Rock stars have done it to feed the hungry in Africa, to help American farmers and to combat global warming.

Now, the Miami-Dade school district is doing it, too.

On Friday, the school system will hold its own benefit concert. The money raised from the event will go to arts and music programs throughout the district.

``This is going to be a high-end event that will showcase the very best in teacher and student talent,'' said schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.

One of the student performers, 10-year-old singer Madison Zibelli, agreed.

``It's going to be extra good, like professional,'' said Madison, who attends Miami Shores Elementary.

Tickets cost $25.

Some of the funds raised will go toward Carvalho's Cultural Passport initiative. The program enables each student in the district to attend a musical or theatrical performance or visit a museum or art gallery.

``If we care about the arts in this community, it's important that we provide children with an entitlement to visit age-appropriate. . . artistic and cultural venues,'' Carvalho said.

The benefit concert is one in a series of fundraisers for the school district's Foundation for New Education Initiatives.

Last month, the school system raised nearly $30,000 by hosting a benefit golf tournament at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa.

Carvalho is also planning to hold a triathlon and marathon, and countywide tournaments in soccer, baseball and dominoes. ``These will be opportunities for the community to come together, have a great time and make a contribution toward programs that are part and parcel to the public school system,'' he said.

The benefit concert -- the first in recent memory for the school system -- will feature a wide variety of performances, said director Robert T. Davis, the school system's supervisor for the performing arts.

Among the highlights:

Musical theater students from Miami Northwestern Senior High will perform a tribute to Michael Jackson.

A group from New World School of the Arts will replicate the opening of the Tony Awards.

And opera students from Coral Reef Senior High will perform music from The Merry Wives of Windsor.

The concert will also feature professional musicians -- and a performance from the school system's employee jazz ensemble.

``Whoever attends will have a blast,'' Davis said. ``It's great talent.''

The student performers are equally enthusiastic.

Last week, students from Miami Shores Elementary, Norma Butler Bossard Elementary and David Lawrence K-8 Center came together to rehearse for their combined choral performance.

The third-, fourth- and fifth-graders had been practicing their repertoire at their home schools for the past two months.

At the rehearsal, combined choral director Michelle Berra urged the children to sing with their eyes.

``They have been working very hard,'' she said. ``They very excited.''

Zakariya Dharamsi, an 8-year-old alto who attends Norma Butler Bossard, said he was a little bit nervous.

``I've never been in a concert before,'' he said.

But classmate Kaila Dennis, 8, said she feels ready.

``We've been practicing a lot,'' she said. ``It's actually quite fun.''