Last Sunday our students had the opportunity to perform alongside the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra on the Mariner Theater stage. After two months of practice they sang, played recorders and had an experience of a lifetime as part of the concert “The Orchestra Sings.” The program was provided by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, which connects orchestras across the country with schools through their engaging music program, Link Up. 

The conductor of the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra, Tammy Vollom-Matturro, helped prepare our children for the concert through the Artist in Schools program as our visiting artist. This residency was made possible with funds provided by the Alaska Legislature through the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts with additional funding from the Rasmuson Foundation and the McNeil Canyon Community Council. 

The collaboration with and support from these significant organizations has provided our students, their families and friends with an amazing gift — the joy of music. We wish to thank everyone involved for their support, time, energy and the belief that this would be magical.

Debbie Piper 

For the McNeil Canyon Elementary School Staff