Fitler Vibe: Musical Edition
SAVE THE MUSIC. Isn’t is Ironic that live music, which is arguably the most unifying artistic expression in the universe, is also probably the most dangerous during a global pandemic? Given the highly infectious nature of COVID-19 and how it spreads, it didn’t take long for the ‘pause’ button to be pressed on musical gatherings. From Coachella to choir practice, we have not been Gettin’ In Tune this summer. With this edition of The Vibe, we check in with some local music professionals to hear how their Beat Goes On and what they have planned for Somewhere Over the Rainbow because one day we’ll wake up and the clouds will be far behind us.
Jessica Craft is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rock to the Future, a Philadelphia-based non-profit organization with the mission of helping Philly youth achieve their fullest potential through free, student-driven music programs. Below, Jessica shares with us some thoughts on the importance of music education and how her organization has pivoted to maintain its impact during COVID-19.
Rock to the Future is a dynamic organization. Can you share with us your motivation for starting it? What have been the keys to its success?
Growing up, I struggled to connect with peers and hated going to school. At Temple University, I studied business administration and economics, but my love for music and art is where I found friendship, a supportive community, and a place to express myself. I volunteered as a mentor for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and I saw the difficulties that Philadelphia youth, schools, and families face. My “little sister” loved music and singing but didn’t have the opportunity to learn music at home or school because of the cost. I would teach her guitar at the park and we would sing together. Access to music shouldn’t be considered a luxury and all youth should have the chance to experience these benefits of music. I believe in the power of music from my own experiences and wanted to help other youth as music helped me growing up.
I won a $15,000 grant in 2010 to start Rock to the Future with the mission of helping youth achieve their fullest potential through no-cost music programs. We started as a volunteer organization with 13 students, and have grown to now serve more than 350 youth annually in-school, after school, during the summer, and (now) virtually.
Over the past 10 years, I continue to be inspired by our youth. In spite of the systemic disadvantages that Philly youth face, they are resilient and will succeed when given the chance. I’ve seen teens learn to communicate their needs, work through challenges with peers, feel valued, and learn pride. Since inception, 100% of students from our MusiCore After School program have pursued post-secondary education and become nurses, teachers, tech and business professionals, skilled trades persons, and more. Through safe space, caring adults, and individualized approaches, we are preparing the next generation for every stage.
How has Rock to the Future pivoted to keep the kids engaged since schools closed in March?
Rock to the Future is keeping youth connected, collaborating, creating, and continuing their learning during this time of social distancing. We are currently providing more than 20 hours weekly of free music instruction including lessons on guitar, bass, drums, piano, vocals, music production, beatmaking, remixes, music and art, book club, and more. Rock to the Future is dedicated to equity, and we want to make sure that any student in Philadelphia who wishes to participate is able to do so.
There are no costs to participate and we’re providing contactless instrument dropoff directly at students’ homes. We’ve mailed music accessories, books, and art kits directly to students’ homes. We’re also supporting digital equity and are providing students with laptops and Internet access. We held our first virtual student showcase in June and are preparing for another in September. Here is a sample performance from June’s showcase. When the school year starts, we intend to provide additional academic tutoring and post-secondary support in addition to our innovative music classes.
Why do you think music education is so important?
Music is a powerful force. There are studies that show youth who participate in music programs are more likely to stay in school, graduate, pursue professional careers, be more civically involved, have reduced aggression and more helping behaviors, and other indicators of success. It’s not just about teaching music–it must be paired with positive environments, caring adults, support for different abilities and needs, and restorative practices in order to truly support youth development. When you see a room of smiling children and teens caring for each other, learning from each other, and supporting each other, that’s why this work is important. Supportive and positive communities are created through music. Chanel, a Rock to the Future student says it better than I can, “When I found out Rock to the Future was here, I was really happy. I was honestly like ‘my life has been saved…’ My guitar helps me more than anything else does.”
How can Fitler Club members support Rock to the Future?
Rock to the Future’s programs are provided at no cost to participants and the greatest gift is a financial contribution so that we can keep our programs free for youth while paying community members a fair wage for their talent and dedicated work. We also accept donations–from instruments and supplies to talent and time. Our talented students love performing live! If you have an event where you need some fantastic acoustic or full-band music, we would love to be involved. To make a financial or in-kind donation, learn more about volunteering, or contact us, please visit RocktotheFuture.org.
