Education

Network for New Music’s Education program seeks to strengthen the new music community in Philadelphia by engaging in artistic and institutional collaborations that foster new generations of musicians, composers, and enjoyers of current classical music. Network provides professional experiences for emerging composers as well as opportunities for K-12 students to be active creators through hands-on, exploratory workshops that offer meaningful ways to engage with music and non-music subjects students are learning.

Current Initiatives

Classroom Workshops

First come, first served, free programming for School District of Philadelphia classrooms has been made possible by generous funding from the Glatfelter Foundation and a significant Anonymous donation.

Cost: $400
FREE for School District of Philadelphia classrooms
Students explore music as a kind of storytelling without words and learn about how composers can make intentional choices that paint a picture with sound. This workshop brings live performance into the classroom and can be adapted for music, writing, visual arts, and dance classrooms.
Grades 4-12. 45-60 minutes.
Cost: $200
FREE for School District of Philadelphia classrooms
“My piano concerto, House of Pianos, is a love letter to the many pianists who have inspired me over the years.”—Courtney Bryan, composer
Students are introduced to the music of contemporary composer Courtney Bryan and her concerto House of Pianos. Together, students identify their musical inspirations and build their own house of musical gratitude.
Grades K-8. 45-60 minutes.
Cost: $500
FREE for School District of Philadelphia classrooms
Network Ensemble instrumentalists will visit your classroom and perform classical music written and premiered in the last 1-3 years. Professional musicians will help students learn how to identify musical themes and discover how the different players can create a musical conversation with one another.
Grades 4-12. 45 minutes.
Cost: TBD
FREE for School District of Philadelphia classrooms
Looking for a modified workshop or something tailored to your classroom? Email diblasio@networkfornewmusic.org to discuss how Network could support your program.
Network brings New Music education to both music and non-music classrooms alike. Past collaborations have included after school programs, music studios, general music classes, band and orchestra classes, creative writing classes, etc.

*If your students are not public school students, and the cost is prohibitive, please reach out to discuss other options.

Network Ensemble Residencies

Network has worked with composition students from Haverford College, West Chester University, Temple University, Swarthmore College, The University of Delaware, Curtis Institute of Music, the University of Pennsylvania, and The University of the Arts.

Our university residencies are highly tailored professional experiences that often include the Network Ensemble reading, recording, and performing student compositions in concert. Students have the opportunity to receive vital feedback from professional instrumentalists who specialize in playing and performing new music.

Community Engagement

A Murmur in the Trees

Network’s annual performance of Eve Beglarian’s A Murmur in the Trees brings together a 24+ person ensemble of double bassists from across Philadelphia and the East Coast. The ensemble is composed of professional musicians, hobbyists, lifelong bass players, and double bass students.

CALL FOR BASSISTS - The call for bassists is currently closed. Applications for the next A Murmur in the Trees will be announced in the Winter of 2025.

Jazz Week & ACOSA

Every summer Network collaborates with All City Orchestra at The Mann Center to provide a free Composition Period to School District of Philadelphia classical and jazz musicians.