Centennial commission to be performed Sunday, Feb. 24, 3pm at Settlement Music School Advanced Study Ensemble Student Recital.

PHILADELPHIA -- In honor of Settlement Music School's Centennial and as a way to strengthen its longtime commitment to the study and performance of contemporary music, Settlement has commissioned three world premieres by local composers to be performed throughout 2008. The first commission, by local composer and Swarthmore college professor Thomas Whitman, is entitled "Holmes Suite", and will be performed Sunday, February 24, 3pm at the Independence Seaport Museum at Penn's Landing as part of Settlement's Advanced Study Ensemble Student Recital. The event is free and open to the public.

This commission, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and The Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia, will provide students in the Benjamin and Carol Auger Contemporary Music Advanced Study Ensemble Piano Quartet, coached by Linda Reichert, with opportunities to work directly with the composer in the performance of new works. "It is an incredible honor and exceptional training tool for young chamber music players to be given this opportunity that uses extended instrumental techniques and improvisation," noted Ms. Reichert. Additional ensembles participating in the Feb. 24 recital include the Gray Charitable Trust Piano Trio, coached by Diane Monroe; the Myer Schwartz Piano Trio coached by Sandra Carlock and the Rosalie and Matthew Weinstein Woodwind Quintet coached by Shirley Curtiss. The recital will use a piano provided by Jacob's Music. Rohm and Haas Company is the Presenting Centennial Year Sponsor.

Settlement's Advanced Study Program is designed to provide a preparatory training program to high school-aged students who hope to pursue a career in music. The scholarships include participation in an advanced study ensemble, subsidized tuition for study with a senior member of the Settlement Music School faculty or with a recognized artist in the community, and participation in an advanced section of a Fundamentals of Music ear training and theory class. Ensembles perform frequently throughout the season, in concerts presented by the School and in community events. Settlement offers more than 30 Advanced Study Scholarships.

Settlement Music School is the largest community-based school of the arts in the United States, serving 15,000 students each year at six branches in two states. It provides people of all abilities, age, race and financial means with programs of the highest quality in music and dance to help them achieve their greatest potential and award nearly $2 million a year in financial aid. Close to 300,000 students have attended Settlement Music School since 1908. It is the largest employer of musicians in the region, with more than 250 dedicated faculty members, most of whom have advanced degrees.