What are musician school visits?
They're an annual Symphony tradition — and a fun, engaging way to connect young people with the orchestra! During the past few weeks, Santa Cruz Symphony musicians have been making special trips to local elementary schools participating in our Link Up program. These professional musicians visit classrooms to demonstrate their instruments, talk about their careers in the world of music, and preview samples of the music students will hear at the Youth Concerts next week. Students have the chance to ask questions and even try out the instrument. The kids enjoy it, and so do our musicians!
What do students learn?
There's nothing quite like seeing a real, live musician in their classroom to inspire students to think about music in a whole new way. Many of these kids are at a pivotal age when they are choosing their preferred instrument to study. Interacting with a professional orchestra member helps them discover the magic of playing music, often encouraging them to become musicians themselves. The hands-on demonstration of basic music principles also enhances their understanding of the material they've been learning through the Link Up program, preparing them to fully appreciate musical performances for years to come.
How does our community benefit?
Evidence shows that music adds vibrancy to communities by creating meaningful interactions, engaging our brains, and strengthening our sense of belonging and connection with one another. By sparking curiosity in our youngest community members and fostering an early appreciation of music and the people who play it, these musician school visits help build a strong foundation for future adventures and collaborations in the arts — adding richness to the fabric of community life for all of us.
And as arts education funding becomes increasingly limited, being able to offer schools high-quality, no-cost opportunities to teach students about music is more important than ever!
See and hear what students have been learning through Link Up.
Come to our Family Concert on Sunday, March 2!
