POTTSTOWN PA – A preview of “Celebrate America!,” a new and free community concert by the Pennsylvania Philharmonic, is scheduled to be presented July 17 (2025; Thursday) at 7 p.m. at The Hill School Center for the Arts, 860 Beech St.
No-cost tickets for the open-to-the-public celebration of American classics are now available online. It is among the newest music education and appreciation programs offered to local students by the orchestra this year.
Presentations will be both in-person and virtual. They tie into science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) curriculums already in place at school districts across the region.
American music “is a vibrant tapestry woven from diverse threads of Native American, European, and African musical traditions,” Conductor Michael Butterman explains. “From early colonial folk music and religious hymns to the rise of jazz, blues, and rock and roll, American music has influenced music globally.”
The program includes excerpts from iconic music. Featured are Copland’s Hoedown, Joplin’s The Entertainer, selections from the Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess, music by Duke Ellington, Bernstein’s Overture from West Side Story, and others.
Expanding on the Value of Music
“We believe music education and the arts are fundamentally important and beneficial to the lives of all people,” Butterman adds. The Philharmonic uses “the symphony concert experience as a catalyst for academic advancement, creativity, joy, and personal growth,” he says.
As a result, its school programs account for more than 70% of its performances. Although educational in nature, its concerts are designed to entertain and engage students in the world of art music.
“By providing children with an introduction to a high-quality symphony orchestra, we hope to spark their interest in music, encourage them to learn an instrument, and inspire them to be participants in the arts throughout their lifetimes,” Butterman says.
The non-profit Pennsylvania Philharmonic was founded in 2014. Its two-fold mission is “to introduce young minds to quality classical music, and bring an enriching musical experience to communities around the state.”
Supported by Local Sponsors
The concerts is being made possible by local sponsorship from The Hill School, Cody Systems, Liswhit Foundation, Ellis Investment Partners, Hankin Group, Switchpoint Foundation, SEI Cares Foundation, Justamere Foundation, Joe and Linda Voytilla, and Scott and Susan Bentley.
Photo by Samuel Sianipar on Unsplash, used by Travels With The Post under license
Pottstown’s GoFourth! Festival Delivers Fun and Fireworks