Settlement Music School

A Holiday Tradition

2011-12-12T13:16:00.004-05:00

What better way to ring in the holidays than with a performance of a time-honored classic? Sure, you've been listening to music by Bing, Andy and Karen for a few weeks now, but you can really get yourself into the right spirit by attending one of Settlement's four performances of The Nutcracker.

With beautiful costumes, a heartwarming story, and talented young performers from across the Philadelphia region, it's a great opportunity to see how much fun dance at Settlement can be. Our dance faculty--Olga Blumenkrantz at the Kardon-Northeast Branch and Kaye Fernandez at the Mary Louise Curtis, West Philadelphia and Camden Branches--have done a terrific job of adapting The Nutcracker for our smaller stages and dancers.

Settlement's dance students have put a lot of hard work into this year's performances. One of the best parts about attending The Nutcracker year after year? Watching the dancers move from role to role. Last year's polichinelle could be this year's Marie. A marzipan from a few years ago might now be the Sugar Plum Fairy. These holiday performances really showcase the progression and increasing skill of these young performers.

Dates and times for the performances are as follows:

Saturday, December 17, 11 AM, Kardon-Northeast Branch
Sunday, December 18, 3 PM, Mary Louise Curtis Branch
Monday, December 19, 6 PM, Camden Branch
Wednesday, December 21, 6 PM, West Philadelphia Branch

Many thanks to West Philadelphia Branch board member Sean Kardon for taking these pictures at the Mary Louise Curtis Nutcracker rehearsal last week. You can see more pictures on our Facebook page!

Settlement Visits the National Guild for Community Arts Education Conference

2011-11-18T09:18:00.004-05:00

Last week, West Philadelphia Branch Director Carolyn Fitzgerald attended the National Guild for Community Arts Education Annual Conference. Today, we turn the blog over to her for a summary of the event. Take it away, Carolyn!

There is something magical about being in the same place with people who share your passion. Some people may believe that being with like-minded people limits you, but not when you are with the members of the National Guild for Community Arts Education. The Guild hosted its annual conference in Boston from November 10-12, and offered pre-conference workshops the day before. I was fortunate enough to attend both the full conference and a pre-conference Engaging Adolescents Institute.

The view over Boston

This was my first experience with the National Guild conference, and the experience sent me back to the West Philadelphia Branch with a head full of inspiration, new ideas and viewpoints. The Engaging Adolescents Institute was by far my favorite day of the conference. From 9:30 am through 4:30 pm, members of the Guild discussed, debated and examined the Engaging Adolescents Initiative that the organization researched and published in 2010 (which is available free of charge here ).

The Guild invited youth scholars from Boston’s Hyde Square Task Force to facilitate parts of the discussion and actively advise the professionals in the room about what attracts and keeps teens in programs. Presentations from model programs were given by San Antonio’s SAY Si, Detroit’s Mosaic Youth Theatre, and Brooklyn’s Ifetayo Cultural Arts. Each organization has a different strategy for recruiting and retaining teens in their communities and offered valuable guidance and advice to the institutions gathered.

The formal conference kicked off bright and early Thursday morning with introductions by Guild staff and board. This was the largest conference in the Guild’s history! The keynote speaker was Will Power—actor, playwright, and hip-hop artist—who both performed for the opening breakfast and spoke about engaging today’s teens. His speech set the tone for conference – one of being open to dialogue and change.

I attended two luncheons, one with the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Guild where I met organizations from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C. Philadelphia was well-represented with members from Settlement (of course!), Temple Music Preparatory, Mural Arts, Fleischer Art Memorial, Walnut Street Theatre, University City Arts League and many more.

Another highlight of the conference was attending Jazz at Lincoln Center’s presentation on Arts for Life: Marrying Skills-Based and Aesthetic Education Practices. As many students at the West Philadelphia Branch know, I am a huge jazzhead and a big fan of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s programming. Joanna Massey, Eli Yamin, and LaFrae Sci created a wonderful, informative and interactive presentation. They demonstrated the teaching methods that the Middle School Jazz Academy has had success in implementing and had all of us singing, improvising and harmonizing Wade in the Water.

Drum Circle at South Shore Conservatory

My final day, Saturday, was spent visiting the South Shore Conservatory and attending the Annual Guild Luncheon. Jane Golden of Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program was one of the honorees at the luncheon. Jane gave a powerful speech on the power of arts to enact true, positive change in the community. Her program is a testament to arts education that has changed the landscape of Philadelphia. As a resident of Philadelphia, I am thankful I get to view the gorgeous murals her program creates.

A choir performs at the Annual Guild Luncheon

The Guild demonstrates that learning in the arts can be a life-long process. It provides wonderful learning opportunities for its members by holding this conference and various institutes throughout the year. I can’t wait for, and hope I have the opportunity to attend, next year’s conference in Dallas, Texas.

The Myriad Talents of Settlement Faculty on Display

2011-10-24T13:37:00.002-04:00

If you missed the Karin Fuller Capanna Faculty Recital on October 16, then you're in luck, because we've made portions of it available on our YouTube channel.

Among the pieces you can see there are two compositions by Settlement faculty members. Roberto Pace, the Robert Capanna Fundamentals of Music Distinguished Faculty Chair, teaches both piano and theory at Settlement, and composed a piece titled Quartet for Piano and Strings. Originally commissioned for the Benjamin and Carol Auger Contemporary Music Advanced Study Ensemble by the group's namesake, the piece was performed in its entirety for the first time at this concert.

Closing the recital, the School featured a piece by Michael Djupstrom, perhaps not coincidentally also a piano and theory instructor, titled Daydreams and Night Visions.

Keep your eye on our YouTube channel, and mark it as one of your favorites, because we've got plans to add much more content in the coming months. Interested in seeing something specific about our programs? Let us know in comments here or on our Facebook page, where you can also find pictures from the faculty recital.

Marching to the Beat of a Very Big Drum

2011-09-28T15:20:00.008-04:00

As a few of you may already know, there's a vibrant community of Taiko drummers in Philadelphia, and Settlement is a big part of it. And if you don't know what we're talking about? Taiko is a traditional Japanese drumming that uses specially designed drums and incorporates stylized movement into each performance.

Need a visual? Check out members of Settlement's Taiko ensemble in action at last year's Philly Fashion Week.

That's Taiko teacher (and new Mary Louise Curtis Branch Director) Kris Rudzinski leading off the performance. If you like what you see, being a part of it has never been easier.

Just this week, we announced a series of 5-week Taiko classes at our West Philadelphia Branch on Wynnefield Avenue. You can see the full offerings here.

