Boise Music Week kicked off Friday night as students from the Boise School District took part in the sights and sounds of the annual gala event. More than 1,200 students sang and performed at the Taco Bell Arena with an audience of 5,000 people. The first Music Week began May 11, 1919.

“Musical arts has been the heart of the community for 97 years, especially through its annual Music Week,” said Roger Lingle, Boise School District’s coordinator of performing arts.

Performances in this year’s concert included music by the United Junior High Choir and Band, United High School Choir, Capital High’s “Capital Singers”, the Junior High Honor Orchestra, the All-City High School Jazz Band and the United High School Orchestra.

Alyssa Reichel, a senior at Capital High School, has performed all four years of high school at the gala night event. This last one for her will be the most memorial, she said.

“It’s amazing to have everyone come together from all the music departments and share a passion we all love,” Reichel said. “I will definitely miss being part of such a great night.”

Nearly 2,000 volunteers will donate more than 35,000 hours to produce Boise Music Week events to audiences of over 15,000.

“Boise has such a large music culture and this is a chance to show people what is going on in the schools,” said Samuel Ward, a senior at Capital High School. “This night really means a lot to me.”

Check out all the events taking place during the 2015 Boise Music Week by clicking here.