Settlement Is Proud to be Part of GivePhilly.org

I am happy to announce the launch of Give Philly, a new partnership of Philadelphia’s leading youth development and family service organizations.

We have joined together to share resources, ideas and best practices and to encourage support of keystone organizations that provide needed services and programs to more than 370,000 children, adults and families right here in our city and our neighborhoods.

Partners in the newly formed Give Philly initiative include:
• Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia
• Cradle of Liberty Council Boy Scouts of America
• The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia
• Settlement Music School
• Travelers Aid Family Services of Philadelphia
• United Cerebral Palsy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, and
• YMCA of Philadelphia and Vicinity.

Thanks to a special partnership with The Philadelphia Foundation, 100% of Give Philly donations directly benefit the member organizations.

Please visit us at www.givephilly.org to learn more about the partnership and how you can help.

Very best wishes,
Robert Capanna
Executive Director

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.