"Music is the best thing yet found to encourage everyone in work and play.  An orchestra that is promoted by unselfish motives to promote music of finest educational value is an asset to the community, and the Erie Philharmonic orchestra, organized for the purpose, will have the endorsement of all."

Dr. Otto Behrend - May 3, 1921; Erie Dispatch

2018-19 Youth Concerts

Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra

The Erie Philharmonic presented three youth concerts over the course of two days this past November, reaching almost 6,000 students from across the tristate area! These concerts are presented at no cost to the student.

This year’s concert focused on Benjamin Britten’s legendary work “Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra”, and included additional music from Tchaikovsky, Haydn and more.

Concert comes complete with a detailed curriculum including pre and post-tests, Common Core, National and PA Arts Standards.

Concert Videos

2018-19 Sponsors

Lisa Adams and Scott Gordon
Amy and Mark Denlinger
Barb Hutzelman
Julie Cella
Geri Cicchetti
Pam and Dave Davis

In April 2018, the Erie Philharmonic recorded a live concert using four 360-degree 8K cameras. These videos were used to create a groundbreaking Virtual Orchestra project.

Want to learn more? come to a concert at the Warner Theatre and try out this experience for yourself!

Your donation today helps us bring the Virtual Orchestra to schools from across the region!

Thanks to everyone who helped to make this project a reality

For a sneak preview, click on the below video to view in 360!

When applicable, our guest artists will present master classes across the region in conjunctuon with their performances in Erie.  Opportunities will be available beginning in October.

Contact Executive Director Steve Weiser at 814/455-1375 or SWeiser@EriePhil.org to learn more!

2018-19

Broadway superstar Lisa Vroman worked with students from both J.S Wilson Middle School and McDowell High School on Thursday, March 22

Violinist Simone Porter worked with violin students from Edinboro University, SUNY Fredonia and the erie Junior Philharmonic on Thursday, March 7 at Edinboro University

trumpeter Byron Stripling worked with the Mcdowell High school Jazz band on October 26 as part of his concert with the philharmonic on october 27

2017-18

Renowned pianist Simone Dinnerstein worked with 4 amazing local pianists on Wednesday, April 4, as part of our season finale week celebration.

Erie Philharmonic Chorus Director Thomas Brooks worked with students from Fort LeBoeuf High School on Wednesday, December 6.

Renowned Broadway singer Lisa Vroman presented a master class at the Blasco Library for two fabulous local singers on Thursday, September 21.

2016-17

The legendary pianist Emanuel Ax presented a master class for local piano students at Mercyhurst University on Thursday, March 9th, 2017, as part of his residency here in Erie.

Principal Flute of the Met Opera Demarre McGill presented a master class for local college students at Edinboro University on Friday, November 11th, 2016.

Concertmaster Ken Johnston presented a master class for local college students at Mercyhurst University on Wednesday, October 12th, 2016.

2015-16

Pianist Inna Faliks presented a master class for local college and high school students at Mercyhurst University on Friday, February 5th, 2016.

Michael Redding and Jasmine Muhammad presented a master class for McKinley and JoAnna Connell Elementary Schools on Friday, February 5th 2016.

Bella Hristova, violinist, presented a master class for four local violinists at Mercyhurst University on Thursday, January 21st, 2016.

Throughout each season, Maestro Daniel Meyer and special guests will visit music classrooms, orchestras, concert bands and wind ensembles from around the region.  Contact Executive Director Steve Weiser at 814.455.1375 or SWeiser@EriePhil.org to schedule an event at your school today!

2018-19

The Erie Phil Octet performed for students at Lincoln Elementary on March 22 as part of our PNC Grow Up Great preschool program.

Rising-Star violinist Simone Porter visited with and performed for over 350 students from Walnut Creek Middle School and Asbury Elementary School on Friday, March 8.

World-renowned pianist Yulianna Avdeeva and Music Director Daniel Meyer visited with over 800 students from Collegiate Academy on Thursday, January 24.

2017-18

As part of our season finale week celebration, renowned pianist Simone Dinnerstein performed for students at the Barber National Institute and Joanna Connell Elementary School.

