Settlement's 103rd Anniversary Gala Featured in Philadelphia Inquirer

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.

How You Can Support Settlement and Local Music

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/

The Gala Approaches

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

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.

102nd Anniversary Gala Menu Tasting

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

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