Play on Philly (POP)

In september 2021, pops music centers at st. francis de sales schools, independence charter school west, and roman catholic high school returned to in-person programming after more than a year of virtual delivery. Pops movement-based, exploratory music program at kencrest learning center west also resumed in the fall, reaching two classes of 3 to 5-year-old students for three hours each week. In october, pop opened its newest music center at st. rose of lima school, welcoming more than 50 new students into the pop family. Play on Philly served 362 unique students total during fy22 across all programs.

Pop students performed numerous times virtually and in person throughout the year. In december, students came together to record their winter concert performances in place of performing live due to covid concerns. Their recorded performances were premiered virtually for over 200 families and community members. In january, the pop emerging artist collective honors recital was held in-person for peac family members at christ church. Students performed in their first live concert in over two years for an audience consisting of over 300 family and community members at the pop jubilee concert at the temple performing arts center. In june, the final pop emerging artist collective honors recital was held at klein recital hall at temple university.

Throughout the year, pop engaged guest artists to deepen the learning experience for students and connect them with a broader community of musicians. Composer iman habibi visited students at the independence charter school west music center to speak about his musical background and hold a q&a. The renowned music director of the san diego symphony and orchestre de symphonie de montral visited students at st francis de sales school and conducted the pop childrens orchestra. In partnership with the philadelphia chamber music society, the pop wind chamber ensemble participated in a coaching session with demarre mcgill in january 2022. In february, pop held a college prep workshop for high school students and families with guest speaker christen johnson, vp of college access at philadelphia futures. Pop also collaborated with astral artists to create young at art, a full day of masterclasses and collaborative performances. Finally, advanced musicians of the pop childrens orchestra rehearsed and performed side-by-side with the haverford-bryn mawr college orchestra on haverfords campus.

The pop emerging artist collective, which provides private lessons and audition prep for particularly dedicated students was expanded in june to become the marian anderson young artist program (mayap). This program expands peacs offerings, further increasing accessibility to opportunities both locally and nationally to young musicians interested in honing their musicianship in preparation for advanced study at the high school and post-secondary levels. Young jazz and classical musicians who are selected to be anderson artists are exceptionally dedicated to their musical studies and are focused on achieving the highest levels of musical excellence. These emerging musicians and their families are provided the comprehensive support needed to reach their full potential including, but not limited to, private weekly instruction, supplemental lessons on secondary instruments, ensemble experience, performance opportunities, concert tickets, travel stipends, and audition prep.