These classes start October 3, but there's still time to get involved. If you have any questions, call our West Philadelphia Branch for details at 215-320-2640 or leave a comment below!

PA First Lady Susan Corbett Visits Settlement

2011-06-06T20:46:00.005-04:00

Pennsylvania First Lady Susan Corbett, Chair of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, stopped by Settlement's Mary Louise Curtis Branch on June 2 to take a tour of the Kaleidoscope Preschool Arts Enrichment Program. Along with Executive Director Helen Eaton, Early Childhood Program Director Tarrell Davis, and West Chester University professor Dr. Eleanor Brown, Mrs. Corbett watched a performance, sat in on dance and art classes, and participated in a music class.

Here, Mrs. Corbett and the aforementioned group took in a dance class.

She really got into the spirit of the music class!
One of the great advantages of the Kaleidoscope program is that through its arts-focused curriculum, students enter kindergarten more prepared than children in traditional preschool programs. Dr. Brown's study found that students from Kaleidoscope had vocabulary scores three times higher than their peers from traditional programs.

Later, the Kaleidoscope students presented Mrs. Corbett with a banner celebrating her visit.

For more photos from the event, check out our Facebook page!

Settlement's 103rd Anniversary Gala Featured in Philadelphia Inquirer

2011-04-20T09:39:00.002-04:00

Philadelphia has a busy social calendar this time of year, and the School's 103rd Anniversary Gala happens right in the thick of it. The Gala, along with the first-ever Luxury Raffle, was a great success, and our guests danced long into the night.

If you pick up today's Philadelphia Inquirer, you can see a few of the Gala attendees on the Social Circuit page. And if you're impatient, you can see them online, right now, by clicking here.

Of course, if you 'like' Settlement on Facebook, you've already seen a wide array of photos from the event. You do like Settlement on Facebook, don't you? Don't miss out! Visit our page and hit the Like button today!

While you're there, take a look at photos from a recent collaboration between our Gleeksman-Kohn Children's Choir and the Chicago Children's Choir.

Advanced Study Ensembles Hit the Stage

2011-03-10T22:24:00.002-05:00

In case you missed it, our Advanced Study Ensembles performed this past Sunday, March 6. As always, the students did not disappoint; it was a rousing evening of classical and modern music.

As is our custom lately, we've posted video of the concert on our YouTube channel. Each of the Advanced Study groups is represented, so take a look and let us know what you think in the comments section of each video.

And don't forget to check out the gallery of photos from the concert on our Facebook page.

If you're following us on Twitter, you'd have all this info already, since we tweeted the photos as they were taken, and we tweeted the videos as they were uploaded. Useful thing, Twitter. Take a second and follow us, if you haven't already.

Settlement Music School is Closed Today, Thursday, January 27

2011-01-27T06:20:00.002-05:00

Due to last night's snowstorm, Settlement Music School will again be closed for lessons and classes today, Thursday, January 27.

Updates will be posted on the Settlement website, www.smsmusic.org, on the recorded messages at each branch, and on KYW. The Philadelphia emergency closing number 154 applies to all branches.

We anticipate opening as usual on Friday, January 28, but check the sources listed above to find out for sure.

Settlement is Closed Today, Wednesday, January 26

2011-01-26T11:57:00.002-05:00

Due to the current snowstorm, Settlement Music School will be closed for lessons and classes today, Wednesday, January 26.

Updates will be posted on the Settlement website, www.smsmusic.org, on the recorded messages at each branch, and on KYW. The Philadelphia emergency closing number 154 applies to all branches.

All of these sources will be updated as soon as possible on Thursday morning to let you know the status of the School.

Thanks, and stay warm!

Kicking Things Off at Willow Grove

2011-01-10T09:26:00.006-05:00

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!

An Annual Tradition: Settlement's Scenes from The Nutcracker

2010-12-17T15:39:00.005-05:00

Every year Settlement dance students perform scenes from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, and this year is no exception. This year brings two free opportunities to enjoy the holiday piece, with a performance at the Kardon-Northeast Branch on Saturday, December 18 at 11am, and a performance at the Mary Louise Curtis Branch on Sunday, December 19 at 3pm.

The performance at our Kardon-Northeast Branch features choreography by dance faculty and Settlement 100 honoree Olga Blumenkrantz, while the Mary Louise Curtis Branch performance is choreographed by dance faculty Kaye Fernandez.

These photos were taken at a dress rehearsal at the Mary Louise Curtis Branch earlier this week by West Philadelphia Branch Board Member Sean Kardon. For more photos, check out our Facebook page.

Irvin Kersher (1923-2010), Director and Settlement 100 Honoree

2010-11-29T12:10:00.003-05:00

Irvin Kershner, director of classic sci-fi films The Empire Strikes Back and Robocop II and James Bond film Never Say Never Again, passed away earlier today. Settlement honored Kershner back in 2006 as part of the School's Settlement 100, a roster of diverse individuals whose time at Settlement Music School helped shape their lives.

Below is an excerpt from a profile on Kershner in the Fall 2006 edition of Settlement's Notes newsletter.

Millions know him as the man who directed what is widely considered to be the best of the Star Wars movies - The Empire Strikes Back. And while Irvin Kershner, who studied violin, viola (as suggested by “headmaster” Johan Grolle) and composition at Settlement Music School, is best known as a movie man (he’s directed Connery, Woodward, George C. Scott, Streisand, Dunaway and Richard Harris among others), he has done a little bit of everything and he credits it all to his first exposure to the arts at Settlement. First, he wanted to be a composer, but World War II broke out. When he came back after 3 years as a fighter bomber, he studied visual arts at Tyler School of the Arts at Temple, then to NYC, then to Provincetown where he studied with Jackson Pollack. After that, Kershner accepted a job as a still photographer on a State Department film project in Iran which ultimately led to an assignment as a director and cinematographer of documentaries in Iran, Greece, and Turkey with the Unites States Information Service. Later, as a film teacher at USC he met a student named George Lucas and the rest, as they say, is history.

One of “Kersh’s” most memorable Settlement Music School experiences came when he was 10 years old, nervously awaiting his student recital. In the second row was Albert Einstein, then a board member of the School, smiling. “I was sweating, shaking. He was the most famous man in the world and I played for him. Afterward he told me how good I was — which wasn’t true. But I got through it.”

Kershner attended the School's 98th Anniversary Gala, and continued to speak well of his time here. Here he is pictured with fellow Settlement 100 honoree opera singer and vocal coach Badiene Magaziner.

