The Philadelphia Orchestra's HEAR initiative transforms the lives of young Philadelphians through music, providing immersive educational experiences for K-12 students and developing the next generation of music-makers.
Jane H. Kesson School Concert Program
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Jane H. Kesson School Concert Program is the ideal way to expose students in grades 3–5 to the exciting and powerful art form of orchestral music. School Concerts familiarize students with the environment and traditions of a concert hall, equip them with fundamental musical vocabulary, and cultivate a lifelong interest in classical music.
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Music and Wellness Program at KIPP
In partnership with Temple University’s Arts and Quality of Life Research Center and the KIPP West Philadelphia Preparatory Academy, The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Music & Wellness Choir Program harnesses the benefits of communal singing and songwriting to increase wellness benchmarks like confidence, stress-reduction, and coping skills in KIPP West’s fifth grade students. This program offers a meaningful space for students to engage with a diverse repertoire of written and sung music with Temple University music therapists and Philadelphia Orchestra musicians, while also building a sense of community, healing, and positive self-expression through music. Designed as a three-year program, weekly sessions will take place in the virtual classroom for the 2020-21 school year, with in-person sessions beginning as KIPP West schools return to in-school learning.
The Music and Wellness Program at the KIPP West Philadelphia Preparatory School is sponsored in part by the Acadia Fund, the GKV Charitable Foundation, and the Hess Foundation.
Open Rehearsals for Students
Don’t miss the opportunity to go behind the scenes and watch The Philadelphia Orchestra at work in rehearsal, where students have the opportunity to observe first-hand the artistic collaboration between world-class musicians and conductors.
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School Ensemble Program
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s School Ensemble Program (SEP) delivers music education and instrumental, ensemble-based music instruction for underserved students. Instruction is provided multiple times per week, collaboratively delivered by the school’s Music Teachers and Orchestra Teaching Artists. Designed to expand to serve all grade levels within partnering KIPP schools, SEP will add one grade level at each school, each year until all students are served (K-8).
Major funding for the School Ensemble Program is provided by the Acadia Fund, the Annenberg Foundation, the D'Addario Foundation, the Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, the GKV Charitable Foundation, the Hamilton Family Charitable Trusts, the Hess Foundation, the Nancy and William A. Loeb Student Education Fund, the Merck Foundation, the Leo Model Foundation, the William Penn Foundation, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund's Youth Arts Engagement, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Wells Fargo, and an Anonymous donor.
School Partnership Program
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s School Partnership Program seeks to foster a love and appreciation for music in second through fifth grades by engaging students in the joy of music. This means that a teaching artist hired by The Philadelphia Orchestra will visit your child’s classroom and co-teach with the classroom teacher once a week. During this class period, your child will be exposed to orchestral music and will get a very special opportunity to become a part of the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra.
We strongly believe that a well-rounded education that includes music and the opportunity for self-expression is essential to a child’s learning. Studies show that children who are exposed to the arts are more likely to pursue their dreams later in life.
Major funding for the School Partnership Program is provided by the Acadia Fund, the Annenberg Foundation, the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, the Hess Foundation, the Nancy and William A. Loeb Student Education Fund, and the William Penn Foundation.