School Partnership Program
In September 2005, The Philadelphia Orchestra introduced its School Partnership Program (SPP), establishing ongoing, in-depth relationships with partnering schools in the Philadelphia region. Through this program, the Orchestra cultivates students’ knowledge and love of orchestral music, develops students’ perceptive and creative skills and helps parents and teachers bring classical music into their homes and classrooms. This program will help bring a new generation of listeners to the Orchestra and empower our city’s youth through the exploration of their own creativity.
The School Partnership Program offers students incomparable exposure and access to the Philadelphia Orchestra and its musicians. At each school, a Philadelphia Orchestra Teaching Artist has a weekly presence in participating classrooms. They work side-by-side with classroom teachers using a curriculum and materials created by the Orchestra’s education department in collaboration with teaching artists and classroom teachers. The classes also attend Orchestra School Concerts several times throughout the year (usually four or five performances). Several members of the Orchestra, guest artists and guest composers visit each school annually, providing participating students the opportunity to engage with a range of musicians who they will see onstage in Verizon Hall.
Major funding for The Philadelphia Orchestra's School Partnership Program comes from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. Additional support provided by Campbell Soup Foundation, Comcast Foundation,Wachovia Foundation, Lincoln Financial Group Foundation, Connelly Foundation,the Hamilton Family Foundation, Loeb Student Education Fund, and the Presser Foundation.
Overview of Participating Schools for the 2008-09 School Year:
R.T. Cream Family School, Camden City Public School
Principal: Ms. Joy Carey
Grade levels participating in program: 3, 4, and 5
Joined program: September 2005
Number of students participating: 210
School grade range: PreK through 8
Teaching Artist Faculty: Tom Madeja, Steve Parker, Luigi Mazzocchi
Address: 1875 Mulford St., Camden, NJ
Website: www.camden.k12.nj.us/S/Cream/index.htm
Robert Fulton School, Philadelphia Public School
Principal: Ms. Deborah Lee
Grade levels participating in program: 3, 4, and 5
Joined program: September 2006
Number of students participating: 180
School grade range: K through 6
Teaching Artist Faculty: Rebecca Ribchester and Lauren Robinson
Address: 60 E. Haines Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Gesu School, an independent Catholic school
Principal: Sr. Ellen Convey
Grade levels participating in program: 3, 4, and 5
Joined program: September 2005
Number of students participating: 145
School grade range: PreK through 8
Teaching Artist Faculty: Keisha Hutchins
Address: 1700 West Thompson St., Philadelphia, PA
Website: www.gesuschool.org
William H. Hunter Elementary School, Philadelphia Public School
Principal: Ms. Christina Alvarez
Grade levels participating in program: 2, 3, and 4
Joined program: September 2006
Number of students participating: 180
School grade range: K through 8
Teaching Artist Faculty: Steven Parker
Address: 2400-54 North Front Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133
Website: www.phila.k12.pa.us/schools/hunter/
Gen. Philip Kearny School, School District of Philadelphia
Principal: Ms. Eileen Spagnola
Grade levels participating in program: 2, 3, and 4
Joined program: September 2005
Number of students participating: 170
School grade range: K through 6
Teaching Artist Faculty: Molly Emerman
Address: 601 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, PA
Website: Information is available on the district’s website at www.phila.k12.pa.us.