How You Can Support Settlement and Local Music

2010-11-02T14:20:00.006-04:00

Around these parts, we like to talk about how many people have been influenced by their time at Settlement Music School. When you've been around for more than 100 years, you're bound to have some kind of effect on your community. We hope that our Settlement 100 project a few years ago showed just how influential the School has been in Philadelphia.

But part of the reason we've been able to have such an impact is because of where we are. Philadelphia is a musical town. And not just classical and jazz, either, although the city is no slouch in that department. From American Bandstand to The Sound of Philadelphia, Will Smith to The Roots, Chubby Checker to Hall & Oates, Frankie Avalon to The Hooters, tons of great music has come out of this city.

David Uosikkinen, drummer from The Hooters, is celebrating that musical history with a project he's called In the Pocket: Essential Songs of Philadelphia. He's put together a revolving lineup of local musical talent, and is revisiting songs recorded in Philadelphia or written and performed by Philadelphians.

And the best part is that proceeds from the sale of these recordings come back here to Settlement Music School, supporting the kinds of programs that make Philadelphia's music scene the vibrant thing that it is today.

Dave was recently featured on CBS 3's Talk Philly, talking about the project and Settlement. Click here to see the video.

For more info on In the Pocket, and to purchase check out: http://songsinthepocket.org/

Everything but the Bathroom Sink. (Actually, we're working on that, too.)

2010-10-01T14:36:00.009-04:00

There's been a great deal of progress on the Willow Grove Branch in the last 30 days. A quick perusal of the September photo album on our Facebook page shows all the changes inside and out. For instance, 30 days ago, we didn't have much of a parking lot. Now, we not only have a beautifully paved lot, we have landscaping!
Incidentally, if you ever wanted to know how to plant an entire lot full of trees quickly, here's a hint: Mechanical Assistance.
An auger attached to a Bobcat will make quick work of just about any landscaping project.

Inside the building, contractors are working on multiple fronts. Although the plumbing isn't quite in place yet, we do have counter tops in the bathrooms.
This next picture represents just how plans can change from the architectural drawings to the finished product. This stairwell between the first and second floors originally was envisioned as an open air space (with railings, of course), but once the stairs were in place, we discovered that fire codes required that it be completely enclosed by a wall and a door. Thus, a wall was built and a glass vestibule was designed to keep things up to code while still maintaining an attractive open-looking space.
Finally, work has begun on the actual stage (the Monroe Levin & Cameron McGraw Stage, to be specific). Looks pretty sturdy, doesn't it? It won't be too long, and we'll have a few dozen choir kids, a grand piano, and some dancers on hand to test it out.

A Sky High Welcome for Settlement's New Executive Director

2010-09-21T09:52:00.009-04:00

Last week Settlement's new Executive Director, Helen Eaton, was welcomed by the Philadelphia community at a reception on the 43rd floor of the Comcast Center. Settlement Music School board members, donors, faculty, Settlement 100 honorees, staff and students were all on hand to ensure the event was a lively one.

Joe Waz, Chair of the School's Central Board, greeted the gathered guests, and introduced the new Executive director.

For her part, Helen shared her enthusiasm for her new role, and thanked the crowd for the warm reception. She also acknowledged that her arrival in Philadelphia is a homecoming of sorts, since she graduated from Penn, her mother and father grew up in the area, and her grandfather, Thomas McBride, was a prominent defense lawyer and Philadelphia attorney general for a time.

The new director and her husband, violinist Guillaume Combet, stopped for a photo with Settlement 100 Honoree Beth Haas, and Chair of Settlement's Development Committee, Steven Haas.

Recent Settlement alumni Peter Dugan, keyboard, and Michael Dahlberg, cello, were on hand to provide the evening's entertainment. Of particular note, Peter and Michael, who attend Juilliard and the New England Conservatory respectively, between them have more than 25 years training at Settlement Music School.

Included in the guest list, as mentioned above, were a number of the Settlement 100. (If you'd like to see a full list, click here.) A few of them were even kind enough to stop for a picture with the new executive director.
From left to right, new Settlement Music School Executive Director Helen Eaton, real estate entrepreneur Leonard Mellman, mezzo-soprano Florence Quivar, attorney and founder of the Young Friends of Settlement Music School Beth Haas, retired English teacher and Jenkintown board member Fredda Levin Segal, founder of radio empire Entercom Joseph M. Field, and bass player and founding member of hip-hop group The Roots Leonard Nelson Hubbard.

Views from all Over (The Willow Grove Branch)

2010-09-02T16:38:00.005-04:00

Work at the Willow Grove Branch has continued on multiple fronts over the last several weeks. Now that the building has a roof, walls, windows and a facade, workers are moving forward with projects all over the property.

Sidewalks, curbs, driveway aprons are getting attention just off Davisville Road. The parking lot at the rear of the property has an edged area for landscaping, and in the shot from the roof of the building, you can see the newly completed storage shed.

On the interior of the building, soundproofing and insulation has made its way into the walls of the recital hall. Soundproofing is a significant challenge in the construction of a music building. While it's great to hear the strains of an aria waft through an open window of a second floor studio while you drive by the branch, it's another thing entirely for a student practicing her oboe to hear the same sound traveling through interior air ducts.
And file this next picture next to the nifty machines we showed you a few months ago. The main purpose of this roving robot (and it is remote controlled) is to tamp down earth and stone ahead of pouring concrete. It's basically a really heavy RC car, although it sort of looks like tiny version of something out of Star Wars.
As always, more photos from this month are available on Facebook. And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to leave them in the comments.

Camden Branch Summer Camp Takes a Bow

2010-08-26T11:52:00.002-04:00

The Camden School of Musical Arts Branch featured the final performance of its annual Summer Music Theater Camp a few weeks ago, and the video is really worth a look. Students at the Camp wrote and performed their own show incorporating songs from the Disney songbook.

For three hours every day for a month, these students ran vocal exercises, learned dance moves and performance techniques, and eventually put together a wide-ranging show featuring songs new and old. They even wrote a few commercials for Campbells Soup, whose foundation provided principal funding for the camp.

More videos from their performance and the rest of Settlement Music School's summer camps can be found on Settlement's YouTube Channel.

If you're interested in learning more about the Camden Branch of Settlement Music School, a Back to School Open House will be held on the first day of classes, September 20, from 4pm-7pm. Prospective students and parents can talk to faculty about instruments, participate in a Children's Music Workshop or dance class, and listen and sing along with with the Gleeksman-Kohn Children’s Choir. If you're already planning to attend, bring a friend, or share the event on Facebook.

