WHAT IS LINK UP?
Carnegie Hall's Link Up program unites students from a wide variety of backgrounds to share a valuable cultural experience. This year's theme is "The Orchestra Rocks!" Since 2018, this free program has been an essential part of Santa Cruz Symphony's educational outreach. Led by their teachers, students explore the orchestral repertoire in their classrooms through a fun, highly engaging, hands-on music curriculum. After weeks of learning, these young people enjoy an interactive performance with a professional orchestra — the Santa Cruz Symphony!
WHAT DO STUDENTS LEARN?
As a Link Up partner, Santa Cruz Symphony provides 4th and 5th grade teachers free top-notch music education materials and training, in collaboration with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. Under teacher guidance, students explore core musical concepts in specific symphonic works by listening, singing, playing the recorder, and composing. They also learn how to attend an orchestral concert and become an "expert" audience. This year's theme is "The Orchestra Rocks!" Through the Link Up repertoire, students have been discovering rhythm, pulse, and groove — becoming listeners, composers, and performers of music.
HOW DOES OUR COMMUNITY BENEFIT?
Students benefit from music education in many ways. They learn how to understand and appreciate music and to see themselves as real musicians. They have a chance to perform with a live professional orchestra, and they have the excitement of joining other students to engage with the arts. For teachers, Link Up offers access to high-quality educational tools, professional development, and a wealth of online resources, all at a time when arts education funding can be hard to find.
For the community, our Link Up program helps to form stronger connections — partnerships with schools, collaborations with local artists and arts organizations, and a deeper understanding of the importance of music in our lives. See and hear what students have been learning through Link Up. Come to our Family Concert on Sunday, March 2!