Thousands of Maryland students“ swing by” the Meyerhoff for Midweek Concerts
Jazz takes center stage this February in The Orchestra Swings, a Carnegie Hall Link Up program designed for elementary school students.
ABOVE: School buses line up outside of the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall for the BSO’ s 2025 Link Up concert, The Orchestra Sings. LEFT: Students dance and sing from their seats in the Meyerhoff.
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will welcome 6,000 students from across the State of Maryland to the Meyerhoff on February 18 and 19 for The Orchestra Swings, a Carnegie Hall Link Up concert exploring the fusion of jazz and orchestral music.
The BSO launched the first installment of the Link Up series last season, with The Orchestra Sings. The program focused on the universal elements of music, including melody, rhythm, and instrumental techniques. This year’ s concerts, led by former Associate Conductor Jonathan Taylor Rush, build upon those lessons, with students developing an understanding of jazz’ s history, cultural significance, and rhythmic foundations.
To further bring the genre to life, participating students will experience the Peabody Jazz Ensemble and renowned trumpeter and Chair of the Peabody Jazz Department, Sean Jones, who will all join the BSO onstage.
“ This is my first time participating in a Link Up concert, and I’ m excited to see it unfold,” Nana Vaughn, BSO education advisor said.“ This shared educational experience fosters a sense of community, excitement, and confidence in students’ musical journeys. It is truly a statewide celebration of music education.”
Participating students, all of whom are third to fifth graders, and their teachers
Cromwell Valley Elementary’ s Recorder Club demonstrates instrumental techniques onstage at last season’ s Link Up concert. This year, students from Reisterstown Elementary’ s After-School Recorder Club will join the BSO onstage.
have been preparing for Link Up since last fall. Music educators received a Link Up curriculum and training sessions to help make the most of their students’ concert experience.
Soprano recorders are also provided to all participating schools— a wonderful way to build a school’ s instrument inventory long after the Link Up program concludes.
A select group has been working especially hard for the February concerts. The after-school recorder club at Reisterstown Elementary, led by Vocal Music Teacher Deborah Feldman, will serve as the on-stage demonstration group for The Orchestra Swings, placing students centerstage during the concerts.
“ As a teacher at a Title I school in Baltimore County, I am grateful that
my students have the opportunity to experience concerts performed by a world-class orchestra,” Feldman said.“ Opportunities like these inspire my students to see themselves as musicians, building confidence and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.”
The students’ and teachers’ months of preparation will soon pay off, as thousands come together to experience the joy of music-making.
“ This is going to be an unforgettable experience, and we look forward to continuing to bring these transformative experiences to Maryland students.” Vaughn said.
The BSO Link Up series continues in 2027 with The Orchestra Rocks.
READ MORE ABOUT OUR FIRST MIDWEEK CONCERTS OF THE SEASON IN BALTIMORE FISHBOWL!
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