The Meridian Symphony Orchestra has put on performances for public school students for years. But this year, that performance will be interactive thanks to a partnership with Carnegie Hall and the help of several local sponsors.

The symphony and the school music program will adapt the curriculum on Carnegie Hall’s Communities LinkUP! program, which is designed to increase students’ skills in listening, performing, and creating.

As part of the programs, children will learn songs on recorders donated by Peavey Electronics and will play along with the orchestra at MSO’s student performance at the end of the year.

“What that does is break down the barriers where they think that what’s on the stage is something they can’t do,” said MSO Artistic Director Dr. Claire Fox Hillard.

Hillard said the LinkUP! program aims to make music an integral part of a student’s academic experience in the same way as traditional subjects like math or social studies.

Peavey Electronics CEO Hartley Peavey said he is excited about the program. “Music is probably the best gift you can give your students,” he told a group of teachers Wednesday.

Lauderdale County and Meridian Public School District Superintendents Randy Hodges and Charlie Kent were also excited about the program.

Hodges said he has always wanted county schools to focus more on the arts. “If you give a child something that they have an interest in and a passion for, the chances of success are much greater,” he said.

Books and CD’s for the program will be provided by Carnegie Hall, facilities for the performance are provided by the MSU Riley Center for Education and the Performing Arts, and the Riley Foundation and the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors are providing additional sponsorship.