Almost 4000 4th and 5th grade students attended this year’s Santa Cruz Symphony and Carnegie Hall Link Up Youth Concert at the Mello Center and Civic Auditorium during the week of March 11th. Students have been practicing the songs from Orchestra Moves through singing, doing movements, and playing the recorder. They have been working since October to learn selections such as The Blue Danube, Toreador from the Opera Carmen, and the theme from Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Maravilhosa.
It was truly a sight to behold, watching so many of our students actively engage in the music. Conductor Daniel Stewart and narrator, singer, and performer Omari Tau led the students through the program. During several moments, Daniel Stewart turned to the students and waved his baton in acknowledgment of their singing, choreographed movements, and lovely recorder playing.
One parent commented, “We [parents] are blown away by the performance and by our children’s enthusiasm and obvious connection to the music!”
Everyone is already looking forward to next year!