Kicking Things Off at Willow Grove

On Saturday, January 8, at the close of the first full week of lessons and classes at the Willow Grove Branch, the School held two performance hours. Not so unusual, as performance hours are a regular Saturday tradition at Settlement. These performance hours were special, though, because they were the first performance hours held at the new Willow Grove Branch.

The performance hour is a special part of the Settlement experience, as it gives every student the opportunity to practice the their skills in front of an audience. A more relaxed setting than a formal student recital, the performance hour is a great opportunity for students of any age and skill level.

You can see more photos from the performance hour at our Facebook page, and videos of some of the performances on our YouTube page.

But the performance hour wasn't the only thing happening at the new Branch this weekend. The School held an exclusive first look for its board members, faculty and staff. A few brave souls ventured out into the Saturday's snow to see the new facility first hand.

Leonard Mellman, pictured above with Executive Director Helen Eaton (left) and Branch Director Marsha Hogan (right), stopped by to take a look at the recital hall that bears his name.

Chair of the Central Board of Trustees, Joseph W. Waz, Jr., also dropped by, along with his wife, Ann Stookey Waz. Along their tour, they surveyed the new percussion studio. An improvement over the basement studio at the Jenkintown, faculty members have noted that students are initially distracted by the room with a view.
Haven't seen the new branch for yourself yet? Stop on by! Check the web site for hours of operation!