EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — The El Paso Symphony Orchestra presented its 85th annual Young People’s Concerts on Tuesday, bringing thousands of fifth-grade students from across the borderland.
Around 11,000 students are expected to attend the concert from Tuesday to Thursday, for a free musical experience.
The concerts, titled “The Orchestra Swings,” will take place from Feb. 3-5 at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Abraham Chavez Theatre.
This event is part of a collaboration with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute’s Link Up program, which has been running for 13 years.
Students will have the opportunity to sing and play instruments, such as the recorder or violin, alongside the orchestra.
Organizers say the initiative aims to introduce students to classical music and enhance their musical skills.
Speaking to KFOX14/CBS4 on Tuesday, Nathan Black, general manager of the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra, emphasized the importance of music for kids, stating, “Well, for music, recruiting them young is a big part of us, starting them in the fifth and sixth grade. And what could be better than getting the whole city’s fifth graders every single year in one room? So it’s a big honor, and every single person in this orchestra absolutely loves it.”
Ruth Ellen Jacobson, executive director of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, shared how exciting the experience can be for kids, telling KFOX14/CBS4 on Tuesday, “Oh, God, you should be here in the morning when they come in. They’re all dressed up and so excited. Of course, the Chavez Theatre is very imposing when you come in. It looks very grand, and they love the concerts. They’re interactive, and when they leave, you can just see how excited they are. Hopefully, they’ll go back and join their orchestra or band in their schools.”
She added, “Music can change your life. I’ve had people tell me they’ve come to this theatre, to these programs as a kid, and it’s changed what they wanted to be when they were adults. We want to get as many kids in El Paso to come down and experience what a symphony orchestra can sound like, and maybe they’ll join their own symphonies.”
The Young People’s Concerts have been a tradition since 1941, reaching approximately 640,000 students.
The program is supported by numerous local foundations and organizations, ensuring its accessibility to all participating students.
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