Grammy winning guitarist Sharon Isbin spent the morning playing for students in 4th grade at Fairview Elementary School.

Principal players from the Erie Philharmonic embarked on a 3-day, 6 concert tour of the region earlier this week performing new versions of classical favorites arranged by Rick Robinson and Cuttime Productions.

Performances included stops at Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy, Fort LeBoeuf High School, Early Connections, the Cathedral of St. Paul and Harbor Creek
High School.

Renowned cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan performed at McKinley Elementary School for students from both Lincoln and McKinley schools

The amazing trio of Elena Urioste, Michael Brown and Nicholas Canellakis visits with students from the Benjamin Wiley Charter School

Broadway superstar Lisa Vroman visits with students from General McLane High School.

2016-17

Music Director Daniel Meyer presents a class on music careers to students at McDowell Intermediate High School.

GUEST violin SOLOIST Jenny Oaks Baker PERFORMED FOR STUDENTS AT Leadership Christian Academy BEFORE HER PERFORMANCE WITH THE PHILHARMONIC IN April 2017.

Emanuel Ax's residency continued with a visit to Walnut Creek Middle School in March 2017.  

World-renowned Pianist performed for 2nd and 3rd grade students at Emerson Gridley Elementary during his Residency IN March 2017.

Music Director Daniel meyer worked with 2nd grade students at Edinboro Elementary during our Emanuel Ax Residency week IN March 2017.

Guest piano soloist Soyeon Kate Lee PERFORMED FOR STUDENTS AT General McLane High SCHOOL BEFORE her PERFORMANCE WITH THE PHILHARMONIC IN January 2017.

Principal Flute of the Met Opera Demarre McGill performed for elementary students at Wayne Middle School before his performance with the Philharmonic in November 2016.

Concertmaster Ken Johnston performed for elementary students at Belle Valley Elementary before his performance with the Philharmonic in October 2016.

2015-16

Cathie Ryan, international Celtic singing sensation, performed for students at the Leadership Christian Academy. 

Tanya Bannister, Pianist, performed for over 750 students from Collegiate Academy.

Music Director Daniel Meyer and Erie Phil bassoonist Sarah Lee spent the morning with students from the Benjamin Wiley Charter School.

Andrew von Oeyen, Pianist, at Asbury Elementary School.

Zuill Bailey, cellist, performing for students at Harding Elementary.

Led by retired Music Teacher Melany Myers, the PNC Grow Up Great program features weekly classes for preschool students from across the region.  Our 2018-19 program was presented to preschool students at Lincoln Elementary

2018-19

School Supply Day

Final Day

Flute/Bird Day

Erie Phil Octet

Cello Day

Violin Day

Trombone Day

Day One - Trumpet Day

2017-18 Archive

Octet Performance

Woodwind Day

First Day

(Be sure to choose LTR from the drop down menu)

2018-19 Residency

Special Guest Simone Porter

Final Day

Drumming Day

Guitar Day

Accordion Day

Percussion Petting Zoo Day

Percussion Day

Music Director Day, with special guest Sarah Lee, Bassoon

Singing Day

String Bass Day

Violin Day

Brain Based Learning

Tuba Day

First Week

Beginning in Fall 2018, the Erie Philharmonic will visit classrooms at the St. Benedict Center as a continuation of nationally-recognized Long Term Residency program.  Instead of reaching students just a few times a year as done in the past, teaching artist Melany Myers will visit the center 60 times between August and February.

This long-term residency has many goals, but the main mission is to create positive musical experiences that promote early music appreciation and early literacy skills in young students, preparing them for success in school and beyond. Strengthening this emphasis on continued arts infusion, the Philharmonic aims to bring music into pre-kindergarten classes in order to aid language and literacy development as well as organizing and applying knowledge through creative thinking.

The project is funded through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. “The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts is pleased to again approve Erie Philharmonic’s long term residency grant,” said Philip Horn, PCA executive director. “This collaboration will bring teaching artists and the creative process into unique partnerships with educators, schools and non-profit community organizations benefiting our schools and student learning.”

