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Play On Philly

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Play on Philly
Formation2011
TypeMusic Education
PurposeDevelopment of young Philadelphia-area musicians
Location
Region served
Philadelphia
Executive Director
Jessica Zweig
Websiteplayonphilly.org

Play on Philly, commonly known as POP, is an American music education organization dedicated to the development of young musicians. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it was co-founded by Stanford Thompson and Carole Haas Gravagno. Using the El Sistema method to provide musical education, Play On Philly offers free music instruction to students, whom are often from low-income communities and have had little to no exposure to formal musical training. The program acquired the Marian Anderson Award in 2022.[1][2]

History

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At age 28, then Curtis Institute of Music student Stanford Thompson first learned of Abreu and El Sistema. After graduating, Thompson became one of the pioneering Abreu Fellows studying the El Sistema method. After completing his postgraduate studies at the New England Conservatory, he then returned to Philadelphia and joined up with Carole Haas Gravagno to become the co-founders of Play On, Philly! in 2011. After being unable to partner with School District officials or charter schools, POP started its first after-school program with 110 students in grades 1–8. Taking place at a Catholic school in West Philadelphia, St. Francis de Sales., the program began to take off, inducing a lottery for admission. A year later it expanded to Freir Charter Middle School in Center City.

During the following academic year in 2012, POP students received three hours of music instruction daily in small group music theory and chamber rehearsals. Students performed in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, to a full orchestra conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, and played Brahms in Marian Anderson Hall (formerly Verizon Hall) as an opener for the Philadelphia Orchestra.[3][4]

Music ensembles

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The Play on Philly organization has a total of 5 programs:[5]

The Marian Anderson Young Artist Program

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In 2022, POP acquired the Marian Anderson Award originally established in 1943 by African-American contralto Marian Anderson. The independent organization running the award program dissolved and Play On Philly became the administrators of the award. Using the obtained funds, Play On Philly created the Marian Anderson Young Artists Program, which supports students and offers private lessons free of charge at the levels of student apprentice and scholar.[5][7]

Leadership team:

  • Anna Meyer, program manager
  • Andrés González, music director[8]

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ "About Us". Play On Philly. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  2. ^ "Play On Philly acquires the Marian Anderson Award". WHYY. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  3. ^ Marchese, John (2015-04-23). "Play On, Philly!". The Philadelphia Citizen. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  4. ^ Dobrin, Peter (2022-10-13). "Play On Philly founder Stanford Thompson is stepping down". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  5. ^ a b "Our Programs". Play On Philly. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  6. ^ Andersen, Eva (2024-04-24). "Philadelphia youth orchestra strikes a chord of opportunity through "Play on Philly" - CBS Philadelphia". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  7. ^ a b Andersen, Eva (2024-04-25). "Musical prodigy from Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts to study at Juilliard this fall - CBS Philadelphia". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  8. ^ "Andrés González, Conductor, musician and music education advocate". PBS NewsHour. 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2024-06-15.