Letters: It’s important to teach children about arts.

I enjoyed the front-page story on Wednesday, “Concert series marks millionth pupil milestone” by Matthew J. Palm.

I was raised in Orlando and attended Azalea Park Elementary School in the late 1950s. In those days — third through sixth grade for me — we had “field trips.” We’d visit Tupperware, Gatorland and the old Orlando Municipal Auditorium (today known as the Bob Carr Theater) where we got our first opportunity to see and hear a concert orchestra.

I had two classmates who were into ballet and they and their moms took me to at least one ballet performance at the auditorium just so I could hear the orchestra again.

Those concerts were the highlight of my school year, and I'm glad to see that the tradition continues.

JACOB LANGSTON/ORLANDO SENTNEL Schoolchildren from throughout Orange County cheer the Orlando Philharmonic and ballet at the The Bob Carr Theater on Tuesday.