The Score | Philadelphia Orchestra Expands Community Focus

There was plenty of buzz before, during, and after the Philadelphia Orchestra’s free pop-up concert at the Kimmel Center on April 7. In the lobby before the concert, members of the public had the chance to lead the orchestra’s string sections, with Lowell Hoyt (in photo at right) selected to conduct the full orchestra onstage. The orchestra also announced HEAR, a new set of community-focused initiatives in Health, Education, Access, and Research. Health: The orchestra is partnering with Broad Street Ministry and Temple University to pair orchestra musicians with music therapists and clients at Broad Street Ministry. Education: A partnership with Eastman Music Company will help provide instruments to aspiring musicians, and the orchestra is expanding its work with the School District of Philadelphia and the All-City Orchestra. Access: The orchestra will strengthen existing programs and add new ones, to include PlayINs, Sound All Around, school and family concerts, and TeenTix. Research: The orchestra will study the Broad Street Ministry pilot program’s impact, in partnership with Temple University. President Allison Vulgamore said, “HEAR will expand the orchestra’s reach on and off the stage, and utilize our talents and resources in support of the social compact we share with all Philadelphians.