When
Wednesday, September 9, 2015 2 p.m.
Agenda
Philly POPS CEO Frank Giordano remarks
Frank Machos, Director of Music Education, School District of Philadelphia remarks
Margaret McCarvill, PHS Interim Executive Director remarks
Walt Straiton, Northeast Region Manager – Yamaha’s Institutional Solutions Group remarks
Tony DeSare performance
Where
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s East Passyunk Pop Up Garden (9th and Wharton) at the Sounds of Philadelphia Mural
What
The Philly POPS Guest Artist Tony DeSare will sing at an event in support of the School District’s “Music Education Innovation Campaign” Keys for Philly Kids initiative and model site South Philadelphia High School. The event, held in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, Yamaha, Jacobs Music and The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, features remarks by Philly POPS CEO Frank Giordano and a 30-minute performance by Tony DeSare.
Who
Named a “Rising Star” Male Vocalist in Downbeat magazine’s 2009 Critics Poll, Tony DeSare has lived up to the distinction by winning critical and popular acclaim for his concert performances throughout the United States, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong. He has performed in varied venues from jazz clubs to Carnegie Hall to Las Vegas headlining with Don Rickles. DeSare wrote the theme song for the motion picture My Date With Drew, along with several broadcast commercials. His latest achievement includes putting together a brand new live show, My Generation: The Contemporary American Songbook, which pays tribute to the traditional genius of Gershwin, Berlin, Porter, and Kern, while introducing the many great songwriters who created iconic music over the past half century. These new inductees include Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, and Michael McDonald, as well as “adopted” American songwriters like Paul McCartney, Elton John, and Barry Gibb.
DeSare performed with the Philly POPS in the March 2015 American Songbook: Then and Now concert series and at the 2014 POPS Ball.
Background
The Philly POPS is an official partner of the Philadelphia School District. The POPS in Schools program was launched in June to supplement and enhance the School District’s current music programs. POPS in Schools will reach approximately 1,000 students by embedding POPS musicians in ten high schools to coach and mentor music students. Instruction in specialized fields will result in expanded opportunities for artistic development and discovery among students. The POPS was a presenting sponsor of the School District’s All-City Jazz Festival, held at The Prince Theater. Philadelphia Energy Solutions is the Inaugural Sponsor of POPS in Schools.
About The Philly POPS
The Philly POPS, the largest standalone pops orchestra in the United States, delights audiences with the inspired performance of American popular music. The POPS celebrates this distinctive musical heritage through an expanding repertoire of innovative concert presentations and a robust set of educational and engagement initiatives.
Now in its 37th season, the official POPS orchestra of Pennsylvania serves a consistently growing audience of over 75,000 annually. Music Director Michael Krajewski and the 65-person Philly POPS orchestra keeps listeners tapping their toes to an impressive repertoire of songs from the 1920s up through 2015. One day, The Philly POPS is performing Frank Sinatra. The next, Rock ‘n’ Roll. Then, Broadway, ABBA, Billy Joel and on into contemporary chart toppers.
The Philly POPS performs as a founding resident company of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and at venues throughout the mid-Atlantic region.
About PHS
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1827, dedicated to creating beauty and building community through gardening, greening and learning. PHS offers programs and events for gardeners of all levels, and works with volunteers, organizations, agencies and businesses to create and maintain vibrant green spaces. Proceeds from the PHS Pop Up Gardens and donations from foundations, corporations, government and individuals support PHS programs, including PHS City Harvest. For information, visit PHSonline.org.