2,500 Philadelphia School Students Attend Free Concert at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Saxophonist Branford Marsalis Gives Lessons in Jazz
December 20, 2001
Musician Branford Marsalis coaches a student in the art of jazz. Photo: Kelly & Massa
The students attending were from 67 public schools throughout Philadelphia. Over the past few weeks, many of the students have learned about the history of jazz and jazz musicians as part of their "homework" in preparation for the concert. For many, today's event was their first live jazz performance.
"We are thrilled that this performance has prompted jazz education in the classrooms," said Leslie Anne Miller, President of the Regional Performing Arts Center (RPAC). "But to have the opportunity to bring these students into a state-of-the-art concert hall like Verizon Hall and listen to one of the finest jazz musicians of our time perform live is truly an amazing educational experience."
In addition to the performance, students were given a lunch bag filled with goodies and mementos of the concert including an American presidents ruler and a ball. The giveaways and performance were underwritten by Lincoln Financial Group, a financial services company headquartered in Philadelphia. Donations from Lincoln Financial have supported both the capital campaign to build The Kimmel Center and programming for the inaugural season.
"Lincoln Financial Group was very committed to making sure there was ample community access to The Kimmel Center," said Jon A. Boscia, Chairman and CEO of Lincoln Financial Group. "We specifically sponsored this event to bring children from the Philadelphia School District into The Kimmel Center for a world-class performance."
The Marsalis concert is one of many events and programs The Kimmel Center has planned to foster thriving education and community outreach programs in the performing arts, a key component of The Center's mission.
"How exciting that The Kimmel Center will provide a new venue for cultural trips so vital for a rich educational experience for young people," said Dr. Deidre R. Farmbry, the Chief Academic Officer of the School District of Philadelphia. "This majestic building and the performances it will house will stimulate young audiences, inspire their teachers and help cultivate a lifelong appreciation for the arts."
The Branford Marsalis Quartet and Joshua Redman Quintet also will perform tonight, December 20 at 8:00 p.m. in Verizon Hall. Tickets are available by calling 215-893-1999 or at the box office.
The Regional Performing Arts Center
The Regional Performing Arts Center (RPAC) was founded in Philadelphia in 1996 to build and operate first-class performing arts facilities for local arts groups and to present special events and concerts featuring visiting performers from around the world.
On December 16, 2001, RPAC opened The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts at Broad and Spruce Streets on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts. The glass-topped Kimmel Center, designed by internationally acclaimed architect Rafael Vinoly, features the 2,500-seat Verizon Hall, a state-of-the-art concert hall with acoustics designed by Russell Johnson for The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the 650-seat Perelman Theater.
RPAC also operates the historic Academy of Music. These two venues combined make the Regional Performing Arts Center one of the nation's largest performing arts complexes. The Kimmel Center and the Academy of Music will be home to eight of Philadelphia's premier performing arts groups: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Pennsylvania Ballet, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, American Theater Arts for Youth, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, PHILADANCO, and The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society.
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