Page 7 - Valley Forge Arts Guide - Spring/Summer 2019

An application for services was sent to all public middle schools in Montgomery County and the MCIU and Musicopia worked together to identify four public schools – one in programming in the 2019-2020 academic year. Along with funding for arts education, a side-by-side rehearsal with Philadelphia Orchestra musicians and local students in the Abington School District will also take place later this school year.
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Keswick Theatre, which opened its doors on Christmas Day in 1928. The 1,300-seat theater was the original home of the Old York Road Symphony (OYRS), whose founders included Louis Angeloty, who had been first chair of The Philadelphia Orchestra. The March 21 concert at the Keswick Theatre will feature works previously performed at the theater by the OYRS, which gave its first concert there in the spring of 1933. The OYRS is still active today and its official home is Abington Senior High School. Some OYRS alumni have even gone on to become members of The Philadelphia Orchestra.
The March 21 concert will take place during “We’re HEAR Week,” which supports the orchestra’s HEAR initiative, a portfolio of programs that promotes Health, champions music Education, eliminates barriers to Accessing the Orchestra, and maximizes impact through Research.
The 90-minute program will feature a chamber ensemble under the baton of Philadelphia Orchestra Assistant Conductor Kensho Watanabe and will include selections by Grieg, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky.
The Philadelphia Orchestra will return to Montgomery County in the summer of 2020 for a major outdoor event.
For tickets and to plan your stay, please visit valleyforge.org/orchestra.
photo by Jessica Griffin