POP in the News
Read up on the latest news from Play On Philly!
Symphony – A Voice. A Name. A Concert Hall.
Featuring Dr. Anna Meyer, Program Manager for the Marian Anderson Young Artist Program
July 8, 2025
Free Library of Philadelphia – Second Fleisher Collection Scholarship Awarded to Philadelphia Tubist, Keith Holmes
Featuring Keith Holmes, Play On Philly Alumni
June 27, 2025
WHYY – Play On Philly is shaping students’ futures through intensive music education
Featuring Jessica Zweig, Executive Director and Gabrielle Bioteau + Christina Rooks, Play On Philly Alumni
June 16, 2025
CBS News – Quinta Brunson Shouts Out POP and makes a $25,000 Donation
Featuring Quinta Brunson, Star and Creator of Abbott Elementary
June 2, 2025
WRTI – WRTI Young Artist Spotlight: Clarinetist Zakyya McClenny
Featuring Zakyya, Marian Anderson Young Artist Program Scholar and Play On Philly Alumni
May 7, 2025
WHYY – Philadelphia experts, researchers discuss importance of arts in education
Featuring Andrés González, Music Director
April 8, 2025
CBS3 – Side by Side with the Philadelphia Orchestra
Featuring Andrés González, Music Director
April 5, 2025
6ABC – Side by Side with the Philadelphia Orchestra
Featuring Andrés González, Music Director
April 5, 2025
MSNBC – The Rachel Maddow Show
Featuring Zakyya, Marian Anderson Young Artist Program Scholar and Play On Philly Alumni
April 4, 2025
60 Minutes – Playing in harmony, despite the president’s DEI executive order
Featuring Zakyya, Marian Anderson Young Artist Program Scholar and Play On Philly Alumni
March 16, 2025
NPR – From The Top: Tiny Desk Concerts
Featuring Rhyuhn Green, Play On Philly and Marian Anderson Young Artist Program Alumni
January 15, 2025
PBS News Hour: A Brief But Spectacular on how Music Empowers Communities
Featuring Andrés González, Music Director
December 28, 2023
Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s message to musicians in Play On Philly and beyond: don’t forget to listen
WRTI
November 10, 2023
Play On Philly: a Model of Excellence
Yamaha
August 15, 2023
WRTI Young Artist Spotlight: Tubist Keith
July 31, 2023
Announcing Play On Philly’s new Executive Director: Jessica Zweig
June 13, 2023
POP Children’s Orchestra Featured on Albie’s Elevator
The Children’s Orchestra made their TV premiere in an episode entitled “French Toast Frank,” where Albie learns patience from POP percussionist Tristian.
July 5, 2023
WHYY “You Oughta Know” Feature on Play On Philly
Segment begins at 4:35
March 24, 2023
Fox 29 “The 215”: Play On Philly: Organization provides Philadelphia children with music education
March 15, 2023
Andrés González selected as one of Yamaha Music’s 2023 “40 under 40” music educators
February 3, 2023
PRESS RELEASE: Play On Philly Launches the Composing for Young Orchestras Project in Collaboration with the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music
November 1, 2022
Play On Philly founder Stanford Thompson is stepping down
Inquirer
October 13, 2022
Education Power Players – Stanford Thompson, Founder and Executive Director, Play On Philly
Metro Philadelphia
September 23, 2022
How A Classical Musician Became A Nonprofit Founder
Podcast: The Careers They Didn’t Tell You About
September 13, 2022
Philadelphia Community Podcast – Insight Pt. 2: Philadelphia Works Career Fair, Play On Philly, FactCheck.org
IHeartRadio
April 8, 2022
Philly Program Helps Young Musicians ‘Play on’
NBC10
April 5, 2022
Marian Anderson Young Artist Program offers kids a pathway to music
Philadelphia Tribune
April 5, 2022
The Pastor’s Office: Rev. Jonathan A. Mason’s Interview with Stanford Thompson
Interview begins at 3:22
April 2, 2022
Play On Philly New Initiative Launches
PHL17
March 29, 2022
Music education organization launches new program for Philly students
KYW Radio
March 19, 2022
PRESS RELEASE: Play On Philly Launches the Marian Anderson Young Artist Program with Call for Applications
March 14, 2022
Silver Linings from the COVID-19 Shutdowns at Music Schools
by Amy Nathan for the Oxford University Press’s OUPblog
January 29, 2022
Musician and Educator Stanford Thompson Named 2021 Alan Cooper Leadership in the Arts Honoree
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation
October 13, 2021
Play On Philly’s Positive Impact
The Mosaic (NADIA)
September 8, 2021
“Someone is playing on us,” Play On Philly reacts to Mackenzie Scott donation
Al Dia News
June 25, 2021
Play On Philly receives donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, fmr. Lower Merion teacher
6ABC
June 16, 2021
Some Philly-Area Organizations to Receive Part of Massive Donation from MacKenzie Scott
NBC10
June 16, 2021
Music to Economic Opportunity: MacKenzie Scott Funds to Help Philly Groups
NBC10
June 16, 2021
The Citizen Recommends: Young At Art
Philadelphia Citizen
April 21, 2021
PRESS RELEASE: You’re Invited to Young At Art!
April 19, 2021
PRESS RELEASE: Announcing Young at Art – A Collaboration Between Astral Artists, Play On Philly, and Mural Arts Philadelphia
February 2, 2021
POP Featured in “Kids Q the Music” Podcast
January 2, 2021
PRESS RELEASE: Philadelphia Youth Come Together as a Community through Music at the POP Virtual Winter Showcase
December 14, 2020
PRESS RELEASE: ExCITe Center and Play On Philly Discuss Creation and Innovation during the Pandemic with Philly Arts and Education Leaders
September 8, 2020
PHL 17 Morning News: POP (Play on Philly) to host Summer Showcase
August 6, 2020
Press release: Philadelphia Youth Share Their Voices Through Artistic Works at the POP Summer Showcase: Lifting Our Voice
July 31, 2020
How Music Responds on WRTI: A Conversation with Stanford Thompson
June 18, 2020
Press release: Kerwin Young Speaks with Philly Youth Musicians at POP Virtual Summer Program
July 10, 2020
Press release: Ritz Chamber Players Perform with Philly Youth Musicians at POP Strings Festival
January 29, 2020
Press release: Philadelphia Orchestral and Chester Choral Students Join Forces to Honor MLK Day with Free Performances
January 13, 2020
PLAYING AND PRESERVING (Astral Artists, Play on Philly, Partners for Sacred Spaces): Beautiful music at St. Mary’s, Hamilton Village
Phindie
November 25, 2019
Play On Philly featured on PHL17’s In Focus
PHL17
October 12, 2019
Play On Philly was featured on PHL17’s In Focus program hosted by Jennifer-Lewis Hall last weekend. Co-Founder and Executive Director Stanford Thompson, was interviewed, followed by flutist Tewabch, clarinetist Zakkya, and bassoonist Kyla performing a Mozart Divertimento to close the segment.
Stanford Thompson: Creating Social Harmony
Throomers
October 4, 2019
Cracking Nature’s Moulds in Clark Park
PlayShakespeare.com
July 27, 2019
POPSO summer students performed live music in Shakespeare in Clark Park’s production of King Lear. Check out the mention in the review to learn more about their performance!
Philly Students Master Sonatas and Concertos for Uplifting Experience
Penn Law Journal
Read about what drew Board Member Mitchell Bach to our mission and the impact our programs have had on our students!