As Summer Winds Down, So Does Summer Camp

2010-08-19T09:54:00.002-04:00

Just before the School shut down for Summer Break, a few of the Summer Camps had their final performances. In fact, a few of the camps finished up on the same day. We had folks running all over the place trying to snap cool pictures and take some video we could share.

At the Kardon-Northeast Branch, Jen Halas, one of our branch board members, managed to get some great video of a few of the performances.

We've been posting a lot of videos from the Summer programs at Settlement, and hope you take the time to peruse the Settlement YouTube channel. If you follow us on Twitter, we'll send you updates each time we add video.

Here's another one:

You can find more video from Summer Guitar Camp on our YouTube channel.

Pillars, Pianos and Patios

2010-08-06T16:03:00.005-04:00

Just before the school closes for the summer break, we've got pictures fresh from the camera of our facilities manager, Bob Giannone. The builders have finished the brick facade, windows are being installed, and a front entrance is taking shape.As we've noted before, this front entrance is actually at the rear of the building, if you're looking at the structure from Davisville road.

From street side of the building, we've just finished the support columns for the walk-in gate that sits to the left of the branch. There will be a wrought iron fence that wraps the property, with a drive-in gate just to the left of these pillars.
With the outside of the building coming rapidly together, planning for the interior of building has become a priority. Before the branch opens, we'll be introducing 34 pianos and a harpsichord to the space. Heading up this endeavor is Art Jones, our piano technician. Yesterday, he and Jenkintown Branch Director Marsha Hogan visited the Willow Grove site to get a jump on piano planning.Here, they're viewing the layout of the second and third floor studios to figure out what goes where.

The School's summer break starts today and ends August 16. But while the School may be closed for a week, work on the Willow Grove Branch will continue unabated. For more photos, including the beginnings of the recital hall patio and cranes delivering drywall to the third floor, check out the School's Facebook page.

Skylight Serenade

2010-08-03T10:10:00.008-04:00

With its new brick facade, the Willow Grove Branch not only looks a lot more like a building, it's actually kind of pretty. Not that raw construction doesn't look good, per se, but you can see now the promise of the architectural drawings we've been looking at for a while. Just try to see past all the dirt and construction equipment, and there's a quite attractive building underneath.

And if that wasn't enough, take a look at what's just been installed on the roof of the building:
Not the HVAC unit. The skylight in front of it. There you go. Not to discount the beauty of a properly installed heating and air conditioning system, but the skylight probably has it beat in terms of pure aesthetics. Here it is from another angle:

And the view from the dance studio? Pretty spectacular, especially on a day as beautiful as the one on which this picture was taken. The skylight is centered right above the dance studio floor.

More pictures of the construction can be found on our Facebook page, including some shots of the acid wash used on the brick facade, and a closer look at that HVAC unit.

Summer Jam Closes on a High Note

2010-07-26T07:52:00.006-04:00

If you follow Settlement on Twitter, or like us on Facebook, then you already know that Summer Jam went out with a bang this year. Held at the Germantown branch from June 21-July 2, and at the Mary Louise Curtis Branch from July 6-16, the two camps helped nearly 40 young musicians hone their songcraft, improve their playing and learn how professional musicians prepare for studio recording and live shows.
All eight bands formed at Summer Jam got the chance to lay down an original tune in a professional studio. The Germantown musicians headed to The Studio, where performers such as Will Smith, AC/DC and Al Green have recorded. The bands from the Mary Louise Curtis branch headed to Sine Studios, and worked with studio owners Matt Teacher and Mike Lawson (who regularly work with local Philly bands, and have done work for Bon Jovi).
Both camps ended in a finale performance held at Urban Outfitters corporate campus at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The bands played original tunes written at Summer Jam, as well as covers ranging from Nirvana and Green Day to Bill Withers and Miles Davis.
Photos from both camps are available on Facebook, and we've posted tons of great video to YouTube. Subscribe to our channel to get the latest performance videos. Summer Guitar Camp and Summer Music Theatre Camp both give final performances this week, so keep watching this space for more info.

Settlement Music School gratefully acknowledges goods and services donated for the benefit of our students received from:

Audio Technica/Tracy Brefka
Sine Studios/Matt Teacher
The Studio/Larry Gold
Urban Outfitters
The Fender Foundation

A Month of Updates

2010-06-24T14:16:00.013-04:00

Both a little and a lot has happened at the Willow Grove construction site over the past month. A small snag with connecting our water and sewer pipes to the main lines in the middle of Davisville road slowed things down for a few days. Turns out when the road was widened a few years back, a few diagrams detailing where the lines were located weren't properly updated. It took a few days of poking around, but that pesky water main couldn't hide for long.

In more interesting visual news, nearly all of the building has been covered on the outside, with just the doors and windows letting in any light from the outside world. The covering, which we just started seeing applied in our last post, is a type of gypsum wall board. Basically, it's drywall. This isn't your father's drywall, though. This exterior gypsum is both harder and hardier.

Things get even more interesting when you look a little more closely at what happened after the gypsum board was fastened to the metal studs. While the contractors are very good at making the boards fit snugly against one another, there will always be very small gaps. Which brings us to the blue tape you see in the last photo. All of the gaps are covered with this blue tape, then a special sealant is applied over the tape. This weatherproofing goo then needs a full two days to cure before the next step.

After the sealant in the gaps is fully cured, the whole building gets covered in the same blue stuff. Makes for a pretty sight. Vaguely purple drywall, slowing converted to a bright blue. Even the concrete foundations get painted.

And while the blue is certainly a very attractive color, and would garner the School no small amount of attention, rest assured that a much more traditional facade will soon present itself.

And remember, more photos are posted on our Facebook page. You don't need a Facebook account to see the photos, but if you do have one, be sure to hit the Like button while you're there. Be sure to check out the pictures of the music studios, recital hall, bathrooms and elevator shaft.

Lastly, we leave you with this parting image. Last week, our new executive director, Helen Eaton, had the chance to visit the Philadelphia area. She spent most of last Thursday on a whirlwind tour of all six current branches, but was also able to check out the construction site, along with Settlement Music School President Barrie Trimingham and Jenkintown Branch Director Marsha Hogan. For those of you unfamiliar with the faces of Settlement, from left to right, it's Barrie, Helen and Marsha.

An Open House

2010-05-28T13:34:00.007-04:00

The Willow Grove Branch draws ever closer to being a real building, with not only a roof, but also fully enclosed walls nearly ready to keep out the elements.

