Chester County Youth Orchestra Benefit Concert for Upper Darby Schoener Music Fund

The Chester County Youth Orchestra (CCYO) will conduct its annual Benefit Concert on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, West Chester, PA.  The CCYO has a history of selecting a wide variety of organizations that provide support to those in need.  This year’s recipient is the Brad Schoener Memorial Music Fund.  The mission of the Schoener Fund is to support the musical abilities and aspirations of instrumental music students in the Upper Darby School District through the funding of instruments, instruction, and experiences to interested and talented students who might not otherwise have the opportunities due to personal circumstances.

CCYO is proud to support the Schoener Fund by donating the ticket sales proceeds to the fund.  “The music program that Brad created has a tremendous impact on the young students in the Upper Darby school district”, said Patrick Miller, CCYO Board member.  “In addition, many of our student musicians donate their time and talents and will perform at the 4th Annual Schoener Music Marathon on May 19, 2012”, commented Patrick Miller.  “We are thrilled to have been selected by the CCYO as the beneficiary of their annual concert, said Jen Schoener, Chairperson of the Brad Schoener Memorial Fund.  “I have had the pleasure of enjoying the wonderful music that these young people perform every year, remarked Jen Schoener, and these are some of the best student musicians in Chester County – their support could not come at a more critical time as we are fighting the elimination of music in the curriculum at the elementary level in the Upper Darby School District due to budgetary constraints. Outstanding students from two different counties joining together to share their passion of the music -- this year’s Schoener Music Marathon will reflect the Unity of the Arts across the districts.”

The CCYO provides an opportunity for students in grades 6-12 to experience the joy of making music with a full symphony orchestra, and allows them to meet fellow musicians from school districts across Chester County. The Orchestra is sponsored by the Chester County Intermediate Unit.  Past recipients of the annual benefit concert have been, The Lord’s Pantry in Downingtown and the Heidi and Cole Hamels Foundation.  The concert, open to the public, begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available at the door for $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students.