Frank Giordano, President and CEO of The Philly POPS, is pleased to announce the formation of a new partnership between The Philly POPS and the School District of Philadelphia. This partnership is highlighted by the presentation of Philly’s All-City Jazz Festival. The performance will showcase the jazz combos of ten participating schools performing both jazz standards and improvisational music. Each school will perform two charts and then the program finale will feature a two-song set by the All-Star Band.
The performance will take place on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Prince Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. The All-Star Band is the flagship audition-only jazz ensemble composed of the most talented students from the Philadelphia School District’s Jazz Programs. The All-Star Band will be conducted by Terell Stafford, Director of Jazz Studies at the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. The entire program will be hosted by Mt. Airy native and CAPA alumna Jacqueline Constance.
Participating schools include: Central High School, School of the Future, Franklin Learning Center, Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), Julia R. Masterman High School, Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP), Kensington CAPA, The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush and Baldi Middle School.
This new partnership between the POPS and the School District will be extended in the fall with an ongoing educational set of activities under the POPS in Schools umbrella. POPS in Schools brings POPS musicians and guest artists, coupled with the appeal of jazz, pop and rock music, directly into the classrooms of a school system which has seen ongoing cutbacks in arts programs over the past decade. Giordano is thrilled that the POPS is able to support this worthwhile endeavor. He said recently, “Supporting young musicians in Philadelphia schools through popular music is a perfect match for our orchestra. We seek to enhance musical experiences for students in a way that best prepares them for their future whether in music or in another field.”
Jacqueline Constance recently released her debut EP, The Jacqueline Constance Show, produced by Philly’s own Wes Manchild. She has received particular recognition for her performance of Billie Holiday’s interpretation of Summertime.
This is a non-ticketed event. For more information, visit phillypops.org/POPSinSchools.