The Jazz Arts Group’s Inside Track series presents its season finale, “Raise Me Up!,” May 18-19 at the Lincoln Theatre featuring the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and the Harmony Project for a convergence of uplifting, joyous, and highly engaging music.

The Harmony Project is more than just a choir. It is a diverse collective of individuals with a dazzling array of abilities, life stories and dreams, each with a desire to serve. A stupendous, toe-tapping, model for our community, the Harmony Project embraces the motto of sing, serve, share. Established three years ago by Artistic Director David Brown, the project’s mission is to build community through the performing arts.

The rules are simple—in order to perform in the choir, members must participate in volunteer/community service activities. Singing experience is not required; the project accepts people of all skill levels and works with them to improve ability. Musical styles tackled by the choir range from pop and blues to jazz and gospel. Most choir members have no background or experience singing, but they all share a passion for music, practicing two hours every Monday night at the Bluestone (formerly the BoMA).

The choir performs several times a year for the community to sold-out crowds. Much of their concert proceeds go to philanthropies in the area that serve the underprivileged and disadvantaged. Past project donations include giving over 4,000 toys and gifts to foster children served by Franklin County Children’s Services, providing over 300 service hours and over 16,000 meals to Mid-Ohio Foodbank, and raising $10,000 for Toys for Tots.

Jazz Arts Group staff members and CJO band members will partner with the Harmony Project on a two-day service project at a Habitat for Humanity worksite, May 8 and May 9 in conjunction with the concert.

Join Jazz Arts Group, the guest musicians and your fellow concert-goers for a special post-show gathering at Yellow Brick Pizza (892 Oak Street in Olde Towne East) on Saturday, May 19, as part of the Columbus Alive / Inside Track “Think & Drink” event series. Special jazz-themed drinks and happy hour beer and wine specials will be available!

Single tickets are on sale now for $32 (orchestra) and $37 (loge) and are available by phone at 614-469-0939 and through all Ticketmaster outlets. Student tickets are also available for $15 with student ID at the door only. Showtime is 8:00 p.m. Call 614-294-5200 or click here for more information.

The Inside Track music series is presented by Sequent with ongoing support from the Ohio Arts Council, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, and the Westin Columbus. Concert sponsorship for “Raise Me Up!” is provided by Ann & Tom Hoaglin with media support from The Columbus Dispatch, Columbus Alive and WCBE 90.5 FM.