Nominations Open For Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Ovation Award, 2/20

Every participant in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra - students and directors alike - know that music makes a profound impact on a person's life and it is often the music teacher who deserves the credit for this. Now, for the fourth year, the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra is proud to present The Fourth Annual "PYO OVATION Award - for Inspiration and Outstanding Leadership in Music Education." It is endowed by H.E.L.P.® Foundation and sponsored by Jacobs Music Company, J.W. Pepper and WRTI-90.1 FM.

Nominations open on February 20, 2017 with the deadline being March 30, 2017. The nomination process is simple. Anyone, of any age, can nominate a music teacher who has made a positive impact in his or her life. This could be a current or former student, parents, musicians - someone with fond memories of a music teacher. In 250 words or less, nominators answer this question, "How Has My Music Teacher Changed My Life." Nominees should have imparted musical skills and knowledge, but also helped build students' character, self-confidence, and capabilities that have impacted overall development and achievements. To nominate a music teacher for the PYO Ovation Award, essays should be submitted online at www.pyos.org. Nominees from prior years are still eligible and nominators are welcomed and strongly encouraged to nominate them again. A blue-ribbon panel of representatives from major music organizations and music departments of area universities will choose ten finalists and the award winner. All finalists win prizes with the grand prize winner also receiving a $1,000 honorarium. And, the nominator of the grand prize winner will receive a $250 gift card.

Louis Scaglione, president and music director of PYO, is very proud of this award. He said, "It is our honor to present the Ovation Award knowing that music educators do not get the recognition they deserve. As a music education institution, we at Philadelphia Youth Orchestra witness the positive impact teachers have on their students every day. They share their passion for music and inspire students to strive to do their best. We applaud all music educators and are pleased to have this opportunity to shine the light on those who are selected for this recognition."

Each of the honorees from the past three years is unique in their own way. The first recipient of the Ovation Award, who was honored in June 2014, is Bill Cain, a music teacher and Band Director at Wissahickon Middle School in the Wissahickon School District. When he received this award he said, "This is the best recognition for an educator that anyone could ever have! Thank you for reminding all music teachers that we are not alone in this battle for music to survive and how important it is for music to stay on the daily schedule in our schools. Schools must teach the whole child and exercise both sides of the brain." His nominator was Michael Brookshire, who knew Bill for 30 years. Bill taught him when he was the percussion instructor for Upper Moreland High School Band.

The second recipient was 83-year-old saxophonist, teacher and mentor Tony Williams. His nominator was Mark Mitchell. In his essay, Mitchell explained that Williams not only introduced him to new techniques of playing saxophone, live performances in front of an audience, and jazz music at the Mount Airy Cultural Center that Williams founded, but he also "inspired me to see the importance and desire to give back through volunteerism, he showed me examples of leadership, and he always stated that he uses music as the vehicle to unlock a young person's potential." When Williams was presented the award, he beamed. He later said, "Of all the honors I have received, this captures me the most. I am so amazed to be the one chosen among so many outstanding people standing around me."

Last year, the winner was cello teacher Jennifer Jie Jin who is the Director of the Honor String Ensemble at Archbishop John Carroll High School, Co-Director of Chamber Strings Summer Music Festival, Vivace Music Competition and Vivace Orchestra. Jin's nominator was Jessica Zhang, a private cello student who plays cello in the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra. She not only enhanced her cello skills under the guidance of Jin, she also learned to perform in front of an audience. She said, "Mrs. Jin is a super teacher. My cello skill improved quickly under her mentorship and I was so proud to perform (annually) for a group of seniors. They all looked at me with love, like looking at their grandchild. I suddenly understood why we were here to play." Jin was honored to be a finalist and totally surprised to receive the grand prize honor. She said, "This honor is a tribute to all music educators who work tirelessly and passionately each and every day. I know that music is more than an interest or hobby. It has a significant impact on all of life as it builds self-esteem, cultural awareness and the desire to achieve."

The PYO organization is one of the nation's oldest and most highly respected youth orchestral and college preparatory music education institutions for gifted and talented students. The Ovation Award is endowed by the H.E.L.P.® Foundation, which was established to assist non-profit community-focused endeavors. Gary Frank, CEO of H.E.L.P.® Foundation and LCG, Ltd., and member of the PYO Board of Trustees, is pleased with the legacy of this award. He said, "It is our honor to again endow the Fourth Annual Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Ovation Award, recognizing the finest music teachers in the Delaware Valley. We are delighted to honor these talented individuals who are devoted to educating youth, and we share their inviable passion and commitment to the musical arts."

Three renowned music organizations with historic ties to the Philadelphia community are partnering with PYO as sponsors of The Ovation Award: Jacobs Music, one of the nation's most respected piano merchants and the Tri-state region's exclusive representative for new and authentically restored Steinway & Sons, Yamaha and many other fine pianos, J.W. Pepper, one of the leading sheet music merchants in the world and WRTI, broadcaster of the region's most comprehensive classical and jazz radio programming. Chris Rinaldi, President of Jacobs Music Company and member of the PYO Board of Trustees, is happy to continue their support of the PYO Ovation Award. He said, "The tremendous life-changing impact of a music education on every facet of a student's development has long been documented. We are very pleased to have this opportunity to show our appreciation for the invaluable contributions of the many outstanding music teachers who make this possible. Jacobs Music has been honored to support the PYO Ovation Award since its inception; as a new PYO board member, it is especially meaning to me this year."

For more information and to access the Ovation Award application, visit www.pyos.org, or email questions to the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra at ovationaward@pyos.org

(Photo Credit: PYO Facebook)

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