The Philadelphia Orchestra Comes To The Historic Keswick Theatre For Arts Education Benefit

Arts Montco and the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB) are proud to present musicians of the world-famous Philadelphia Orchestra at the historic Keswick Theatre on Thursday, March 21, 2019, at 7:00 PM for a community concert showcasing Montco's vibrant arts scene and providing funding for arts education in Montgomery County public schools. This is the first time a Philadelphia Orchestra ensemble has played at the Keswick Theatre.

Arts Montco and the VFTCB will donate concert proceeds to provide arts education programming to public schools in need of support across Montgomery County through a partnership with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU) and Musicopia (www.musicopia.net).

The MCIU provides services that meet the educational and social service needs of Montgomery County's 22 public school districts. Musicopia is a non-profit organization offering educational music enrichment programs in schools and communities throughout the Philadelphia region.

"As strong advocates for the arts, the VFCTB and Arts Montco have a mission to support arts education for future generations of arts enthusiasts who will ensure the continued vibrancy or our arts institutions," said VFTCB Director of Government & Cultural Affairs, Jessica Willingham.

An application for services was sent to all public middle schools in Montgomery County and the MCIU and Musicopia worked together to identify four public schools - one in each quadrant of the county - to benefit from Musicopia programming in the 2019-2020 academic year. Along with funding for arts education, a side-by-side rehearsal with Philadelphia Orchestra musicians and local students in the Abington School District will also take place later this school year.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Keswick Theatre, which opened its doors on Christmas Day in 1928. The 1,300-seat theater was the original home of the Old York Road Symphony (OYRS), whose founders included Louis Angeloty, who had been first chair of The Philadelphia Orchestra. The March 21st concert at the Keswick Theatre will feature works previously performed at the Theatre by the OYRS, which gave its first concert there in the spring of 1933. The OYRS is still active today and its official home is Abington Senior High School. Some OYRS alumni have even gone on to become members of The Philadelphia Orchestra.

The March 21st concert will take place during the Orchestra's "We're HEAR Week," which supports the Orchestra's HEAR initiative, a portfolio of programs that promotes Health, champions music Education, eliminates barriers to Accessing the Orchestra, and maximizes impact through Research.

The 90-minute program will feature a chamber ensemble under the baton of Philadelphia Orchestra Assistant Conductor Kensho Watanabe and will include selections by Grieg, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky.

The Philadelphia Orchestra will return to Montgomery County in the summer of 2020 for a major outdoor event.

Tickets are available online at www.valleyforge.org/orchestra, at the Keswick Theatre Box Office, and via phone by calling 215-572-7650.

Musicopia is a recognized leader in rebuilding and revitalizing school music programs. Musicopia reaches thousands of children each year in the Delaware Valley through music education and an instrument donation program. Musicopia places a priority on reaching students who are underserved and cut off from the regions' rich cultural life. Musicopia's mission is to provide opportunities for children to experience, learn, perform, and appreciate music. Through its high-quality programs, Musicopia aims to give all children, regardless of circumstances, the opportunity to have their lives transformed by music. Since its founding 1974, Musicopia has helped more than 300,000 children experience the benefits of first-hand exposure to the arts. More info: www.musicopia.net

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