Birdsboro resident Brendan Burke recently played in the grand finale concert of the Pre-College Summer Jazz Institute at the University of the Arts. The Daniel Boone High School student was one of nearly 60 top high school jazz musicians from across the country to participate in the two-week residential program.
The students showed off their exceptional skills in a grand finale concert for their teachers – all University of the Arts faculty members – as well as families, friends and others. Students from four different ensembles performed, including a big band directed by Matt Gallagher, Lars Halle Band directed by Lars Halle, “Micelinous” directed by Tony Miceli, and a vocal ensemble directed by Justin Binek. All four ensembles performed three to four songs each.
Local philanthropists Kal and Lucille Rudman kicked off the performance with the presentation of an oversized check for $20,000. The Rudman’s support over the past several years has provided scholarships that allow dozens of top pre-college musicians to take part in the annual two-week summer program.
The University of the Arts Summer Institute affords high school students from across the United States the opportunity to study the visual, media and performing arts. Classes include jazz music, art history, digital photography, book arts, animation, computer game design, screen directing, acting, stage combat and dance, among others.
The University of the Arts is the nation’s first and only university dedicated to the visual, performing and communication arts. Its 2,400 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs on its campus in the heart of Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts. The institution’s roots as a leader in educating creative individuals date back to 1868.
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News Media Contact: Kevin Kaufman, Media Relations Manager
215/717-6504 (office), 215/651-6551 or kkaufman@uarts.edu
Tags: Arts