Not all of the elements, mind you, as you can see below. Of course at this point, the water is little more than a nuisance, and it looks much deeper than it is, given the extraordinarily smooth surface on which it sits. It almost seems like a reflecting pool.

As you can see, earlier this month aluminum studs were affixed to the frame, followed shortly by a layer of insulated sheathing.

If you live in the Willow Grove or Jenkintown area, be sure to stop by the Jenkintown Branch of the School on June 5 between 10am-1pm. As part of the School-wide Open House, we'll have on display a timeline of pictures from the Willow Grove construction project.

Of course, all six branches will be hosting Open Houses that weekend, and we encourage you to visit your local branch to check out the festivities. If you're already attending regular lessons that day, bring along a friend who's interested in music lessons. It's a great way to share your love of music. Contact your local branch to learn more about specific activities.

And as always, an expanded gallery of Willow Grove images is posted at Facebook. Head over there now to see photos of the under-construction stairwells.

The Beginnings Stages of a Stage

2010-05-11T15:57:00.006-04:00

In late April, workers poured the concrete that will form the basis of the Monroe Levin & Cameron McGraw stage in the Leonard Mellman Recital Hall. Of course, it's far from finished, and it will certainly get steps, layers of subflooring and wood to complete the job.

In fact, the entire first floor received a layer of cement shortly after the stage dried.

You'll notice layers of gravel, plastic sheeting and mesh that create a base for the cement to adhere to.

On the second and third floors, you can see that the base looked a bit more complicated because it was built on a platform, rather than the solid ground.

The cement truck that makes all this possible actually pulls up just outside the wall of the building, but a small trolley is used to bring the cement inside.

As always, click over to Facebook to see an expanded gallery of photos from this phase of contstruction.

A View from the Top (and the Bottom)

2010-04-16T15:49:00.010-04:00

One of the unfortunate realities of building a large structure is that from a certain angle, not much changes from day to day. We could post daily photos from across the street from 318 Davisville Road, and it wouldn't look like much is changing.

Look a little closer, though, and you'll see there's a lot going on. The photo on the left, taken last month shortly after the building frame was complete, shows the decking being added to the third floor.

The photo to the right shows the current view from the ground floor, where the School's offices and recital hall will be located. As a matter of fact, the photo was taken from about the position of the Branch Director's office looking toward the lobby. The entrance to the branch will be to the right at the rear of the building, and recital hall will be to the left.

Head up two flights on a construction ladder in the elevator shaft, and you're standing on smoothed, finished concrete that's been poured on the decking you see above. The recessed area in the center will be the dance studio, which will have a special floor inlaid.

Wondering how poured concrete gets so smooth? Picture for a moment some sort of mutant cross between a Zamboni(TM), an air boat and a riding lawnmower. You know what, you don't need to picture it. Just click on the next photo for a better view of these fantastic looking machines.

Click over to our Facebook fan page for an expanded gallery of photos, including the elevator shaft, the decking before concrete has been poured, and a view from the top floor looking down.

Keeping a Large Retainer

2010-04-16T13:19:00.006-04:00

One of the challenges of the lot on which the Willow Grove Branch sits is that it initially sloped down to railroad tracks at the rear of the property. We noted the beginnings of the retaining wall necessary to level the property in an earlier post. In addition to that purpose, it also creates a separation between our parking lot and the railroad tracks.

In the photo that opens this post, you can see the entire length of the wall along the back of the property. And we're still not done. The wall currently stands about 19 feet, and when it's completed, it should be around 25 feet tall.

The thing about a wall is that it's not nearly as simple as it might first appear. For instance, you can't just stack a bunch of cinder blocks on top of one another and expect it to hold against even a small weight, nevermind the tons of dirt that are pressing against this wall. Each semi-hollow block is carefully placed then filled with material. After a line of blocks is placed, a layer of geofabric is laid on top, and the next layer begins anew. This fabric (which you can see to the right) prevents the water that trickles down the interior of the bricks from displacing the fill material (stone, dirt, etc.) within each brick. The water travels freely, the fill material stays where it is instead of getting washed away. Then after a certain number of layers of brick are placed, dirt is filled in against the wall. That's essentially what the wall is retaining: a whole lot of dirt on which a parking lot will be built.

This last photo gives a sense of how the wall wraps around the rear of the property, and shows just how high it is.

As a reminder, all of these photos and more are featured on our Facebook fan page. Check them out here.

The Gala: After the Fact

2010-04-13T15:35:00.011-04:00

Saturday's 102nd Anniversary Gala held at the Hyatt at the Bellevue was a great success. With more than 400 guests in attendance, both the cocktail hour and dinner were comfortably cozy without feeling overcrowded.

Glamorous ladies and dapper gentlemen enjoyed the sounds of Settlement students and alumni alike. From the solo student guitarist who greeted guests at the entrance to the Grand Ballroom, to the Kardon-Northeast Jazz Band who played during the cocktail hour, to the Gail W. Snitzer Advanced Study String Quartet (see the group onstage in the above photo), Settlement students acquitted themselves well throughout the evening's festivities.

And following those stellar performances, guests danced the night away to the orchestra of Settlement alumnus and Settlement 100 honoree Joe Sudler.

For a full gallery of photos from the event, visit Settlement's Facebook Fan Page. Have story from the Gala to share? Let us know in the comments.

The Gala Approaches

2010-04-06T09:02:00.006-04:00

Settlement's 102nd Anniversary arrives this Saturday, April 10, but the first signs of celebration occurred in early March at the Gala Benefactor Party. Held at Jacobs Music of Philadelphia, this year's party featured three floors of gorgeous pianos, great wine, and thrilling music.

On hand providing that music were the Myer Schwartz Advanced Study Piano Trio, coached by Sandra Carlock, Arthur Judson Distinguished Faculty Chair. The trio is comprised of Kathleen Sun, violin; Samuel Soltoff, cello; and Christianna Bates, piano.

Co-chairs Don & Lynn Haskin, Konnie & Paul Stark (pictured left to right) joined Central Board Chair Joseph W. Waz, Jr. (back center) in "tickling the ivories."

And as always, Moore Brothers Wine Company was on hand to provide some truly spectacular wines. Greg Moore played bartender for the evening, and the guests couldn't have been happier.

To see more pictures from the event, and to keep up-to-date on the latest Settlement news and events, visit our Facebook Fan Page. Be sure to become a fan, and you'll get alerts when we post new info.