Teaching Artist Melany Myers has over 30 years teaching and music education experience, so this is a natural step forward to reach even more students with an expansive curriculum.  Building upon the groundwork laid by Erie Phil musician Sarah Lee, this 20-week, 60-day residency will reach over 60 students, again including visiting guest artists from the Philharmonic as well as a trip to see the orchestra perform live in the historic Warner Theatre.  The program also includes professional development on arts infusion for all teachers at the center.

Executive Director Steve Weiser is excited to look to the future and ensure the Philharmonic is truly living their mission. “I’m honored that the PA Council on the Arts has again chosen to support our residency, this year returning to the St. Benedict Center. Given the enormous success of last year's residency at Early Connections, we are anxious to see how large of an impact we can have on the lives of even more children this year,” Weiser said. “I take this program as a vote of confidence from the state – we know we are doing great things, but we are also one of the first orchestras to receive this type of funding directly from the state.”

2017-18 Archive

Final Day

Music Director Day

Return from the holidays!

Percussion Day

Music Takes Action Fundraiser

Bassoon Day

Flute/Bird Day

String Bass Day

Brass Day

First Day

Sponsors

The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) is a state agency in the Office of the Governor. Created in 1966, the PCA is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. The Council’s mission is to foster the excellence, diversity, and vitality of the arts in Pennsylvania, and to broaden the availability and appreciation of those arts throughout the commonwealth. Support for education is a PCA priority. The PCA’s Arts in Education Division assists hundreds of Pennsylvania schools to support curriculum, enrich the important work of arts educators, and provide opportunities for students to discover and develop their creative skills and abilities through teaching artist residencies. The Division and its partners also place artists in residencies in community-based settings. Learn more at www.arts.pa.gov and www.facebook.com/Pennsylvaniacouncilonthearts.

Launched in October 2016, this initiative worked with students from the YMCA Teen Center over the course of one year, showing them how a piece of music goes from paper to the stage.

Feature on Good Morning America

Composition school documentary

Music students worked with teaching artists and special guests from the Erie Philharmonic to learn how to read and write music, structure a song and arrange for different instruments.

The student’s final work was performed LIVE by the Erie Philharmonic in November 2017 for more than 6,000 students from across the region. 

Our Erie was the title of the final composition, and was arranged by Erie Philharmonic Personnel Manager and violinist Christina Dolanc.

Erie Philharmonic musicians who presented classes for students at the YMCA included Principal Bass Kieran Hanlon, Principal Tuba Ken Heinlein, Second Violin Jennifer Jansen and Second Bassoon Sarah Lee.

The Composition & Film School is made possible by gifts given to the David Matthews Memorial Fund at the YMCA of Greater Erie. Special thanks to the Erie Philharmonic, Life Thru Music, Erie Arts & Culture and John C. Lyons.

Each season, musicians from the Erie Philharmonic visit local schools, learning centers and community events presenting hands-on, Instrumental Petting Zoos.  These interactive sessions will give all participating students the opportunity to physically touch, feel and play a variety of orchestral instruments.

To arrange an Instrumental Petting Zoo, please contact Lisa Herring, Director of Community Impact.

Throughout the year, the Erie Philharmonic presents concerts, recitals, and outreach activities of all sizes across the community. 

2019-20

Wednesday, JULY 3, 2019 - FIREWORKS NIGHT AT THE ERIE SEAWOLVES

2018-19

WEDNESDAY, June 12, 2019 - ERIE ART MUSEUM - STring Quartet

Live from Studio Q performances

March 8, 2019 - Free outreach concert at Allegheny College

October 4-6, 2018 - Marc-André Hamelin Residency

wednesday, August 22, 2018 - Erie art museum - wind quintet

wednesday, JULY 19, 2018 - Strong Vincent Middle School - brass quintet

wednesday, JULY 19, 2018 - Erie art museum - brass quintet

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018 - FIREWORKS NIGHT AT THE ERIE SEAWOLVES

2017-18

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018 - ERIE ART MUSEUM - STRING QUARTET

Healthy Kids Day

Live from Studio Q performances

Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - Erie Art Museum - Woodwind Quintet

Sunday, August 13, 2017 - LEAF - Woodwind Quintet

Wednesday, July 19, 2017 - Erie Art Museum - Brass Quintet

Sunday, July 16, 2017 - LEAF - Brass Quintet