Music Centers

Learn more about Play On Philly’s school-based Music Centers.

​Students at our Music Centers of St. Francis de Sales School, Independence Charter School West, St. Rose of Lima School, Howard Center for the Arts, and KenCrest Early Learning Center receive rigorous weekly music instruction before and after school.

K-8th grade students at St. Francis de Sales School, Independence Charter School West, and St. Rose of Lima School receive intensive music instruction both before and after school (site dependent) for a total of 8 hours a week through studio and ensemble classes. As POP students enter grades 7-12 and progress in their musicianship, they learn more challenging repertoire in weekly chamber ensembles at our Music Center at The Howard Center for the Arts at Roman Catholic High School. POP also holds a 6-week full-day summer program at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music that is open to all young musicians from across Philadelphia. POP students perform in over 25 concerts throughout the year, including annual winter and spring concerts and unique community events where students share their accomplishments with new audiences across the Greater Philadelphia region.

The primary evaluation tools for student progression are the juries held three times each school year. We focused on the core learning goals for each experience level, allowing for the evaluation of instrumental technique, knowledge of theory, and their preparation of the chosen evaluation piece. Jury results are shared with the Teaching Artists, Program Coordinators, parents or caretakers, and students. Jury scores are accompanied by a citizenship report, which paints a picture of how the student is developing as a whole person, not just a musician.