Carnegie Hall

• Link Up is a program created by Carnegie Hall in New York City. Students in New York City participate in concerts at Carnegie Hall, and students around the world participate at concert halls in their local neighborhoods or online.
• Read The History of Carnegie Hall (PDF).
• For The Orchestra Swings, explore the Jazz Artists at Carnegie Hall (PDF).
• Discuss important places in your neighborhood.
  • What are some of the most important places in your neighborhood?
  • Where are some places that people from your community gather?
  • What do they do in these places?
• As a group, agree on one place that might be considered the most important place in the community.
  • Like Carnegie Hall in the 1950s, imagine if this important place in your neighborhood were going to be destroyed.
  • How would you feel? How would the people in your community feel?
  • What would you and your community do to save it?
• Watch the Carnegie Hall Animated History video.
• Explore Carnegie Hall through Google Arts & Culture’s virtual reality tour.

Before the Concert

Review the complete concert repertoire for the relevant Link Up concert program with your students. Use the corresponding My Repertoire List (PDF) below to help them remember how they will be participating in each piece.

• Review the following behaviors and reminders to be prepared to be an active audience member.
  • Listen carefully to the host and conductor.
  • Play or sing when asked.
  • When playing or singing, sit up straight and at the edge of your seat.
  • Be quiet and respectful of your neighbors when you are not performing.
  • Listen actively to the music. Get into the music and feel the beat in your body.
  • Focus on the instruments. What do you hear? What do you see?
  • Applaud appropriately after each piece.

After the Concert

• Reflect on the overall concert experience.
• Encourage your students to write a letter to the orchestra, concert host, conductor, or one of the musicians and send your letters to linkup@carnegiehall.org. Below are some prompts for students to consider as they write their letter.
  • How did it feel to perform by singing and/or playing an instrument?
  • What was your favorite song and why?
  • What did you enjoy most about the Link Up concert experience?

Preparing for an in-person concert experience?