“The Orchestra Moves,” brought Beaufort County students into the music through Carnegie Hall’s Link Up curriculum
The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra welcomed nearly 1,600 Beaufort County students, teachers and chaperones to its annual Young Persons Concert on April 30, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head Island.
The 2024 concert, “The Orchestra Moves,” was presented through Carnegie Hall’s Link Up program and explored the many ways music can create movement, both physically and emotionally.
Held each year as part of HHSO’s youth education programming, the Young Persons Concert gives local elementary students the opportunity to experience a professional symphony orchestra in a highly interactive setting. Rather than simply listening from the audience, participating students prepare in advance to sing, move and perform along with the orchestra during the concert.
Bringing Music Education to Life
In the months leading up to the Young Persons Concert, students work with the Link Up curriculum in their classrooms, learning about orchestral music through listening, singing, movement and instrumental participation.
Those lessons come together at the annual concert, where students join Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra musicians from their seats and experience the concepts they have studied in a live performance setting.
For the 2024 program, “The Orchestra Moves” invited students to explore how composers use rhythm, melody, tempo and expression to create a sense of motion and how music itself can move listeners in different ways.
For many participating students, the Young Persons Concert is also their first opportunity to hear a professional symphony orchestra perform live.
An Annual Tradition for Beaufort County Students
The Young Persons Concert has become an important part of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra’s commitment to music education in the Lowcountry.
Each year, the program brings together professional musicians, educators, students and volunteers for a shared musical experience designed to make orchestral music approachable, engaging and participatory.
The concert is part of HHSO’s broader youth education efforts, including Music Bridges, which connects Beaufort County students with professional musicians and live musical experiences throughout the school year.
Through these programs, students have opportunities to learn about musical instruments, meet working musicians, explore musical concepts and experience performances beyond the traditional classroom environment.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Youth education remains an important part of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra’s mission.
Through the annual Young Persons Concert and other educational initiatives, HHSO works to spark musical curiosity, introduce students to the orchestra and create meaningful experiences that can foster a lifelong appreciation for music.
By inviting students to actively participate rather than simply observe, the Young Persons Concert helps transform orchestral music into something they can experience firsthand.
Thank you to our sponsors!
This enriching experience would not have been possible without the generous support from The First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head, The Bargain Box, The Music Performance Trust Fund, and the Mary Briggs Youth Foundation!
