Play On Philly

Enjoy a glimpse of Anderson Scholar and clarinetist Zakyya working with her MAYAP instructor Gi Lee and pianist Kim Barroso! Our Marian Anderson Young Artist Program (MAYAP) offers 1:1 instruction with a private instructor tuition-free. MAYAP staff matches rising musicians with an instrumental teacher based on their needs and goals. #playonphilly #risingmusician #andersonartist #mariananderson #clarinet #musiceducation #woodwind #young musician

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a month since our fall session started! Our young musicians have been filling the halls at their Music Centers with sounds of their first notes, new scales, and even the opening of the first movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony 🎶. We’re so proud of them 🤩 ! Enjoy a few snapshots of the first month of programming! #playonphilly #immersedinmusic #afterschoolprogram #ostprogram #musiceducation #musicprogram

One of the ways students and Teaching Artists at our Music Centers make sure they start the year on the right note is through creating a classroom covenant for their studio class. These covenants help to create expectations that cultivate a safe and respectful environment for making music together 🎶 📔 . #playonphilly #immersedinmusic #musiceducation #classroom #learningenvironment #afterschoolprogram

A glimpse into one of our studio classes: meet Teacher Gina and the harp studio at our Music Center at St Francis de Sales School! How cool is it to not only have four new harp players, but also an all-boy harp studio in the POP community!? #playonphilly #immersedinmusic #musiceducation #harp #youngmusicians

One of the exciting things about the start of the POP year is seeing our youngest students get introduced to the fundamentals of music through our exploratory classes at our Music Centers. Check out a video of Teacher Karena, Teacher Kennedy, and the exploratory class at our ICS West Music Center trying out a welcome song during their first week of POP! #playonphilly #immersedinmusic #musiceducation #exploratorymusic #youngmusicians #fundamentals

Just like our Music Centers, the Marian Anderson Young Artist Program (MAYAP) is also back in session! Last month, new and returning Anderson Artists and their families came together for the third annual MAYAP fall retreat. At the retreat, they focused on active listening and how to approach practicing. Our Anderson Artists also took new headshots at the retreat. This was a wonderful way to start the year on the right note for our rising musicians and we’re thrilled to see where this year takes each of them! 📸 : Sam Sirochman #playonphilly #andersonartists #risingmusicians #andersonprogram #musicprogram

Aaaand we’re back in session this week! We’re thrilled to have more than 500 students participating in our tuition-free programs this year. Here’s to another great year filled with budding artistry, community, and growth for our new and returning students! 📸 Sam Fritch #playonphilly #immersedinmusic #backtoschool #musicprogram #musiceducation #ostprogram

We held our annual Teaching Artist Kick-Off Week last week at our Music Center at Roman Catholic High School! Every year, new and returning Teaching Artists from across our Music Centers convene for a week of professional development in preparation for the start of the school year. Throughout the week, they discussed trauma-informed approaches, music education’s role in a young person’s growth, and best practices for Teaching Artists. We’re excited to see them apply what they’ve learned in the classroom this year and can’t wait to see them back in action this Monday! #playonphilly #immersedinmusic #musiceducation #teachingartists #professionaldevelopment

Here’s what else we can’t wait for this fall: the return of the POP Children’s Choir! In addition to learning an instrument, students at our K-8 Music Centers sing in the Children’s Choir throughout the year. Singing in a choir helps our young musicians find their voice, build confidence, and strengthen their musicianship. We’re excited to hear our young people sing their hearts out on stage this year! #playonphilly #immeredinmusic #musiceducation #choir #singing #youngmusicians 📸: Sam Fritch and Daniel Kontz

We’re looking forward to seeing our Anderson Artists continue to hone their musical skills this fall! The Marian Anderson Young Artist Program honors renowned contralto Marian Anderson’s legacy of mentorship for young musicians who did not have access to training or performance opportunities. Rising musicians in this program, known as Anderson Artists, are fully supported in their musical studies through private lessons, individual advisement, performance experiences, college and career counseling and more! Recent accomplishments of our Anderson Artists include acceptances with scholarships to Juilliard and Berklee School of Music, participation in intensive national music programs across the country like YOLA National Festival, the Brevard Piano Institute, and Equity Arc’s National Pathways Orchestra, and prizes at regional and national instrumental competitions. 📸 : Sam Fritch #playonphilly #risingmusicians #musiceducation #mariananderson #youngmusicians #musicalpathways #andersonartists #backtoschool