Alumni Jerome Lowenthal, piano, and Judith LeClair, bassoon, to perform at Settlement Music School Recital, February 3, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, PA. (Top40 Charts/ Settlement Music School) - The first concert of the School's Centennial Year will feature Distinguished Alumni Judith LeClair, Principal Bassoon of the New York Philharmonic and internationally recognized pianist Jerome (Jerry) Lowenthal performing works by Saint-Saens (Sonata for bassoon and piano), Ravel (Tombeau de Couperin, solo piano), Milhaud (three Saudades do Brazil, solo piano) Roger Boutry (Interferences 1, bassoon and piano) and Milde (Andante and Rondo, bassoon and piano). In addition to their performing career, LeClair and Lowenthal are both on the faulty of The Juilliard School in New York City.

The Alumni Series, funded in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the estate of Jean J. Sterne was created to showcase former students and celebrate the School's role in nurturing their talents. This series began three years ago in anticipation of the School's Centennial Anniversary Celebration this year. The Series continues Sunday, March 9, 2008 with Mezzo soprano Marietta Simpson, followed by pianist Leon Bates on October 5, 2008 and the Settlement Music School Jazz All-Stars led by bandleader Joe Sudler on November 16, 2008. All four recitals will use pianos provided by Jacob's Music as part of their Steinway Performance Spotlight Recital. Rohm and Haas Company is the Presenting Centennial Year Sponsor.

Settlement Music School, founded in 1908, is the largest community-based school of the arts in the United States, serving 15,000 students each year at six branches in two states. It provides people of all abilities, age, race and financial means with programs of the highest quality in music and dance to help them achieve their greatest potential and award nearly $2 million a year in financial aid. Close to 300,000 students have attended Settlement since 1908. It is the largest employer of musicians in the region, with more than 250 dedicated faculty members, most of whom have advanced degrees.