Doors 6PM
Follow the Music: A concert featuring rising artists from Oakland School for the Arts, GLIDE Memorial Church + SFJAZZ, Blue Bear School of Music, elmYouth Orchestra, and San Francisco Community Music Center. With special guests -- 49er legend and NFL Hall-of-Famer Ronnie Lott, and musical legend and Elevate Oakland co-founder Sheila E.
Presented by KALW and Community Bank of the Bay
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On Sunday, October 29th, 49er legend and NFL Hall-of-Famer Ronnie Lott, Oakland musical legend and Elevate Oakland co-founder Sheila E., and a group of industry leaders announce Follow the Music, a music education and emerging artists program developed in partnership with Elevate Oakland and leading arts, entertainment, media and sports organizations in the region.
The phrase "Follow the Music" is a call to action inspired by the Bay Area's unrivaled legacy of music and social justice. It recognizes that young people are inheriting a world facing profound challenges, and music has a unique ability to help them express themselves, and navigate the road ahead.
"Music gave the Bay Area its soul," said Sheila E. "We've been through hard times before, and music is the one tool that brings people together to imagine a different future. Together we can support the next generation."
The program kicks off October 29 (6 pm) at the Guild Theatre in Menlo Park with a concert showcasing the diversity of young artists in the Bay Area -- featuring performances by rising young artists from Oakland School for the Arts, GLIDE Memorial Church, San Francisco Community Music Center, ELM (Enriching Lives Through Music), Blue Bear School of Music, and SFJAZZ. The kickoff is presented by KALW and sponsored by Community Bank of the Bay. Here is the lineup:
- San Francisco Community Music Center will feature "Los Jefes," an Afro-Cuban Jazz band.
- Oakland School for the Arts (OSA) is proud to present a collaborative showcase of music from students in our Vocal Music and Instrumental Music arts pathways.
- Glide Memorial Church will be represented by a jazz band fronted by Miles Turk -- and also feature a collaboration with SFJAZZ Allstars Skylar Tang and Vincent Mc'Laughlin.
- Blue Bear School of Music will be showcasing rock band Satana.
- ELM (Enriching Lives Through Music) is a full scholarship, instrumental music school for children from 8-18 located in San Rafael California, and inspired by Venezuela's renowned El Sistema music program. They will feature their 40-person elmYO (ELM Youth Orchestra) ensemble.
The kickoff will be attended by Lott and other 49er alumni, and Sheila E., who will share a few words about Elevate Oakland and the importance of supporting music education. The goal of the event is to center the conversation about music education and supporting young artists in the Bay Area and beyond.
"Watching young, gifted athletes rise from being a kid to an adult is an incredible journey," said Lott. "We believe music can have the same impact on young lives, and we want to make sure that the young musicians have the same coaching and support that athletes get. We believe that we can help provide that for young people."
If you want to support young artists, or if you have young artists in your family who want to be involved, this is an event you won't want to miss.
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General Admission is standing-room only.
Mezzanine is fully reserved.
For more information please reach out to ticketing@guildtheatre.com