Rittenhouse: Curtis Institute of Music Thrives in Tradition
With a music teacher mother, an older sister who played the violin and an aunt who also attended the school, Erika Gray (above), a second-year viola student at the Curtis Institute of Music, decided it was only fitting for her to follow in her family’s footsteps. “I saw [my mom and sister] playing and I […]
Cedar Park: Music Program Proves Instrumental to Young Students
The major budget cuts the School District of Philadelphia had to endure had a direct impact on music and art programs throughout the schools. Established in 2011 at St. Francis De Sales School, Play On, Philly! has been able to provide students with another way to learn musical instruments in a school setting. Play On, […]
Education: New Study Finds Music Lessons Improve Academic Performance
Play on Philly, a nonprofit after-school organization, teaches orchestra and band music to students from underserved communities. The group released preliminary results of an independent study in September that indicated its program helps reduce student absences and improve classroom performance in English, math and on standardized tests. [vimeo 108741792] -Text, video and images by Lindsey Murray and Lara Witt
West Philly: Stanford Thompson, The Man Behind ‘Play On, Philly!’
[vimeo 80979879] Stanford Thompson is a tender 26 years-old but has already established a program that is trying to change music education in the city of Philadelphia. With Play on, Philly!, Thompson is combining his education and music skills to create a dynamic performing arts program for local elementary and middle school students. “The vision […]
West Philly: Music Education Improves Academic and Social Skills
With the $304 million deficit facing the Philadelphia School District this year, music education was among the first programs to get cut. However, one special after school program is encouraging students to play on. Play On, Philly!, known as POP, was established in 2011 at St. Francis de Sales School and since then has expanded […]
West Philly: Play on Philly Inspires Local Youth to be Great
In 2011, Stanford Thompson created Play on, Philly! with the goal of changing the lives of Philadelphia youth through music. With the help of Carole Haas Gravagno and a few other dedicated musicians and sponsors, the young program has already made a major impact on the young people that have been lucky enough to go […]