The Philadelphia Orchestra is proud to be the lead artistic partner for the School District of Philadelphia’s All-City Orchestra. In addition to Orchestra musicians conducting the All-City Orchestra rehearsals and participating in side-by-side rehearsals with All-City Orchestra musicians, The Philadelphia Orchestra presents the annual All-City Concert in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center.
The Orchestra also mentors 12 talented young musicians selected through a rigorous audition and interview process—the All-City Orchestra Fellows. These exceptionally talented musicians receive additional program support to break down the obstacles that challenge students of under-represented communities. They receive individual lessons and mentoring from Philadelphia Orchestra musicians, tickets to Philadelphia Orchestra concerts, and opportunities to interact with internationally acclaimed artists appearing as soloists and conductors.
Students selected to this prestigious program receive:
- Year-round mentorship and up to 40 coaching sessions, free of charge, from the world- class musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra.
- Community projects throughout the Philadelphia region with musicians from The Philadelphia Orchestra.
- Chamber Music ensemble experiences with Curtis Artist-Year Fellows.
- Access to master classes and speaker series at the Curtis Institute of Music.
- Participation in masterclasses with world-renowned artists through The Philadelphia orchestra.
- Free access to Philadelphia Orchestra Concerts and select rehearsals for Fellows and their family.
- College prep workshops including mock-auditions, essays and interview tips provided by Project 440.
- Exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities with Guest Artists of The Philadelphia Orchestra.
- Additional public speaking and leadership opportunities through Project 440’s Community Engagement, Interactive Performance and Leadership & Entrepreneurship programs.
All-City Orchestra is funded through the generous support of the William Penn Foundation, with additional funding by the Nancy and William A. Loeb Student Education Fund, the Andrew W. Mellow Foundation, PECO, and Wells Fargo.
The Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth (PMAY)
The Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth (or PMAY) supports 5th-12th graders from communities that are underrepresented on the symphony orchestra stage and those who encounter hardships to realize their musical potential and ultimately pursue their dream of becoming professional classical musicians. The PMAY Artists’ Initiative will offer students financial support to make lessons, music classes, youth orchestra participation, and summer music camps affordable. Students will be able to attend free college and career preparation workshops, and PMAY teachers and staff will work with each family to make sure each musician has a strong plan to be accepted into a music conservatory, college or university music school majoring in music.
PMAY is a collaboration among ten Philadelphia organizations that believe in providing access to music education for all students. The Philadelphia Orchestra All City Fellows are eligible for PMAY Membership as a further layer of support as they progress though their high school music education and, eventually, to college careers in music.
Additional PMAY Partner Organizations are: Musicopia, Philadelphia Sinfonia, PYO Music Institute, Project 440, School District of Philadelphia Office of Music Education, Settlement Music School, Temple University Music Preparatory Division, and The Primavera Fund.
PMAY and The Philadelphia Orchestra All City Fellowship are supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.