HOUSTON -- More than 2,500 students from Hurricane Ike's hardest-hit school districts enjoyed a free concert on Wednesday.

Thousands of elementary and middle school students were taken to Jones Hall in downtown Houston to hear the Houston Symphony.

"(This is) big, fancy. I'm not used to that," student Kaylae Waybright said.

But it was not just about entertainment, reported KPRC-TV in Houston.

Houston Symphony conductor Robert Franz wants to bring classical music to their world.

"It opens up a new world for the kids. They need to open up their minds to classical music and to all the instruments that make up a symphony like ours," he said.

Some students dressed up for the occasion.

"My mom made me get dressed up. But I like classical music, so it's exciting to see how big this place is," said fifth-grader Jordan Walzer.

Many of the students lost their homes during Ike. The goal of the concert was to get them excited about music as they struggle to get back into the learning mode.

"My music teacher is a real good teacher. I really like opera and all that," Walzer said.

The Houston Symphony puts on concerts for approximately 29,000 students every year. The programs are designed to help schools meet the language arts requirements of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills Program.