment at the Aman Resort in Montenegro. Another student, Ermina Sumović, stayed in Kotor and, with help from the Resource Center, found herself well prepared for a career in the kitchens of Montenegro.
One of the goals of Santa Barbara – Kotor Sister Cites has been to help students with hearing and speech disabilities find meaningful employment. We’re delighted to share with you the success of Semir and Ermina, who began their journey with us in 2012, and are currently employed at the Hotel Splendid, in Budva, Montenegro.
Our sincere thanks to Nedeljko Moskov, Director of the Resource Center, for his cooperation over the years to the benefit of many of his deserving young students and to Goran Milić, owner and chef at Divino restaurant, for his unwavering devotion in helping these young chefs succeed.
Cultural Intertwining at the Music Academy of the West
Entertaining, informative, and a look to the future was what everyone experienced who attended the Santa Barbara – Kotor Sister City event at the Music Academy of the West, on Sunday October 2nd.
Guests enjoyed original music created and performed by musicians from the department of music UCSB and Montenegro, along with performances by celebrated guitarist MILOŠ and the Crown Prince of Montenegro, Nicholas Petrovich-Njegoš. A documentary exploring the history of the U.S. and Montenegro and an emotional look back at 13 years of Sister City exchanges between Santa Barbara and Kotor were the highlights of the evening.
Dignitaries from both Sister Cities were on hand as Santa Barbara’s, Dr. Ichak K. Adizes, was awarded the newly established American Montenegro – USA Friendship Award under the patronage of the President of Montenegro, Mr. Milo Djukanović.
Ratimir Martinović, along with Helene Schnieder, presented the ME&US Fund (Montenegro & United States) a project initiated by Santa Barbara – Kotor Sister Cities, KotorArt, the SJL Foundation and the Don Branko Sbutega Foundation. With its mission to strengthen the civil and cultural ties between the two countries and their citizens.
The programs we have built together that make a difference.
The success of our Sister City program has been exchanges that bring people with common interests together. The exchanges in music, culinary, and sports have allowed young people from both cities to experience international travel and participate in programs that develop their skills and creates long term relationships within our two cities.
Classical Music
Music exchanges with KotorArt, the Music Academy of the West and UCSBs Music Department.
Goran Milić Culinary Academy
Culinary exchanges with the Resource Center in Kotor , SBCC’s Culinary School and internships in Santa Barbara and Kotor.
Water Polo
Water Polo exchanges with UCSB Water Polo, Premier Water Polo Club and Kotor’s Primorac Water Polo Club.
Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor, Montenegro was established as Santa Barbara’s Sister City in the Fall of 2009. The town of Kotor is located on the Adriatic coast in Montenegro. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical monuments, Kotor is located on a natural harbor within the Bay of Kotor. Like Santa Barbara, Kotor offers various year-round activities including sailing, diving, fishing, hiking, water polo, and festivals encompassing everything from theatre to musical arts.
