The Philadelphia Freedom Band has secured several grants from JSEF over the years. Most of these have been for the purchase of new concert and marching instruments for their growing membership. They also needed new storage racks for the expanded inventory of these instruments. JSEF was proud to support this thriving band.
To document the successes of this group, David Szczepanik, President, Philadelphia Freedom Band, shared this update with JSEF…
On Sunday, May 5, 2024, the Philadelphia Freedom Band hosted our Spring 2024 concert: UNITY IN RHYTHM. Artistic Director Hayley Varhol led the band in songs such as: Festal Scenes by Yasuhide Ito, Suite of Old American Dances by Robert Russell Bennett, Armenian Dances by Alfred Reed, The Rusty Bucket by Carol Brittin Chambers, Little Mexican Suite MVt 4 Ceiba by Nubia Jaime Donjuan.
More than 80 members of the Philadelphia Freedom Band participated in the performance at a new venue in Old City Philadelphia: Old First Reformed Church of Christ. The percussion section was thankful for new equipment first used at this performance including: a new 26 inch timpani, finger cymbals, a new high hat stand, a bongo stand, new cymbal straps, 15 new music stands, a new rainstick, a new piccolo marching snare drum, and a new set of Congas. In addition to the JSEF funds, the Philadelphia Freedom Band spent approximately $2,300 on these purchases. We are extremely thankful for the support of Jon Sims Endowment Fund to obtain this necessary percussion equipment to expand our concert band repertoire.
Congratulations to the Philadelphia Freedom Band!