Thirty high school singers from The Chorus Project will perform at The Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro on Dec. 17 as part of a benefit concert that invites musicians of all ages to come together to support KidZNotes, the Durham-based orchestral music program for low-income students.

A 40-member chorus of KidZNotes elementary students will open the show, singing and playing their violins for several songs.

Also on the bill are special guests Chris Stamey of the dBs and Ari Picker of Lost in the Trees, who will play short acoustic sets, as well as a pair of high school bands, The Hidden Keys and The Shy Guys.

The Hidden Keys have a hip-hop, R&B feel and are made up of Durham School of the Arts students Elijah Fox, Adam Bumgardne and Daniel DeWitt.

The Shy Guys are a four-piece band that plays only originals and features Sean Neagle, Gavin Welch, Eddie Burgard and Nick Sterling, all of Chapel Hill High School.

The Chorus Project, run by local arts organizer Lauren Hodge, is made up of high school-age singers from across the Triangle, conducted by Seamus Kenney.

The evening’s entire lineup of musicians wish to support the KidZNotes program run by executive director Katie Wyatt and her team of music teachers as they continue to transform young lives through music.

KidZNotes is an El Sistema-inspired program that transforms the lives of underserved children through classical orchestral music training beginning in early childhood to combat poverty, strengthen inner-city education and foster positive decision-making to unlock the world.

KidZNotes has expanded in its third year to enroll 200 students in need at five low-income schools in Durham: Eastway, Y.E. Smith and E.K. Powe elementary schools, Maureen Joy Charter School and Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet School.

KidZNotes provides instruments and nearly 10 hours a week of free music instruction for students. KidZNotes is sponsored in part by stringed instrument manufacturer D’Addario, Duke University, Durham Public Schools, Durham Parks and Recreation and the Durham Arts Council. KidZNotes is inspired by El Sistema, the social-reform orchestra program for children and families in poverty in Venezuela.

The Chorus Project has recorded songs including “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M., “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5, “No One’s Gonna Love You” by Band Of Horses and “Wake Up” by Arcade Fire.

The group’s recording of “Everybody Hurts” drew the attention of R.E.M. itself, which posted the video of the Chorus Project’s version on the band’s website and Facebook page.

For information or to purchase tickets, visit catscradle.com.