Just like an Erector Set

2010-03-23T16:10:00.007-04:00

Things are really heating up now at the Willow Grove Construction Site. The picture to the right was taken two weeks ago, just as the steel was first delivered to the work site.

Not more than a day later, the frame of the building is taking a very definite shape. If we think of the building as a body, we've got a skeleton (steel frame), a couple layers of skin (exterior concrete walls), and a few pieces of circulatory system (exterior drains).

Interior walls (which, if we're stretching our body metaphor, are what, cell walls or muscle fibers?) are still a few months away, but we're well on our way to something that actually resembles a building.

The pictures in this post all were taken within the space of a week, which our construction guru tells us is about perfect for a structure like ours.

More updates as we get new pictures. In the meantime, take a few seconds to become a fan of Settlement on Facebook. Then check out the fan page and let us know what you think.

Snow and more Walls

2010-03-12T14:39:00.008-05:00

So there was the matter of a little snow in the middle of February. Okay, a lot of snow. But we've got a lot full of construction equipment -- the kind of equipment that moves giant piles of dirt without a problem.

So a little bit of snow didn't slow construction much at all. The bulldozer just shoved the most inconvenient mounds out of the way.

Then workers got started on a retaining wall that will run the length of the rear of the property along the railroad track. Importantly, the parking lot for the new branch will be between the building and the railroad tracks, so the retaining wall serves the important purpose of building up the ground back there so it brings the parking lot to a reasonable level. The shot to the left is just the first level or two of that wall.

A few days later, not only is the wall a good bit larger, but we're already packing dirt behind it tightly enough that the construction equipment is rolling across it without a problem. You'll notice that the snow on that dirt mound didn't last long, either.

While the snow itself didn't slow down work that much, the after effects did cause a few issues.
Remember that picture of the elevator pylon from a few posts ago? Well, they had recently dug out the area around the pylon to fit the sleeve that will become the base of the elevator.

Melting snow flooded that newly dug hole, and as it turns out, it's a lot easier to move snow than water.

Rest assured, though, work continues. Stay tuned next week when we'll post photos of a whole lot of steel.

The first of a few Willow Grove Updates

2010-03-12T11:41:00.007-05:00

In the last few weeks we've had two separate snowstorms (albeit close together), and we're about to get hit with a torrential downpour this weekend. But while weather and 102nd Anniversary Gala preparations have prevented blog updates, these circumstances haven't slowed down work on the Willow Grove Branch construction site.

In the first of a few posts today, we'll be bringing you up to speed on how the site has progressed since early February. In our last post, we shared pictures of the pre-fabricated forms that were erected in preparation for poured concrete. Take down those forms, and voilà, walls!

Point of interest: The ridge that runs around these concrete walls is actually where the bottom-most layer of the brick facade will be laid.

You can also make out the shadow of our intrepid photographer, Settlement's Facilities Manager Bob Giannone.

And taken from my favorite angle, compare the following shot with one taken back in December.

Come back later today for a few shots in the recent snow, as well some work done earlier this week.

102nd Anniversary Gala Menu Tasting

2010-02-12T14:27:00.014-05:00

On Thursday, February 4, Settlement Music School's Gala Menu Co-chairs Susan and Greg Moore and Susan and the Honorable Vincent Poppiti joined Gala Chairs Don and Lynn Haskin and Konnie Stark to sample some of the delicious menu selections offered by Hyatt at the Bellevue along with some fine vintage wines courtesy of Moore Brothers Wine Company.

The Poppitis (left) and Moores with Chef Richard at the Hyatt at the Bellevue have the tough job of selecting Settlement Music School's menu for the 102nd Annual Gala to be held at the Hyatt on April 10, 2010.

Gala Co-Chairs Lynn & Don Haskin and Konnie Stark (Co-chair and husband Paul Stark had an out-of-town business meeting that day -- too bad!)

This is one of the tougher jobs in Gala Planning! All the food was delicious. The chairs sampled the three main courses you see below, as well as a few desserts. Which of these choices do you think will be the winner? The selected meal will be published soon.

Potential Main Courses
Duet Featuring Cabernet Marinated Filet of Beef Tenderloin
Roasted Corn and Leek Potato Cake
Paired with Basil and Macadamia Nut Crusted Salmon on Garlic Infused Spinach
Balsamic Demi Glace

Duet Featuring Pan Seared Filet of Beef Tenderloin
St. Andre Cheese and Tart Apples, Black Truffle Potato Cake with a Shallot Demi Glace
Paired with Chilean Sea Bass Brushed with XO Remy Asian Sauce, Leek and Mushroom

Frenched Breast of Chicken, Applewood Bacon, Napa Cabbage, Fingerling Potato Hash
and Tart Cherry Thyme Sauce

Potential Desserts
Chocolate Indulgence
Milk Chocolate Caramel, Chocolate Glacage, Chocolate Whipped Cream

Trio Plate
Pastry Chef Selection of (3) Desserts
Lemon Curd Barquette, Macadamia Nut Cheesecake, and Chocolate Torte

Settlement Music School Closed Thursday, February 11

2010-02-10T18:17:00.000-05:00

All branches and offices of Settlement Music School are closed Thursday, February 11. We expect to re-open Friday, February 12 for regularly scheduled activities.

Patricia Manley
Interim Executive Director

Settlement Music School Closed Wednesday, February 10

2010-02-09T15:48:00.001-05:00

Weather predictions seem certain that a significant amount of snow will have accumulated by tomorrow morning and that it will continue to fall throughout the day. Therefore, all branches and offices of Settlement Music School will be closed on Wednesday, February 10 and I hope you will be somewhere safe and warm.

Updates will be posted on the Settlement website www.smsmusic.org, on the recorded messages at each branch, and on KYW. The Philadelphia emergency closing number 154 applies to all branches.

Full time staff members should check in on Thursday morning for an update on whether their branch is opening. Depending on the cleanup efforts around Philadelphia, Montgomery County and Camden, we will attempt to re-open the offices and to resume teaching as soon as practical.

Thank you.

Patricia Manley
Interim Executive Director

Sunday, February 7 Events at Mary Louise Curtis and Germantown Branches Canceled

2010-02-06T15:46:00.002-05:00

Due to the abundance of snow on Friday and Saturday, Sunday's Winter Orchestra Festival at the Mary Louise Curtis Branch and student recital at the Germantown branch have been canceled.

Please visit the calendar at www.smsmusic.org later this week for the rescheduled dates.

The School will re-open as normal on Monday, February 8.

