Programs for Schools & Teachers

The ideal way to expose students in grades 3-5 to the exciting art form of orchestral music and the traditions of the concert hall

Jane H. Kesson School Concerts    

• Feb 11, 2025, at 10:30 AM & 12:15 PM
• Feb 12, 2025, at 10:30 AM & 12:15 PM
• Feb 13, 2025, at 10:30 AM

The Jane H. Kesson School Concert Program is funded in part by: The Acadia Fund, The Annenberg Foundation, Donald E. Barb, Esq. and the Rev. Bruce H. Davidson, The Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., The Julius and Ray Charlestein Foundation in memory of Morton and Malvina Charlestein, The Connelly Foundation, The Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, Mr. Colin Gardner and Ms. Erika L. Faust, The Hess Foundation, JKG Florida Business Corporation, The Billy Joel Fund for Music Education, Mrs. Beth Ann Wahl Kolpen and Mr. Jack Kolpen, Lincoln Financial Group Foundation, The Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation, The Nancy and William A. Loeb Student Education Fund, Philadelphia Insurance Co., Linda S. Rothermel, The Volunteer Committees for The Philadelphia Orchestra, and an anonymous donor.

An introduction to Musical Theater for students in grades 4-6

Set The Stage provides students with an introduction to the magic of musical theater. Students will explore theater as a medley of different art forms, all serving to Set The Stage to tell their own stories. The program includes a pre-show workshop at your school, taught by our experienced Teaching Artists, where students are introduced to the world of musical theater. Through engaging acting, singing, and dancing exercises, participants will discover the essential elements of musical theater productions. Next, students will embark on a memorable field trip to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts where they will experience the magic of live theater firsthand. This captivating performance featuring local Philadelphia talent will immerse students in the sights and sounds of a professional musical production with a journey through acting, singing, dancing, and theater technology. After the performance, our Teaching Artists will return to your classroom for a post-show workshop where they will guide students through a creative activity in which students will collaborate to create their own musical theater story.    

Performance Dates:

• Nov 7th, 2024, at 12:00pm
• Nov 19th, 2024, at 10:30am & 12:00pm
• Nov 20th, 2024, at 10:30am & 12:00pm

Exploration of Social Change through the history and traditions of Jazz

Jazz For Freedom is an engaging educational program that celebrates Jazz as a vital branch of Black American Music, embodying the rich tapestry of our society and the ongoing work towards social justice. This unique program is designed to supplement the Philadelphia School District’s English Language Arts and Social Studies curricula, integrating the arts, culture, geography, history, and civics to provide a comprehensive learning experience. 

Serving over 5,000 students in grades 5 through 7, Jazz For Freedom not only educates but also inspires. The program’s highlight is a free student concert held at the Perelman Theater in the Kimmel Center. This concert is a vibrant showcase featuring musicians, dancers, and poets who take students on a journey through Jazz history—from its birth in New Orleans to the flourishing Jazz scene in Philadelphia today. 

To deepen the educational impact, Jazz For Freedom includes over 300 interactive pre-show and post-show workshops. These workshops are led by skilled Teaching Artists who visit classrooms to foster a deeper understanding of the topics. Through these engaging sessions, students explore the cultural significance of Jazz and its role in shaping our collective narrative. 

Registration opens at the end of August 2024. 

Performance Dates

• Jan 21, 2025, at 12:00 PM 
• Jan 22, 2025, at 10:30 AM & 12:00 PM 
• Jan 28, 2025, at 10:30 AM & 12:00 PM  
• Feb 4, 2025, at 10:30 AM & 12:00 PM 
• Feb 6, 2025, 10:30 AM & 12:00 PM 
• Mar 4, 2025, at 10:30 AM 

Behind-the-scenes access for middle and high school students to rehearsals of The Philadelphia Orchestra

Open Rehearsals are a unique and exciting opportunity for students to observe firsthand the artistic collaboration between world-class musicians and conductors. Since this is a working rehearsal for the Philadelphia Orchestra, the full length of the rehearsal is 3 hours. Open Rehearsals begin promptly and include a 20-minute break. If necessary, groups may leave during this intermission, which occurs approximately one hour into the rehearsal.   

Dates: 

• Feb 21, at 10:00 AM (Leonidas Kavakos Plays Korngold)
• Mar 6 (Beethoven’s “Eroica”)
• Mar 27 (Stutzmann/Moreau)
• Apr 10 (Mahler’s Symphony No. 6)
• May 1 (Strauss and Liszt) 

Giving Back to Philadelphia Teachers

As a non-profit organization, Ensemble Arts Philly and The Philadelphia Orchestra celebrate and support local Philadelphia teachers all season long with free or heavily discounted tickets, both for themselves and for their students/classrooms. From free concerts by The Philadelphia Orchestra, exclusive invites to Broadway shows, and more – we are proud to invite the hard-working educational communities of our city to delight in the arts.

APPLE

Teachers, administrators, and staff of the School District of Philadelphia can receive free or heavily discounted tickets to performances by The Philadelphia Orchestra by registering for the APPLE program. APPLE (Appreciation Program for PhilaSD Leaders in Education) is valid for select concerts all season long to see the GRAMMY Award-winning Orchestra in their home at Marian Anderson Hall. Registration is easy for Philadelphia School District employees! Just register with your District e-mail address and keep an eye on your email for free ticket offers and special savings. APPLE tickets are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis and must be redeemed online.

LEARN MORE ABOUT APPLE