MISSION

The Common Place Orchestra

byDr.JosephKauffman, Artistic Director of Music Transforms and TCPO

Almost ten years ago, Wayne Presbyterian Church said ‘yes’ to revitalizing and restoring the historic building housing New Spirit Presbyterian Church (Now Salt & Light Church) in Southwest Philadelphia and began planting seeds that have continued to blossom at The Common Place.

The Common Place Orchestra (TCPO) is one of those seeds that is beginning to bear fruit. TCPO provides free string lessons and the string orchestra experience to the talented youth in Southwest Philadelphia. We believe an expressive musical spirit lives inside everyone, and we aim to help our students discover and liberate theirs through TCPO’s programming. Private string lessons are given to students during and after school, and the orchestra rehearses on Saturday mornings, but not before enjoying a delicious hot breakfast prepared in Carl’s Kitchen! On December 18th, after weeks of practicing and rehearsing, TCPO performed “Silent Night” during Salt & Light’s Christmas program, “Miracles on 58th Street.” At the conclusion of the performance, the sanctuary vibrated in thunderous applause. TCPO is certainly one of the miracles happening on 58th Street!

We were very proud of our students’ many accomplishments this past year. The ultimate measure of our work comes not only when we see our students perform, but also as we watch them grow intellectually, academically, and emotionally. If you would like to get involved or donate an instrument, please contact TCPO’s Operations Director, Nellie Kauffman, at elenasmith@thecommonplacephilly.org. If you would like to contribute financially, you may do so by supporting Music Transforms at WPC. https://www.shelbygiving.com/app/giving/wayne.

We are thankful to the Holy Spirit for blessing our program, and to the generous members of WPC for their prayers, instrument donations, and financial support.