The Philadelphia Orchestra Yannick Nézet-Séguin Music Director

Continuing its work to reach deeper into the communities of Philadelphia, and as part of its ongoing commitment to community service, members of The Philadelphia Orchestra performed three free Neighborhood Chamber Concerts in April and May, featuring ensembles of varying sizes. The three concerts were held at the Museum of the American Revolution in Old City, Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church in West Philadelphia, and Historic Strawberry Mansion in East Fairmount Park; a fourth concert will be held in July at Penn Treaty Park in Fishtown. The Free Neighborhood Chamber Concert Series supports the Orchestra’s HEAR initiative, a portfolio of programs that promotes Health, champions music Education, enables broad Access to Orchestra performances, and maximizes impact through Research. By providing access to music for new audiences, the Orchestra strives to strengthen its ties to the city it calls home. These concerts are generously supported by the William Penn Foundation’s New Audiences/New Places grant.

A string quartet consisting of (l to r) violinist William Polk, Assistant Concertmaster Marc Rovetti, Assistant Principal Cello Yumi Kendall, and Assistant Principal Viola Kerri Ryan performed at the Museum of the American Revolution on April 22. Photo by Pete Checchia

The audience at the Museum of the American Revolution. Photo by Pete Checcia

At Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church on April 29, (l to r) violist Renard Edwards, cellist Richard Harlow, violinist Jonathan Beiler, and violinist Booker Rowe performed an eclectic program that featured works by Mozart, Bach, George Walker, Debussy, and William Grant Still, among others. Photo by Jessica Griffin

Photo by Jessica Griffin

The afternoon at Historic Strawberry Mansion on May 6 began with an instrument "petting zoo," face painting, games, and lunch. Photo by Pete Checchia

Philadelphia Orchestra Director of Collaborative Learning Michael Albaugh introduces a woodwind quintet (Associate Principal Flute David Cramer, back to camera; Associate Principal Oboe Peter Smith, facing camera; and clarinetist Socrates Villegas, bassoonist Angela Anderson Smith, and horn player Jeffry Kirschen, not shown) to start the concert. Photo by Pete Checchia

A string quartet, (l to r) Associate Principal Cello Priscilla Lee, Associate Concertmaster Ying Fu, violist Burchard Tang, and violinist Julia Li, also performed at the concert. Photo by Pete Checchia

Even though the weather wasn't terrific, a large crowd came out to Historic Strawberry Mansion for the afternoon. Photo by Pete Checchia