Students to ‘Link Up’ with LPO

ILayah Parker, 10, is a little nervous about playing her recorder at Carnegie Hall’s Link Up event.

“I just have to know what I’m doing with my fingers and the notes,” the Almor West student said after a recent rehearsal at school.

Parker is one of about 200 fourth and fifth grade students who will perform with the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra during Carnegie Hall’s “The Orchestra Swings” Link Up Jan. 31 at Eisenhower High School. The goal of the annual event is for students to learn about and perform music. Students learn to play an instrument at school and then participate with an orchestra, according to a press release.

The aim is to get elementary students familiar with music, according to Charlotte Oates, fine arts director for Lawton Public Schools. “Most will not see a philharmonic violist,” she said. “We want to make sure the kids have a good time and learn something.”

About 15 music students at Almor West have been practicing since October for the event.

“It’s a great experience. They get to play with a real orchestra,” said Kaitlynn Stevens, Almor West music teacher. “They get to get up and participate and have the experience of following a conductor on stage. It’s a really, really great experience to play with an orchestra. Some are a little nervous, but they are ready to sing and dance.”

And sing and dance they shall.

Plans call for students to perform with 54 members of the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra and dancers from Sherry’s Dance Studio. Dancers sporting feather boas and beads will flood the aisles during the song “When the Saints Go Marching In,” according to Oates.

Diashia Dumphord, 10, a student at Almor West, is looking forward to the performance; this will be her second year to participate.

“When I first got here last year, I didn’t know how to play the recorder, but it’s easier now,” Dumphord said.

Parker said she attended the event last year, but did not have the opportunity to play.

“I wanted to try a new instrument,” she said of learning to play the recorder. “I wanted to try it this year.”

Two performances of Link Up will be held Jan. 31 at Eisenhower High School, one at 11 a.m. and one at 12:30 p.m. About 2,000 fourth and fifth grade students will attend. Parents are invited, but seating is limited. Due to the performance, Eisenhower High students will have a virtual learning day.