WRTI's Annual Back-to-School Week: We're Celebrating Music Students from the Philadelphia Region

Heading back to school is different this year, and here at WRTI we're especially aware of the challenges for young people working hard to continue their musical studies and stay connected with their fellow musicians. We're celebrating that spirit and commitment throughout the week of September 14th on WRTI 90.1. Check out all of the details!

Tune in to hear highlights from four virtual concerts presented by three of the area’s recent virtual summer programs: the Philadelphia Young Pianists Academy Digital Festival,All City Orchestra Summer Academy and Young Women Composers Camp, as well as from some of our 2019 WRTI live studio broadcasts featuring musicians from the Academy of Vocal Arts, Curtis Insitute of Music and the Keystone State Boychoir. 

Check out our conversation with seven featured composers from the Young Women Composers Camp and listen to their music here.

Here are some performances from other featured artists:

We're also broadcasting some of the top recordings made by the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute and Chester Children’s Chorus in recent years, as well as some by ensembles of Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance.

Additiionally, you'll be treated to music written for and about young players and listeners, including Kabalevsky's Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra (on a theme 'School Years'), Nodar Gabunia's A Pupil's Diary, Addinsell's Tom Brown's School Days and Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra.

For Classical At Your Request on Wednesday, September 16th from 12 to 3 PM we're taking your requests in honor of students, teachers and parents who are coping with a new normal this month. Dedicate music here and we'll play it on the air on Wednesday!

On the jazz side, we're revisiting some of our favorite WRTI exclusive performances from the Rite of Swing Café, recorded at the Temple Performing Arts Center.

The series features performers with ties to Temple University and the Philly jazz scene, including some current students and faculty from the Boyer College of Music and Dance.

We'll bring you some standout student performances that shine the spotlight on bass players— to coincide with NPR Music and WRTI’s collaborative celebration of the Philly Bass Legacy —Slingshot City Scenes. You'll hear music featuring a student lead bassist, or a student ensemble that has invited a prominent area bassist to join them for the performance.