5,000 students perform with Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera for 'Link Up' showcase

The Community Center Theater was ‘swingin’ as the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera put on the Link Up Showcase. Students between grades 3-5 from all over the Sacramento region brought their recorders to an interactive concert led by Conductor Pete Nowlen and hosted by Omari Tau. The students played along to several songs, listened to some classical works and followed along during some educational music demonstrations. The concert, The Orchestra Swings, is the culmination of a music program where the students learn to sing and play orchestral repertoire through the hands-on Link Up program, and then perform along with the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera from their seats in the theater.

Mayor Steinberg pumped up the crowd to kick off the second concert of the day and despite clearly stating he has no musical inclinations even played an instrument as part of the introduction. The kazoo is really fantastic instrument for beginners!

The Link Up final concert is truly an example of arts organizations coming together to make a lasting impact. Bigger Than Us Arts, Sacramento Children’s Chorus, Sacramento State String Project, Sacrament Institute for Music & the Arts, and the Sacramento Performing Arts Conservatory all joined in with the students, the orchestra and the jazz band to play a wonderful concert.