On Saturday March 15, 2014, the Free Library's Montgomery Auditorium played host to Tune Up Philly the education outreach project of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. To a packed house, students of the Tune Up Philly program performed classical and popular works in a myriad of string, brass, and wind ensembles. Photographer Mark Garvin well captured the scene, which you can view for yourself at the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra's Flickr site:

Tune Up Philly is the educational outreach program of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. Serving 250 students from across Philadelphia's neighborhoods, Tune Up Philly is a socially driven program that strives to create high quality, ensemble based musical opportunities for all children in Philadelphia. Tune Up Philly currently partners with the following organizations to bring musical opportunities to students: The People for People Charter School, The Salvation Army Kroc Center, The St. James School, The Mariana Barcetti Academy Charter School, Mastery Charter School Thomas Elementary Campus, Education Works - The Hartranft School, Education Works - Edison High School, and Taller Puertorriqueño.

Librarians from the Parkway Central Library's Music Department and its Children's Department were thrilled to participate in this afternoon's celebration of the musical accomplishments of our city's youth. All budding musicians, their parents, and their educators can be proud of the wealth of resources available at the Free Library of Philadelphia to support and nurture these talents. For advice or help navigating these resources don't hesitate to pay us a visit. Your neighborhood librarians are always ready to connect you and your community to the highest quality educational resources to grow and thrive as an artist. We look forward to see you soon!