Supporting Settlement

Settlement Music School's six branch locations are bustling with activity. Enrollment is up, and so is the demand for financial aid. This year, we anticipate distributing $2 million in assistance to students in need.

If you must contribute to the United Way at your workplace, please consider designating your gift of $25 or more to Settlement Music School (Donor ID #109). Your gift will help ensure that no one is turned away because of their limited financial resources.

Thank you for your generous and thoughtful support.

Sincerely,

Robert Capanna

Executive Director

Settlement 100 Honoree Leonard Hubbard Talks Career Post-Roots, Including Settlement's Summer Jam

Check out this great article about former Roots bassist Leonard Hubbard, where he talks about his career after leaving the band, including his stint as a Settlement Summer Jam faculty member.

Article on Okayplayer.com

Eric Owens - THIS WEEKEND

American Bass-baritone Eric Owens will return to the School that introduced him to music at age six for the second of four alumni recitals this season at Settlement Music School, the largest and one of the oldest community music school in the United States.

Owens, born in 1971, began his musical studies in the late 1980’s at Settlement’s Germantown branch taking piano first, then moved his interests to oboe as he played in area youth orchestras then to singing when he enrolled at Temple University. In 2007, he was named a Settlement 100 Honoree, which, in honor of the School’s recent Centennial year, is a roster of 100 eclectic, diverse and unexpected individuals whose experiences at Settlement Music School helped shape their lives. Owen’s performance on Sunday will be preceded the day before by a masterclass with selected Settlement voice students. The public is invited to attend as audience and questions are welcome. Singers, voice students and their parents are encouraged to attend.

The concert will take place this Sunday (March 22, 2009) at 3:00 pm at the Mary Louise Curtis Branch. Tickets are $20, free for students and faculty.

Half Price Tickets for Vox Ama Deus Event!!!

Vox Ama Deus is doing the magnificent Handel: Judas Maccabeus this Friday 2/27/2009, 8 PM at the Kimmel Center Perelman Theater.

This work is often termed "the other Messiah" and features the talents of Ama Deus Ensemble under the baton of Maestro Valentin Radu. Superb vocal soloist, authentic baroque instrument orchestra, 40 member chorus complimented by 24 youth members of the Bryn Mawr Boychoir and Girlchoir, not to be missed!

Special ticket offer: go to KimmelCenter.org or call 215-893-1999 and mention the promo code: PATRON for half price tickets!!

(For group rates of 10 or more or to get more information go to VoxAmaDeus.org or call 610-688-2800)

This weekend at Settlement (1/31-2/1)

Looking for something to do this weekend? Look no further than your local Settlement branch!

Saturday, January 31, 2009 there will be performance hours at 10 am at the Mary Louise Curtis and West Philadelphia Branches.

Not a fan of football? Dread all the pre-superbowl festivities? Come to our Winter Orchestra Festival at the Mary Louise Curtis Branch this Sunday, February 1 at 3:00.

Clip from Settlement Jazz All Star Recital

Here is a clip from the Settlement Jazz All Star Recital featuring Dave Posmontier.

Masterclasses this weekend/week!

Two distinguished artists will be giving masterclasses at the Mary Louis Curtis Branch - violinist Pamela Frank and pianist Lydia Artymiw.

This Saturday, January 10, 2009 - Pamela Frank's masterclass will be from 1 to 3 in PNC Bank* Presser Hall.

On Monday, January 12, 2009 - Lydia Artymiw's masterclass will be from 4:00 to 6:00 in PNC Bank*Presser Hall.

For more information:

Pamela Frank's website
Lydia Artymiw's website
Direction to the Mary Louis Curtis Branch


The masterclasses are free and open to the public. Both events are sponsored by the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society.

Knowlton Leadership Program

The Knowlton Leadership Program will present a workshop, "How to Choose the Music School That Is Right For You" on Sunday, January 25, 2009 at 2:00 at the Mary Louise Curtis Branch.

Kristi Morgridge, former Settlement Music School staff and alumnae and currently the Associate Director of Recruitment and Financial Aid at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance, will be the featured speaker.

For more information please contact:
Kyle Bartlett
215-320-2693
kbartlett@smsmusic.org

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Welcome back. Lessons resumed last Friday (1/5/2009). Stay tuned to the blog for updates and event postings.

Support the arts this week!

Now that you’ve finished your gift shopping, what are you going to do?

Below is a list of some concerts, recitals and other events happening in Philadelphia this week. Support the ARTS!


Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Electri-City Lighting Event Wednesday, December 17
Broad Street - Downtown PhiladelphiaPresented by Center City District
FREE!
http://www.centercityphila.org/

Jars of Clay “Love Came Down at Christmas” Wednesday, December 17
Keswick TheatrePresented by BRE Presents
$39.50
Call 215-572-7650 to order
http://www.keswicktheatre.com/

Philadelphia Orchestra Presents FREE Community Holiday Concert Wednesday, December 17
Martin Luther King High School, 7:30 pm

Winter Wonderland Pajama Storytime Wednesday, December 17
Free Library of Philadelphia - Parkway Central Library
Presented by Free Library of Philadelphia
FREE!
http://libwww.library.phila.gov/branches/branch.cfm?loc=CEN


