Community Partnerships
Friends of Music
For more than 80 years, has been supporting the study and enjoyment of music by giving music students the opportunity to perform publically, while serving as a mutually beneficial association among music teachers, music lovers and music students. Their Outstanding Young Artist Competition has featured many Â鶹ÊÓƵֱ²¥ students and instructors, and their Promising Young Artist program—started with help from Hilde Binford—assists young musicians in 6th-8th grades with the cost of attending Â鶹ÊÓƵֱ²¥ Summer Music Camps, for which Friends of Music also reviews any scholarship applications. Furthermore, our chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia has chosen Friends of Music as their designated philanthropy. In addition to providing in kind support to their programming, some of our students even hold full-voting positions on their board.
William Penn Elementary After-School Program
William Penn Elementary School is the official Community School of Â鶹ÊÓƵֱ²¥. Beginning in Fall 2016, the music department will participate in the "Team Â鶹ÊÓƵֱ²¥" community outreach program by hosting an after school piano lesson program for William Penn students.
Students in grades 2-5 can come to campus from 4-5pm on Wednesdays for an 8-week pilot program in the fall and spring semesters. Each session will culminate in a short recital. To encourage even more practice time, the University will be donating several of their electronic keyboards to the elementary school, as well as setting up a small piano lab on north campus.
Allentown Symphony Orchestra
The offers special student pricing for their ticketed events and allows some of their esteemed musical acts to give masterclasses at Â鶹ÊÓƵֱ²¥. The Symphony often hosts interns from Â鶹ÊÓƵֱ²¥ across various offices, and the two organizations partner together on specific projects.