More than 100 Allentown School District students will perform a showcase of music theater, choral arts, instrumental music and dance in the annual “High Notes 2018” gala fundraiser to support Allentown School District programs.

“High Notes” begins with a catered dinner at 5:30 p.m. March 24, Miller Symphony Hall, followed at 8:30 p.m. by the show by students from each of the Allentown School District high schools and middle schools.

Also, there’s a “High Notes” 2018 Dress Rehearsal, 6 p.m. March 23, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

Allentown School District Foundation Chairperson Debora Roberson says that “High Notes” began out of a desire to have a major fundraiser for the district that was student-centered. “We thought, ‘Let’s do a student performance, with a nice dinner before it,’” she says.

Dinner, catered by Sodexo, is served in the Rodale Community Room and onstage at Miller Symphony Hall.

The event moved to Miller Symphony Hall because it outgrew its former venue.

“We also wanted the kids to perform in a real theater space,” says Roberson. “We wanted the kids to have a real professional theater experience.”

“High Notes” has grown from 30 students performing to 125 students performing in 12 performance groups, with 26 students in the orchestra pit. “We worked hard to have an all-student orchestra pit,” says Roberson.

This year’s “High Notes” theme is “One World” and celebrates diversity and togetherness.

“Allentown School District students come from 51 different countries and speak 23 different languages,” says Roberson. “We bring kids together from each school and the kids support each other. It’s really a wonderful connectedness, with all the kids on stage together.”

Proceeds from “High Notes” benefit the Allentown School District Foundation.

“We strive to even the playing field through enrichment and innovation,” says Roberson. “We want to give them opportunities that they will not normally have outside of the regular school day.”

Tickets: Miller Symphony Hall box office, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown; allentownsymphony.org; 610-432-6715; newhardv@allentownsd.org; 484-765-4121