As Live Nation Urban Vice President of Business Development & Operations, Brandon Pankey has been an integral part of a team that brings signature urban events and festivals in Hip Hop, R&B, and Gospel to the public. He’s helped produce festivals nationwide including Roots Picnic, Lil WeezyAna Fest, Kirk Franklin’s Exodus Music and Arts Festival, and Broccoli City Festival. Beyond Live Nation Urban, he is the Manager for Interscope Records recording artist Brianna Cash. He is also Executive Director of the DASH program which provides music education opportunities for students in high schools throughout Philadelphia and Baltimore and he has served as an adjunct professor at Drexel University. Brandon shares his view on the Philly music scene and what to expect from live music in 2021.
You have traveled the world in your role for Live Nation Urban. What is your connection to Philadelphia and how would you describe the music scene here?
Philadelphia is everything to me. I was born and raised in Philly and the fact that I was able to stay and build my career in the entertainment industry means the world to me. The music scene is steeped in soul and I would argue that the city has some of the most creative minds in the arts. Post-pandemic, I think we will thrive in a way that we never have before.
The Roots picnic couldn’t happen this year, obviously. We certainly hope it’ll be back next year. Tell us why it is an important event for the City.
This year, we were actually able to partner with Michelle Obama and When We All Vote and bring the Roots Picnic Virtual Experience to the world. We had close to 700,000 viewers and I think that will dovetail into what should be the most impactful Roots Picnic ever in 2021. Look, the Picnic is the kickoff to the summer in Philadelphia. It is the kickoff to Black Music Month. It is the brainchild of the most legendary hip-hop band in history. It is a staple in Philadelphia and I’m so excited for what we will deliver in the years ahead.
For someone who is so connected to live music, what have you missed the most?
It has to be the excitement of the crowd. Watching thousands of people in unison forget about their everyday problems and unite together and enjoy music together…it’s one of the most beautiful experiences ever.
Who are some of the up and coming artists on your radar?
Brianna Cash has been on my radar for years! She is a North Philadelphia native who is signed to Interscope Records. Her EP drops in October of this year. I am so excited to see what she accomplishes.
When Opera Philadelphia launched its annual Festival O in 2017, the packed calendar of operas ranging from the classic to the contemporary, suitable for binging in a weekend, was described as the “Netflix of opera.” With the Covid-19 pandemic forcing companies away from gathering large audiences in theaters, the company is taking its next step into the future of the art form with the launch of the Opera Philadelphia Channel, a global broadcast platform that will bring a revised 2020-2021 season into opera lovers’ homes via their television screens and streaming devices.
“Guided by the current global health pandemic and recommendations from city and state health experts, Opera Philadelphia is committed to safely engaging with our audiences, artists, musicians, staff, and our community,” said David B. Devan, General Director & President of Opera Philadelphia. “We have made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel Festival O20 and postpone many of the operas and events planned for our theaters, but we are thrilled to reimagine much of the proposed season, and expand it with new offerings, to be delivered to homes across the world via the Opera Philadelphia Channel.”
Superstar tenor Lawrence Brownlee, who serves as Opera Philadelphia’s Artistic Advisor and had been scheduled to perform in residency as part of Festival O20, will launch the broadcast season with two filmed concerts.
In “Lawrence Brownlee & Friends in Philadelphia,” Brownlee and a diverse lineup of guest artists will perform some of their favorite repertoire, resulting in a dynamic combination of arias, songs, and spirituals, showcasing the virtuosic range of the artists. Brownlee will also lead the broadcast premiere of Cycles of My Being, a song cycle that centers on what it means to be a Black man living in America today. Composed by multi-instrumentalist Tyshawn Sorey, who is currently Opera Philadelphia’s Composer in Residence, with lyrics by the award-winning poet Terrance Hayes, both of whom are MacArthur “genius grant” winners, the song cycle received its world premiere with the company in 2018.
Stay tuned for Fitler Club and Opera Philadelphia programming in The Garden this fall.
What have you missed most about live music?
Playing it! Being a part of it! I miss performing with my colleagues and the spirit, community, and shared human experiences that live music provides.
What do you love most about Philadelphia’s music scene?
Its diversity, pride, and soul. All of those qualities can be found in the diverse offering of music groups in Philly. Even though we don’t collaborate as much as we should, those commonalities are always present, along with that great “Sound of Philadelphia” that Gamble and Huff were so instrumental in creating. It’s those qualities and points of unity that make the Philadelphia music scene particularly vibrant and resilient.