Settlement Music School will be closed Saturday, February 6

2010-02-05T15:18:00.007-05:00

According to the weather experts, Philadelphia and the surrounding area expect several inches of snow to accumulate by early Saturday morning and for the storm to continue throughout the day.

All locations of Settlement Music School will be closed on Saturday, February 6 and will re-open for Sunday afternoon rehearsals and performances. Arrangements for plowing and cleanup have been made for Sunday.

The Settlement website www.smsmusic.org and branch telephone messages will be updated this weekend if there are any changes. As a reminder, Settlement’s school closing number on KYW 1060AM is 154. Thank you.

Stay safe and warm.

The Shape of Things to Come (Walls)

2010-01-25T16:33:00.008-05:00

Things are literally beginning to take shape at the Willow Grove branch site. Throughout this post, you'll see pictures of bare rebar sticking out of the ground, marking the places where walls eventually will stand.

The corner you see in the photo on the right marks the left corner of the building as viewed from Davisville Road.

While it may be raining cats and dogs today, the weather last week was perfect for the next stage of the process. Lightweight, pre-fabricated forms were delivered, then erected around the rebar frame.

Once the form is in place, concrete will be poured inside it, surrounding the rebar, which serves to reinforce the walls.

The white forms represent what will be the back of the new facility, which faces the road. You'll enter the parking lot from the left side of the rear of the building, then park on the side that isn't visible from the road.

Thusly, the front entrance of the building actually is in the rear of the lot, on the same side as the railroad tracks that occasionally make their way into the pictures.

Here's another shot of the concrete form from the other end of the lot. Part of the wall created here will be under the ground, forming one wall of the building's lowest floor.

Have a question about the Willow Grove construction project? Let us know in the comments below and we'll do our best to answer it.

Elevators, jacks and pylons, on my!

2010-01-22T10:03:00.004-05:00

Exciting stuff happened at the site of the Willow Grove branch just after the first of the year. The big trailer you see to your right was pulled onto the lot in order to lay the groundwork for a piece of the construction process that won't happen for a few months.

Any guesses? In case the subject of today's post didn't give it away, this jack drilled a solid metal pylon straight into the ground. Thirty-eight feet straight into the ground to be precise.

When it's installed a few months from now, the weight of the elevator machinery will rest on top of this pylon.

Just a reminder, you can see larger versions of each of these images by clicking on them.

Settlement's 2009 Nutcracker Performance from a Parent's Perspective

2010-01-12T14:31:00.005-05:00

I was a student in Olga Blumenkrantz's first class of ballet students at the Kardon-Northeast Branch about thirty years ago. I had taken nine years of ballet with Olga. In 1983, my class and I performed at the Academy of Music honoring Settlement Music School's 75th year. I can remember getting ready in the dressing room. I still have a framed program from 1986, when Robert Capanna was the Branch Director for the Kardon-Northeast Branch. Countless hours went into practicing ballet in order to achieve the prize of wearing toe shoes. After that, the goal switched to earning a solo, toe-shoe performance.

On December 22, 2009, I watched the annual version of The Nutcracker, choreographed by Olga Blumenkrantz. The festive decorations, Christmas tree, and brilliant lights transformed the stage. The performance was enhanced for me because my daughter, Ava, played the role of the Nutcracker. The most magical part for me came when my nine-year-old daughter, Chloe, danced the part of Clara wearing my toe shoes. To me, Chloe floated across the stage more gracefully than any professional I'd seen.

The audience, along with my husband, in-laws, aunt, uncle, and nieces enjoyed a wonderful, dynamic performance of The Nutcracker. Through my tears, I witnessed memories flooding back and experienced the passing of a beloved talent to the next generation with the help of Settlement Music School and the dedication of the Kardon-Northeast Branch founding ballet instructor, Olga.

My memories at SMS and recent experiences compelled me to join as a member of the Board of Directors. I wanted to give back something to an organization that had given me so much. Prior to joining the board, I knew the office personnel and my daughters' teachers. Now, I have the opportunity to engage with other parents, faculty and students by attending performance hours, recitals, and board meetings.

I wanted to share my story with other parents who are trying to give opportunities to their children and yet ask themselves, "Is it worth it?" Is it worth the drive? Is it worth the money? Is it worth the effort? I can tell you that, as a former ballet student and mother of current ballet and violin students, it is. They will carry the experience with them always, just as I do.

Julia C. Roberts
Settlement Parent
Kardon-Northeast Branch Board Member

Willow Grove Construction Over the Holidays

2010-01-04T16:23:00.009-05:00

As you can see from the photos on this post, real work on the Willow Grove project started in earnest in December.

Once the construction vehicles arrived, the first goal on site involved clearing some trees from the sides and back of the lot.

Following that, workers began clearing and grading the land in preparation for drainage installation.

Despite the surprise that was the pre-Christmas nor'easter, the drainage pipes were delivered. Further photos to come as work progresses. Be sure to visit the blog regularly for updates.

Settlement's Willow Grove Project Begins!

2010-01-04T12:37:00.009-05:00

Welcome back to Settlement's blog! One of our resolutions for 2010? More updates, more regularly.

We'll start with the progress on the Settlement's Willow Grove project. A reminder: the new branch replaces and doubles the capacity of the Jenkintown Branch, which currently is housed in a leased facility.

To give you a clear idea of where we started, the photo on the right shows what the lot looked like less than two months ago.

If you haven't been to the lot recently, then you missed the excellent sign that our builder, TN Ward, built for the site just before construction started. As with any image on the blog, just click for a larger version. Shortly after the sign went up, a trailer and portable restroom were installed on the property, a sure sign the construction was about to begin.

In the second of today's posts, we'll share what happened at the construction site over the recent holidays.

Settlement Is Proud to be Part of GivePhilly.org

2009-11-13T12:54:00.004-05:00

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

2009-10-14T16:40:00.008-04:00

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

2009-05-12T15:14:00.004-04:00

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

2009-03-20T16:50:00.002-04:00

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!!!

2009-02-25T11:41:00.002-05:00

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)

2009-01-27T14:36:00.004-05:00

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

2009-01-09T10:46:00.001-05:00

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

Masterclasses this weekend/week!

2009-01-07T16:15:00.004-05:00

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

2009-01-06T13:09:00.005-05:00

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!

2009-01-06T13:00:00.001-05:00

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!

2008-12-17T13:54:00.002-05:00

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

For all your holiday shopping needs

2008-12-16T11:33:00.002-05:00

Visit the new Settlement Music School online store

Guess Who's Coming to Brunch - John Blake and Diane Monroe

2008-12-01T16:44:00.004-05:00

This Sunday, violinists John Blake and Diane Monroe will be performing at the Settlement 100 Brunch & Live Broadcast. Both are Settlement 100 honorees and alumni.

