Gala Benefit Concert October 14th

Sacramento --- A gala benefit concert featuring some of Sacramento's top professional performers will help bring music to Sacramento area schools.

 Offered on Sunday, October 14 at 2:00 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 5265 H Street in Sacramento, the concert will benefit the local VITA Academy Link Up music education program.

 VITA Academy introduced the Link Up Program to the Sacramento area in 2010. Offered in partnership with Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute, Link Up is a participatory general curriculum for third to fifth grade students. In class, students learn songs to sing, and to play on the recorder or violin. They then play and sing along with the VITA Symphony Orchestra in a festive and triumphant culminating concert.

 Carnegie Hall provides the curriculum and printed materials, while VITA Academy provides training to local teachers who implement the curriculum in schools and presents the culminating concert. The program and concert are offered to area schools at affordable rates. Proceeds of this benefit concert allow schools that might not otherwise be able to afford to participate to offer this valuable program to their students.

 The gala benefit event begins with a reception at 2:00 p.m with hors d'oeuvres and live music. The concert will begin at 3:00 p.m featuring VITA Artistic Director Pete Nowlen, French horn with Deborah Pittman, clarinet; Maquette Kuper, flute; Curtis Kidwell, oboe; David Wells, bassoon; Rona Commins, soprano; and Meagan Kilpatrick, piano. The charming program will feature Cuban Jazz inspired music of Paquito d'Rivera, Americana of Schickele and Loeffler, plus music of Chinese American composer, Chen Yi.

 For further information on the concert and the Link Up Program call (530) 756-7380 or visit the Vita Academy website at www.VITAAcademy.org.

Sunday, October 14, 2 pm
Central United Methodist Church, 5265 H Street, Sacramento
$30 Advance donation includes admission to reception and concert.
Admission $40 at the door.