What are you listening to right now?
I’m always listening to a wide variety of genres, styles, and performers—from classical to opera, gospel, and Whitney Houston. I actually just put together a Spotify playlist for The Philadelphia Orchestra where you can hear what I’m currently listening to!
How have you been able to engage audiences and young musicians while not being able to perform live?
The pandemic has provided an opportunity to connect with audiences like never before, and it has given many people, specifically students, greater accessibility to artists like myself. In addition to all of the virtual work The Philadelphia Orchestra is doing to stay connected with our audiences, I’ve participated in virtual programs in South America, online interviews and round-table discussions with groups in Europe, and virtual private lessons with those who have reached out through my Instagram account (@weatherclef).
I’ve remained active in the Philadelphia community through Project 440, my nonprofit that is focused on providing young people with tools and skills to lead better lives through the lens and lessons of music. Currently, I’m busy with the All City Summer Orchestra Academy (ACOSA) at the Mann Center, which is getting ready to finish its virtual summer camp. I’ve had to upgrade a lot of my tech equipment to be able to accommodate all of the new digital experiences I’m involved in!
We asked some celebs and familiar faces at Fitler Club what concert they would most like to see. Here’s what they had to say:
Misty Copeland, Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre: Mariah Carey has been my idol since I was young. Looking back as an adult I believe it was because she was representative for me as a biracial girl. My favorite song is an obscure song called Looking In.
Alejandro Bedoya, Philadelphia Union Midfielder and Captain: U2 in Milano back in like 2004 or 2005 at the San Siro stadium. For me, San Siro is such an iconic legendary stadium for soccer. I remember being young and watching the DVD of the concert and the performance by U2. I was mesmerized by how the band was able to bring so many people together and how they had everyone singing in sync. It brought me chills to hear the music as the camera cut away to the fans singing the lyrics at the top of their lungs. It’s very reminiscent of the top soccer atmospheres around the world. The humanity in which U2 is able to bring people together singing their wonderful lyrics and music is something I would love to hear in a concert, especially right now.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music Director, The Philadelphia Orchestra: To me, jazz singer Sarah Vaughan is an unmatched vocal talent in the history of the musical world. Perhaps I am drawn to her because her vocal abilities are often compared to those of an opera singer, but any time a record of her comes on I can’t help but be in awe of what she was able to do. I think we can all agree that seeing a live performance is irreplaceable, so the opportunity to see Sarah live would have been a highlight of my life. Here is my favorite recording of Sarah Vaughan, to get you started.
Photo credit: Jessica Griffith.
Jeff David, President, Fitler Club: As a close second, I think Queen at LiveAid, Wembley Stadium 1985 is arguably one of the greatest of all time as far as I can remember…but there is one concert that always makes the back of my neck hairs stand up and that is Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman at the Piazza Dei Cavalieri, notably singing “Time to Say Goodbye”. Freddy Mercury is incredible, but hard to top two Opera legends plus a full symphony orchestra in a 16th century village square in Pisa.
Jessica Craft, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rock to the Future: When I traveled to Morocco last year, I learned about touareg music and notably the band Tinariwen. Their story is amazing — a grassroots rebel group seeking freedom and creating their own homemade instruments. I don’t know what the songs are about since they sing in Tamashek, but they remind me of trekking through the Sahara Desert and sleeping under the stars. It brings me to a place of peace and hope.
Joseph Conyers, Acting Associate Principal Bass, The Philadelphia Orchestra: It would be fascinating to hear an orchestra from the late 19th or early 20th century to see how much the string playing has changed, as well as hear some of the 19th- and 20th-century repertoire when those composers were still alive. There would be so much to learn about the sound, style, and performance practice those composers had in mind while writing music.
Photo credit: Kriston Jae Bethel.
Brandon Pankey, Vice President, Business Development & Operations, Live Nation Urban: I’ve been Blessed to see a lot of artists perform live so it would have to be Luther Vandross, without question. One of the greatest voices in R&B music ever.
Fitler Fellow and cellist Jesus Morales is an active soloist, recording artist and chamber musician. He serves as a cello professor with ArCoNet and Temple University. He was kind enough to record a special performance just for Fitler Club members. Sit back, relax and enjoy.