Diane Monroe is a faculty member teaching at the Jenkintown Branch and coaches the Gray Charitable Trust Piano Trio.

John Blake, is an active performer and educator. In November he performed at the Jazz All-Stars Distinguished Alumni Recital. Through Musicopia (formerly Strings for Schools), he gives hundreds of educational concerts and workshops each year.

Don't miss their exciting performance and interview this Sunday, in person or on WRTI.

Guess Who's Coming to Brunch?

2008-11-21T09:27:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, December 7, 2008 Settlement Music School will hold the Settlement 100 Sunday Brunch and Live Broadcast at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue.

Performing will be:

John E. Blake and Diane Monroe, violins
Beth Levin, piano
Teresa McCann, piano
Joseph Anderer and Leah Mellman Bowes, French horn and piano
Reginald Pindell and Jeffrey Uhlig, baritone and piano
Myer Schwarz Advanced Study Piano Trio
Gail W. Snitzer Advanced Study String Quartet
Rosalie Magen Weinstein and Matthew B. Weinstein Advanced Study Woodwind Quintet

Performances and interviews will be broadcast live on WRTI from 12:00 to 2:00. Please join us or listen in!

To order tickets call 215-320-2686 or go online here.

Jazz All-Stars Review

2008-11-19T10:35:00.001-05:00

by Mariel Capanna, current piano student

When bandleader and bass saxophonist Joe Sudler stepped forward to introduce Settlement Music School’s Jazz All-Stars and its collection of accomplished musicians at the Independence Seaport Museum this past Sunday, he thanked Settlement Music School for the unusual opportunity to “bring these old friends and Philadelphians together.” One of many highlights in the school’s Distinguished Alumni Recital Series, the concert showcased nearly two-dozen Settlement graduates and former teachers who now play pivotal roles in local and national jazz communities.

After a brief bout of nostalgia for the city’s late jazz venues once frequented by both the Count Basie and Buddy Rich orchestras, Sudler counted off the first number— “You Got it” by Frank Foster—and with a lively, brassy bang started off the evening’s bittersweet retrospective of the big band jazz which once thrived in Philadelphia. Performed with careful, focused professionalism, the full-band numbers had a tight, clean, full sound. The first set was decorated by solos coolly delivered by jazz great Tony DeSantis on trumpet and Settlement 100 Honoree Sumi Tonooka on piano.

The first of the evening’s several “very fine combos” was comprised of jazz and classical musician Kevin MacConnell on bass; Tony DeSantis on trumpet; International performer Bob Howell on tenor sax; jazz composer and educator Dave Posmontier on piano; and Pennsylvania Council on The Arts fellow Craig McIver on drums, whose set featured two popular selections evoking happy murmurs of recognition from hundreds of audience-members. Soloists broke free with dizzying lines expertly layered and intertwined, eventually smoothed together to ease back into the melody with the entrance of the full combo. The flirty set was at once crowd-pleasing and challenging, playfully tangling and untangling familiar standards.

To the delight of the audience, the second combo started off with a gentle melody played in unison by Duane Eubanks on trumpet and John Simon on both flute and alto sax, who eased in and out of smooth and thoughtful complementary solo lines accompanied by pianist Tonooka, bassist MacConnell, and drummer Dave Gibson. Before delving into their second selection—the humorously manic “Craziology” —Simon voiced his gladness to be performing in Philadelphia since he “hasn’t played here in a while, and not by choice.”

Sudler brought back the big band to end the first half of the recital with Oliver Nelson’s “Stolen Moments,” introducing two special guest soloists: Down Beat Poll winner jazz violinist John E. Blake Jr. and Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Wallace Roney (looking the part of a Grammy Award-winner in a glittering gold jacket and enormous shades). The band served as an aural entourage rolling out the red carpet with haunting bluesy phrases fading in and out to emphasize and echo the stunning solos of Blake and Roney.

During the second half of the concert, between a fun-filled full-band rendition of Billy Strayhorn’s “Intimacy of the Blues” and a sweet, romantic performance of “Aries” featuring a dreamy alto sax solo by John Simon, Sudler took a break to thank Settlement Music School once again and to mourn the loss of jazz education in the modern school system, noting that “a lot of high schools don’t even have bands.”

The final combo starred the consistently dazzling solo and collaborative sounds of pianist Dave Posmontier, bassist Kevin MacConnell, drummer Dave Gibson, trumpeter Wallace Roney, violinist John Blake, and saxophonist Jaleel Shaw. The first selection was a highlight of this three-piece set, as straight-up rhythms expertly eased in and out of dark Afro-Cuban grooves in the midst of each solo.

The recital came to a close with one last number from the big band, joined by former member of The Roots, bassist Leonard Hubbard. Though the concert’s program ranged in mood from dreamy and romantic to upbeat and playful, the concert was performed with notably consistent serenity. This can be attributed in part to the professionalism of each All-Star Settlement Music School Alumnus on stage, but it can perhaps also be summed up by the title of the concert’s final piece, echoing the voiced sentiments of bandleader Joe Sudler: “Things Ain’t What They Used to Be.”

Upcoming Alumni Events

2008-11-14T11:31:00.000-05:00

An anonymous poster requested more information about what Settlement Alumni are involved in now. This Sunday, November 16 at 3:00 is the Distinguished Alumni Recital: Jazz All-Stars at the Independence Seaport Museum. Most of the performers are alumni of Settlement. This concert is free for Settlement staff, faculty, and students. To order tickets go here.

In December, Settlement Music School will have having the Settlement 100 Brunch. The Settlement 100 is a roster of 100 eclectic, diverse and unexpected individuals whose experiences at Settlement Music School helped shape their lives.

Welcome!

2008-11-11T11:08:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the first ever Settlement Music School blog. The purpose of this blog is to allow you – our students, parents, contributors, faculty, and staff – to help shape Settlement Music School’s presence on the web. We need your comments and ideas!

What kinds of information are important to you?
Do you enjoy reading blogs? If so, what topics do you enjoy?
Would a list of upcoming events and review of events be helpful?
Interviews with faculty or alumni?
A look inside what makes Settlement Music School run?
Rehearsal tips or helpful hints from faculty?
How can Settlement Music School (on the web) become a “cultural portal” or reference source for you?
What would you like to see on the School’s web site (www.smsmusic.org)?

Please let us know what you think! We look forward to hearing from you.