KPBSD third through fifth grade students from Redoubt Elementary, K-Beach Elementary, Kaleidoscope School, Ninilchik, and Chapman Schools played with the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra through Link Up, a program of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute.
“One of the district’s unsung sources of pride is our elementary music programs,” said Steve Atwater, superintendent. “These concerts are a great way for the public to appreciate our music teachers’ excellent work and their students’ commitment to learning their respective instruments. The concert is also a great example of how much local support is given to the arts.”
Concerts took place Saturday, November 2, 2013, 3:00 p.m., at Kenai Central High School and Sunday, November 3, 2013, 3:00 p.m., at Homer High School.
“This year, Link Up is The Orchestra Moves. The underlying theme is how music moves, how music makes you move and how the music moves through the melodies,” said Tammy Vollum-Matturro, the director and conductor of the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra. “Last year, Link Up was such a huge success for students, orchestra members, and the community. This year we were excited to include students from Redoubt, K-Beach, Kaleidoscope, Ninilchik, and Chapman schools. The students have been exploring, singing, and playing great music such as The Blue Danube by Strauss, Nocturne by Mendelssohn, and will get to hear the orchestra perform The Marriage of Figaro Overture by Mozart and Beethoven’s Fifth. During the program, the students are on stage immersed in the orchestra sitting right next to the strings, winds and percussion. The concert included host Marc Berezin who led us in an educational concert with the help of visuals and soloists,” said Vollum-Matturro.