HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES: 6-Week Program Gives Local Youth A Voice

DOMINIC MCFADDEN and PhillyRising Collaborative rock on for audience of thrilled youngsters at Point Breeze concert. Event signaled launch of training program for youth in music production and industry skills.

by Rory McGlasson

Could the next Marian Anderson, John Coltrane, Boyz II Men – or even the next Kenny Gamble – rise from the streets of South Philly?

Thanks to an innovative music program, the next music tycoon could be homegrown.

During the next six weeks, the Wilson Park Recreation Center,  2508 Jackson Street, will be home to a music-recording studio  where young people will receive training from industry professionals.

To kick off the program, the PhillyRising Collaborative hosted a concert last weekend with Philadelphia-based performers, such as Rell.

Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Philadelphia Housing Authority Executive Director Michael Kelly and the PhillyRising Collaborative announced the Philadelphia Youth Music Program — a new initiative to give young people the opportunity to develop skills in music recording, engineering, sound setup and production.

“Philadelphia is a city that has raised world-class performers such as Teddy Pendergrass, Marian Anderson, John Coltrane, Boyz II Men and The Roots,” said the Mayor. “But for every performer, there are dozens who helped them to succeed. Becoming trained in music production is a marketable skill that young people in the Point Breeze neighborhood can learn about right in their backyard.

PYMP will be managed by PhillyRising and Dominic Mcfadden of McFadden Music Productions. Music production training will be provided by professionals donating their time to PYMP including members of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Grammy Association, producers and engineers of major record label executives, and sound and stage professionals. Program participants will include young people who are PHA residents, currently in the juvenile justice system, or living in the Point Breeze neighborhood.

“PHA is thrilled to partner with the City and local music professionals to open the Philadelphia Youth Music Program at our Wilson Park development. I want to thank Mayor Nutter, the PhillyRising Collaborative and McFadden Music Productions for their hard work and commitment to improving neighborhoods,” said PHA Executive Director Michael P. Kelly. “One of our goals at PHA is to provide our residents with opportunities for training and advancement. Programs like this enrich the lives of participants and offer youth a start on the road to a fulfilling music career.”

The Wilson Park Recreation Center was rehabilitated by PHA in 2005 and includes a ballet quality dance studio, video recording equipment, a computer center, basketball court, culinary facility and outdoor amphitheater with sound and video presentation. Through its partnership with PhillyRising, PHA is making the facility accessible to at-risk youth throughout South Philadelphia.

Saturday’s concert performers were Rell, who is also the recording artist of PhillyRising’s theme song, Julien ‘Believe’ Thompson, Megan Nicolle, David Stevens, PHI.GI and LP Stiles.

Dominic Mcfadden, of Mcfadden Productions, said, “I am looking forward to working with these young people and teaching the skills they’ll need to participate in the music industry. This studio is top of the line, and it will be a safe place for these young people to discover the joys of music.”

PhillyRising has designed a monthly schedule of youth-related activities in South Philadelphia to address the community’s request to create more youth programming. Community members stressed that the lack of youth engagement in Point Breeze has resulted more young people engaging in violent crime.  Based on these insights, PhillyRising organized stakeholders with the following resources: available facilities to conduct programming and volunteers to run the programs. PhillyRising now has initiated a free monthly movie night at the Dixon House, the Rising Sons after-school and college prep programs, Point Breeze PAL center, Christian Street YMCA Young Achievers program and many other activities through collaborations with the Dept. of Parks & Recreation.

“PhillyRising is about working with the available resources in the neighborhood to effect positive change, and PYMP is an example of how creative we can be when we work together,” said Deputy Mayor and Managing Director Rich Negrin. “John Farrell and his team are doing wonderful work in this neighborhood and in communities across the city, and I’m looking forward to seeing what these young people can accomplish when they are given the tools to make top quality music.”