Thursday, December 18, 2008

Christmas Jazz with Eric Mintel Thursday, December 18
Crossing Vineyards and Winery
$45
Call 215-493-6500 x19 to order
http://www.crossingvineyards.com/events/


Friday, December 19, 2008

The Nutcracker, Friday, December 19
Mary Louise Curtis Branch of Settlement Music School
7 PM, FREE
http://www.smsmusic.org/branches/mlc.php?t=1

Nouvelle, Nouvelle! Christmas in Renaissance France Friday, December 19
Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill
Presented by Piffaro, the Renaissance Band
$15-$35
Call 215-235-8469 to order
http://piffaro.org/concerts/

A Christmas Carol Friday, December 19
Upper Darby Performing Arts Center
Presented by Upper Darby Performing Arts Center
$4-$8
Call 610-622-1189 to order
http://www.udpac.org/


Saturday, December 20, 2008

Student Performance Hour, Saturday, December 20
Mary Louise Curtis Branch of Settlement Music School
10 AM, FREE
http://www.smsmusic.org/branches/mlc.php?t=1

Tuba Christmas Saturday, December 20
Kimmel Center - Commonwealth Plaza
FREE! Call 215-893-1999 to order
http://www.kimmelcenter.org/events/plaza.php

Amahl and the Night Visitors Saturday, December 20
Roxborough High SchoolPresented by Delaware Valley Opera Company
$15-$20 Call 215-725-4171 to order
http://www.dvopera.org/index.htm


Sunday, December 21, 2008

Ballet Open House, Sunday, December 21
West Philadelphia Branch of Settlement Music School
2 PM, FREE
http://www.smsmusic.org/branches/westphila.php?t=5

Advent Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 21st at 5:00 p.m
Philadelphia Cathedral, 3723 Chestnut Street
http://www.philadelphiacathedral.org/content/view/22/82/

Winter Tidings: A Solstice Showcase Sunday, December 21
World Café Live
Call 215-222-1400 to order
http://tickets.worldcafelive.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=2784


Next Week

Ballet Open House and Performance, Monday, December 22
Camden Musical Arts Branch of Settlement Music School
Open Classes 4:30 - 6:00
Performance 6:00PM, FREE
http://www.smsmusic.org/branches/camden.php?t=6

Klezmas Eve and Cantonese Wednesday, December 24
Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel
$0-$18
http://www.bzbi.org/calendar.php

The Moo Shu Jew Show Wednesday, December 24
Ocean City Restaurant
Presented by Gershman Y
$55-$65
http://www.gershmany.org/viewprogram.php?id=18

Tis the Season to Eat Gingerbread Monday, December 22 through Monday, December 29
National Constitution Center
FREE! Call 215-409-6647 to order
http://constitutioncenter.org/ncc_calen_Landing.aspx?code=3024


Multiple Performances

The Glorious Sound of Christmas Thursday, December 18 through Saturday, December 20
Kimmel Center - Verizon Hall
Presented by Philadelphia Orchestra and The Philadelphia Singers Chorale
$34-$105 Call 215-893-1999 to order
http://www.philorch.org/

Baroque Christmas Saturday and Sunday, December 20, 21
St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Chestnut Hill
Presented by Vox Ama Deus
$10-$25 Call 610-688-2800 to order
http://www.voxamadeus.org/

A Christmas Carol Through Saturday, December 20
Walnut Street Theatre Presented by Walnut Street Theatre
$5-$15 Call 215-574-3550 to order
http://www.walnutstreettheatre.org/season/carol08.php

The Santaland Diaries Through Friday, December 19
Adrienne Theater - Second Stage
Presented by Flashpoint Theatre Company
$10-$15 Call 215-665-9720 to order
http://www.flashpointtheatre.org/0809season_MS4.html

Holidays In The Square Through Saturday, December 20
Franklin SquarePresented by Historic Philadelphia, Inc.
FREE!
http://historicphiladelphia.org/index.php

Christmas Village in Philadelphia Through Wednesday, December 24
Dilworth Plaza
FREE!
http://www.philachristmas.com/28-0-About.html

Holiday Concerts Through Wednesday, December 31
Independence Visitor Center
FREE!
http://www.independencevisitorcenter.com/

Parkway Picks Holiday Through Wednesday, December 31
Benjamin Franklin Parkway Presented by Parkway Council Foundation
http://www.parkwaycouncilfoundation.org/pdfs/ParkwayPicksHoliday2008.pdf

It's a Wonderful Life! A Live Radio Play Through Sunday, December 21
Prince Music Theater
$35-$45 Call 215-569-9700 to order
http://www.princemusictheater.org/

Holiday POPS! Through Saturday, December 20
Kimmel Center - Verizon Hall
Presented by Peter Nero and the Philly Pops
$27-$104 Call 215-893-1999 to order
http://www.phillypops.org/

Manayunk's Classic Holiday on Main Festival Through Sunday, December 21
Main Street - Manayunk Presented by Manayunk Development Corporation
FREE!
http://manayunk.com/

The Eight: Reindeer Monologues Through Wednesday, December 31
Society Hill Playhouse
$21 Call 215-923-0210 to order
http://www.societyhillplayhouse.org/redroomsoon.html

Carols in Color Thursday, December 18 through Sunday, December 21
New Freedom Theatre
Presented by Eleone Dance Theatre
$24-$27 Call 215-569-9700 to order
http://eleonedance.org/chistory.htm