Samo’s cafeteria transforms for spaghetti and strings

Matilde Martinez-Navarrete / The Samohi

On the night of Feb. 10, the Intermezzo, Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras greeted guests at Samo’s cafeteria for the annual Spaghetti and Strings concert. Before making their way to their seats, guests bid on various items — anything from an Ubatuba Acai gift card to a massage — at the concert's silent auction fundraiser. A few took the elevator to the Discovery Rooftop for the Sunset Sips event, where adults could enjoy alcoholic drinks with the beautiful beach skyline. Throughout the night, the orchestra students took shifts working as servers and bussers, handing out bite-sized appetizers while the Chamber Orchestra serenaded guests. 

In previous years, the program held Spaghetti and Strings at the Loew’s Santa Monica Beach Hotel. However, due to the hotel currently being under construction, Instructors Jason Aiello and Jim Wang decided to put on the event at Samo. Aiello compares this year’s concert venue to the Loew’s.

Matilde Martinez-Navarrete / The Samohi

“Being able to use this nice area as well as the Discovery rooftop lends to a really nice atmosphere,” Aiello said “Also, from what I’ve heard, the food we’re catering is better than the one served at the hotel.”

Shayl Khatod (’26), a violinist for the Symphony and Chamber Orchestra Orchestras, agrees.

“I like the concert this year better, and having it at school and using that space was really nice,” Khatod said. There aren’t many options for parents to be on campus, so it was a great option for us to all get together there.”

As everyone sat down to enjoy their three-course meal of salad, pasta and tiramisu, the orchestras began their concert. In between pieces, guests were also able to bid at a live auction. Khatod recalls his favorite part of the night.

“I really enjoyed performing in the orchestra, especially the Hebrides Overture by Mendelssohn, it’s a great piece!” Khatod said.

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