School Partnership Program

In September 2005, The Philadelphia Orchestra introduced its School Partnership Program (SPP), establishing ongoing, in-depth relationships with partnering schools in the Philadelphia region. Through SPP, the Orchestra cultivates students’ knowledge and love of orchestral music, develops students’ perceptive and creative skills and helps parents and teachers bring classical music into their homes and classrooms. This program will help bring a new generation of listeners to the Orchestra and empower our city’s youth through the exploration of their own creativity.

SPP offers students incomparable exposure and access to The Philadelphia Orchestra and its musicians. At each school, a Philadelphia Orchestra Teaching Artist has a regular presence in participating classrooms. They work side-by-side with classroom teachers using curriculum and materials created by the Orchestra’s education department in collaboration with area music and classroom teachers, school administrators, and teaching artists. Students attend an Orchestra School Concert as well as other concerts throughout the year. Orchestra musicians visit each school annually, providing participating students the opportunity to engage with a range of musicians who they will see onstage in Verizon Hall.

Major funding for the School Partnership Program is provided by the Annenberg Foundation, the Dorothy V. Cassard Fund at the Philadelphia Foundation, the Hamilton Family Foundation, Lincoln Financial Foundation, the Loeb Student Education Fund, the McLean Contributionship, the Presser Foundation, the Rosenlund Family Foundation, Christa and Calvin Schmidt, TD Bank through the TD Charitable Foundation, the Verizon Foundation, and the Wells Fargo Foundation. 

Overview of Participating Schools for the 2012-13 School Year

Bache-Martin School, School District of Philadelphia
Principal: Mrs. Yvette G. Duperon
Grade levels participating in program: 3, 4, and 5
Joined program: September 2012
Number of students participating: 180
Teaching Artist Faculty: Stephen Slater (horn) and Lisa Vaupel (violin)
Website: www.philasd.org/schools/bachemartin   

Cooper’s Poynt School, Camden City Public Schools
Principal:  Ms. Marilyn Allen
Grade levels participating in program: 3, 4, and 5
Joined program: September 2010
Number of students participating: 190
Teaching Artist Faculty: Susanna Loewy (flute) and Luigi Mazzocchi (violin)
Website: http://www.cooperspoynt.org

Gesu School, an independent Catholic school
Principal: Sr. Ellen Convey, IHM
Grade levels participating in program: 2, 3, and 4
Joined program: September 2005
Number of students participating: 150
Teaching Artist Faculty: Gabe Globus-Hoenich (percussion) 
Website: www.gesuschool.org

Andrew Jackson School, School District of Philadelphia
Principal: Ms. Lisa Kaplan
Grade levels participating in program: 3, 4, and 5
Joined program: September 2012
Number of students participating: 170
Teaching Artist Faculty: Aaron Irwin (saxophone) and Susanna Loewy (flute)
Website: https://webapps.philasd.org/school_profile/view/2510

John Moffet School, School District of Philadelphia
Principal:  Ms. Carmen Navarro 
Grade levels participating in program: 3, 4, and 5
Joined program: September 2011
Number of students participating: 180
Teaching Artist Faculty:  Ryan Seay (trombone), Stephen Slater (horn), and Lisa Vaupel (violin)
Website:  www.philasd.org/schools/moffet