You’re invited to Young At Art!
Astral | Thursday April 15, 2021PHILADELPHIA, PA – Join Astral Artists, Play On Philly and Mural Arts Philadelphia for a week of free “mini concerts” starting April 26, 2021 at 5:00pm ET. Averaging 20 minutes each, these events celebrate a journey of expression and creativity through classical music and murals, presenting small groups of chamber musicians of all ages and levels of experience paired with works from the Mural Arts collection. Each concert is centered around one of five instrument groups – brass, percussion, woodwinds, harp and strings.
Stefanie Wakeman, Director of Community Partnerships at Astral Artists says, “Young At Art is about the ways in which art and artists are interconnected. At the heart of this project is the belief that classical music is a living art, connecting us to one another across time and miles. What better partner to music could we find during this time of social distance than the wealth of murals across Philadelphia, coming together with musicians of all ages to create an experience that is truly ‘Young At Art’.”
These events are the culmination of months of collaboration between Astral, Play On Philly and Mural Arts Philadelphia. Knowing that the best art comes from dedicated time together, each POP ensemble participated in a series of mentoring visits with Astral artists and other featured musicians, building musical skills and relationships while exploring the intersection of visual art and music. “Discussions around the murals inspired Astral artists and POP students to think about the connection of visual color palettes to musical tone color and phrasing. These ideas are thought-provoking and advanced even for the most professional musicians!” says Play On Philly’s Program Director, Jessica Zweig. “We hope that the musical interpretation inspired by the murals in these performances will, in turn, inspire audience members to see the world around them from a new perspective.”
Register to attend the week of mini concerts here.
Can’t make these drop events? Each one will remain free and fully accessible via Astral’s YouTube channel as well as on all partner websites.
Young at Art is generously supported by The Connelly Foundation and the Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia.
Event Details
April 26, 2021 @ 5:00pm ET
Young At Art: Inspiration
(POP Brass Ensemble & Brittany Lasch, trombone)
Featured murals:
Aqui y Alla by Michelle Angela Ortiz
Dreams, Diaspora and Destiny by Joshua Mays and DJ King Britt
April 27, 2021 @ 5:00pm ET
Young At Art: Exploration
(POP Percussion Ensemble & Joshua Jones, percussion)
Featured murals:
Jackie Robinson by David McShane
The Color of Your Voice by Keir Johnston & Ernel Martinez
April 28, 2021 @ 5:00pm ET
Young At Art: Connection
(POP Wind Ensemble & Annie Wu, flute)
Featured murals:
Staircases and Mountaintops: Ascending Beyond the Dream by Willis “Nomo” Humphrey & Jonny Buss
Common Threads by Meg Saligman
April 29, 2021 @ 5:00pm ET
Young At Art: Collaboration
(POP Harp Ensemble & Rachel O’Brien, harp)
Featured murals:
Frequencies by Benjamin Volta
Folding the Prism by Jessie Unterhalter & Katey Truhn
April 30, 2021 @ 5:00pm ET
Young At Art: Celebration
(POP String Ensemble & Hannah Tarley, violin / Thomas Mesa, cello)
Featured murals:
Philly Rising by Nilé Livingston
Rippling Moon: An Urban Fairytale by Meg Saligman
Wide Open by Jim Houser
ABOUT ASTRAL
Based in Philadelphia, Astral is a nonprofit program that specializes in developing the early careers of extraordinary classical musicians. Astral concentrates its resources on a small number of rising-star soloists and chamber ensembles with the potential to be change-makers and influencers in classical music. Astral provides artists with industry-leading resources, networking, immersive community engagement experiences, and entrepreneurial tools. Astral Laureates have gone on to become Grammy Award Winners, world-renowned soloists, members of top orchestras, founders of concert series and acclaimed music educators. Learn more at www.astralartists.org
ABOUT PLAY ON PHILLY
Play On Philly (POP) provides high-quality music education to students, who would typically lack access, as a vehicle for life skills and academic achievement. During a typical year, we provide 2 hours of music instruction and ensemble practice every day after school and over 25 performance opportunities throughout the year. Students range from Kindergarten to 12th grade and are loaned an orchestral instrument at no cost. POP programming has proven results: our students score ten points higher on standardized tests and have improved behavior and study skills. We cultivate musical excellence, lifelong skills, and confidence. Learn more about POP at our website: www.playonphilly.org.
ABOUT MURAL ARTS PHILADELPHIA
Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. For over 35 years, Mural Arts has united artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural-making, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives. Mural Arts engages communities in 50–100 public art projects each year and maintains its growing collection through a restoration initiative. Our core program areas—Art Education, Restorative Justice, and Porch Light—yield unique, project-based learning opportunities for thousands of youth and adults. Each year, 15,000 residents and visitors tour Mural Arts’ outdoor art gallery, which has become part of the city’s civic landscape and a source of pride and inspiration, earning Philadelphia international recognition as the “City of Murals.”
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