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 curriculum and materials created by the Orchestra’s education department in collaboration with area music and classroom teachers, school administrators, and teaching artists. Students attend an Orchestra School Concert as well as other concerts throughout the year. Orchestra musicians visit each school annually, providing participating students the opportunity to engage with a range of musicians who they will see onstage in Verizon Hall.

Funding for the School Partnership Program is provided by the Annenberg Foundation, the Connelly Foundation, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, the Hamilton Family Foundation, Holcim (US), Lincoln Financial Foundation, the Loeb Student Education Fund, the Presser Foundation, the Rosenlund Family Foundation, Christa and Calvin Schmidt, TD Bank through the TD Charitable Foundation, and the Verizon Foundation.

Overview of Participating Schools for the 2009-10 School Year:

R.T. Cream Family School, Camden City Public Schools
Principal: Mrs. Joyous D. Carey
Grade levels participating in program: 3, 4, and 5
Joined program: September 2005
Number of students participating: 210
Grade levels served by school: PreK through 8
Teaching Artist Faculty: Susanna Loewy (flute), Tom Madeja (trumpet), and Luigi Mazzocchi (violin)
Address: 1875 Mulford Street, Camden, NJ 08104
Website: www.rtcreamschool.org/

Robert Fulton School, School District of Philadelphia
Principal: Ms. Deborah Lee-Pearson
Grade levels participating in program: 3, 4, and 5
Joined program: September 2006
Number of students participating: 180
Grade levels served by school: K through 6
Teaching Artist Faculty: Rebecca Harris (violin) and Lauren Robinson (horn)
Address: 60 East Haines Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Website: www.philasd.org/

Gesu School, an independent Catholic school
Principal: Sr. Ellen Convey, IHM
Grade levels participating in program: 3, 4, and 5
Joined program: September 2005
Number of students participating: 150
Grade levels served by school: PreK through 8
Teaching Artist Faculty: Keisha Hutchins (voice)
Address: 1700 West Thompson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121
Website: www.gesuschool.org

William H. Hunter Elementary School, School District of Philadelphia
Principal: Ms. Cristina Alvarez
Grade levels participating in program: 2, 3, and 4
Joined program: September 2006
Number of students participating: 180
Grade levels served by school: K through 8
Teaching Artist Faculty: Lauren Robinson (horn)
Address: 2400 North Front Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133
Website: www.philasd.org/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
Grade levels served by school: K through 6
Teaching Artist Faculty: Gabe Globus-Hoenich (percussion), Rebecca Harris (violin), and Rose Vrbsky (bassoon)
Address: 601 Fairmont Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Website: www.philasd.org