For more than a century, the Settlement Music School at 416 Queen St. in South Philly has been creating enormous opportunities for students in music, dance, arts and life.
Founded in 1908, the school now annually hands out millions in financial aid to help pave the path for success for kids who otherwise might not have that chance. And each spring the school steps up with an annual gala as its primary fundraiser to help those kids in need. Even during the years of the pandemic, nothing was going to stop the Settlement School from reaching its fundraising goals. This year marks the 116th Anniversary Gala.
“We did not miss a beat,” said Helen Eaton, CEO of Settlement Music School, recalling COVID-19’s initial surge in 2020. “Our gala was scheduled for the end of April or beginning of May and we took the whole gala online. It was an enormous effort on the part of our staff and all of our performers but it was a really wonderful event. Everyone got to view us from their homes across the country.”
Settlement Music School raises about $2.7 million each year for financial aid, which covers about 60 percent of its student population. The money raised at the Anniversary Gala will go towards financial aid. This year’s Gala be held on May 4 at South Philly’s 2300 Arena on Swanson Street. The theme this year is “Art Sparks,” which will recognize key contributors, as well as the Kardon Center for Arts Therapy, which uses movement/dance, art and music to spark improvements in communication, learning, social and physical skills, self-esteem and more. The Kardon Center and the Settlement Music School officially linked up in partnership in 2016.
“We believe that this is one of the most important programs that we have at the school,” Eaton said. “We believe in the transformative power of the arts. We know that we’re able to reach audiences in a really unique and special way through the arts. We know what a difference it can make in the lives of our clients and families and we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight this excellent work that’s being done.”
The Kardon Center for Arts Therapy will shine in a pretty large spotlight.
“We get to do a promotional video that is shown at the gala and I got to include some of our current clients including the Kardon choir,” said Laura Cerulli, Zausmer Program Manager of the Kardon Center for Arts Therapy. “Seeing their excitement at being featured and being talked about in such a positive light is really inspiring to me. I always tell my team what a blessing it is to be a part of people’s lives and try to help them find new ways to interact with the world more positively through dance or art or music. I’m beyond touched they decided to feature this beautiful program at the gala because I think it’s doing wonderful things.”
The program helps children and adults of all ages.
“I always like to tell people that anyone can benefit from creative arts therapy,” Cerulli said. “Our clients range from preschoolers who need support as they deal with emotional and social challenges from being away from their parents for the first time, to those who are looking for an outlet for creative expression as they work through feelings of anxiety and depression, all the way to older adults who live in group homes and want to use music, dance or art to feel a sense of connection and validation in their experience of the world.”
Limited tickets are still available to the gala, which will seat about 325 people.
There will also be auctions and raffles for great prizes including international vacation trips, tickets to sporting events and the Philadelphia Orchestra, original paintings and more at https://givebutter.com/c/SMSGala2024/. You do not need to attend the gala to win the raffle or auction.
The co-chairs for the Gala are retired elementary school assistant principal and former music educator of the School District of Philadelphia Byron Golson, alongside his wife, Stephanie Marsh, senior aide, Office of Legislative Affairs for the city. Byron is a former student of Settlement Music School who credits the faculty for setting him on his career path.
“The teachers who shaped me as a young music student had a profound impact on my personal development and confidence, not only as a musician, but as a contributing member of society,” said Byron. “I believe something special Settlement offers young students is the transformative power of educators who recognize and nurture the potential of their students beyond just skill development. Settlement Music School played a significant role in forming my life’s foundation, for which I am truly grateful.”
The event will also honor the law firm Stradley Ronon for its contributions to Settlement Music School’s mission. One of its partners, Bruce Leto, is a longtime member of Settlement Music School’s Central Board of Directors and the school’s executive committee.
Guests will be entertained by local seven-piece band SNACKTIME as well as other musical guests, many who are former students.
“I’m always delighted to see when alums come back and share with us the impact that Settlement has had on their lives,” Eaton said. “We have many students who go on to become professional musicians but the vast majority of our students go on to take the skills that they learned in studying music or dance or visual arts that had a positive impact on their lives and they come back and share with us just the terrific stories on how it helped them in school and their professional life.”
