During the 2013-2014 season, Symphony Orchestra Augusta presents a series of six children’s concerts in partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute. “Link Up” pairs orchestras across the country with students in grades 3-5 at schools in their local communities to explore orchestral repertoire through a hands on music curriculum. Students participating in Link Up attend a culminating concert where they sing and play recorder or violin with the orchestra from their seats.

In 2008 (when Link Up began) Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute did some strategic planning regarding their programs. Three specific outcomes were realized from that discussion:

1. Provides support and direct services to orchestra partners across the country
2. Generates new knowledge for educators-including evaluation and assessment
3. Creates a “collegial” collaborative environment to share services and knowledge
Through this partnership, Symphony Orchestra Augusta aims to support existing education programs, strengthen their partnerships with local schools, and provide the highest quality curricula, resources, professional development, and other support.

The dates for the Discovery “Orchestra Rocks” concerts for 2014 are as follows:

Monday, February 10 and Tuesday, February 11 – Aiken – Etherredge Center – 9:30am and 11:00am – Aiken County

Wednesday, February 12 – Augusta – GRU Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre – 10:00am and 11:30am – Richmond and Columbia County

Information and materials will be distributed to participating teachers in August 2013 when the new school year begins.  For more information about the Discovery concerts, please contact Amy Montgomery, SOA Director of Education and Community Engagement at 706.826.4706.