Saturday January 11th, 2025
Registration | All participants must arrive at The Platt Center for Student Performing Arts on the Penn Campus by 8:30AM on Saturday, January 13th, 2024. The Platt Center is located at the corner of 38th and Spruce Streets in the Stouffer Commons building. Use the entrance off the Plaza, located between the entrance to the Quadrangle and Five Guys Restaurant. Follow the link on this website for driving directions and parking information. All parts of the Penn Campus are within a 15-minute walk of the Platt Center. This year's concert event will be held at St Mary's Church at Penn at 3916 Locust Walk on the Penn Campus.
What to Bring | All participants are expected to bring their own instrument, as well as consumables (reeds, valve oil, etc.) for use during the day. All instruments must be well-labeled with the participants name and high school, in the event the instrument is lost and found. If Tuba players cannot supply a concert-quality instrument (no sousaphones), please contact the Penn Band so that arrangements can be made. Percussionists will be contacted individually about what sticks to bring; all percussion will be provided.
Brown Bag Lunch | All participants are asked to bring a brown-bag lunch. Alternatively, several nearby restaurants on the 3700 block and a Wawa will be available for lunch. The Penn Band will be providing a Pizza dinner for all participants - if you have any dietary restrictions, please inform us the morning of registration so that accommodations can be made.
Concert Attire | Participants are asked to dress "casual and comfortable" for rehearsals during the day. Changing Rooms will be provided for participants to change into appropriate attire for the Concert that evening. Concert Attire for Gentleman: Dark slacks, dress shoes, white collar shirt, and tie, jacket. Concert Attire for Ladies: Dark slacks or skirt, dress shoes, white blouse, or dark dress.
Part Assignments | We have constructed a challenging and fun repertoire for the 2024 Honor Band. Some of the music will be mailed to the students via their Directors ahead of time, and some of the music will be sight-read. Chairs will not be assigned - instead, a "share the wealth" strategy will be employed to distribute parts. For example, students who play 1st Trumpet on one piece will play 3rd trumpet on another piece, and vice versa. Every effort will be made to give every participant the opportunity to play a variety of different parts.
Schedule
The Concert:
The 2025 Band Extravaganza(!)
LOCATION St Mary's Church, 3916 Locust Walk, Philadelphia PA 19104
7:00 PM; Doors open at 6:30PM
Tickets to the Concert - The Concert is Free to the Public!
Driving Directions to the University of Pennsylvania
Platt Center: 3702 Spruce Street - Philadelphia, PA. 19104
From the Northeast via the New Jersey Turnpike South Take the NJ Turnpike South Exit #4 (NJ 73, Camden, Philadelphia) to NJ 73 North and then onto I-295 South. After passing Exit 28 on I-295 South, stay to your left and then merge onto I-76 Exit #26 (Philadelphia, Camden). After merging, stay to your left and look for I-76 Walt Whitman Bridge (Toll $3). Cross the bridge into Philadelphia proceed on I-76 West, the Schuylkill Expressway. Follow I-76 West to the Exit at University Avenue (exit 346B). Follow University Ave through three sets of traffic lights, to a left bend in the road. You will go under a black railroad tressel with the Penn insignia on it; at the next traffic light you can go either right (Civic Center Blvd) or straight (University Ave). See below on how to get to either the Platt Center or the Palestra from this point.
From the West via the Pennsylvania Turnpike
On the PA turnpike, use Exit 326, the Valley Forge Interchange. Take I-76 East for approximately 17 miles to the Exit at University Avenue (exit 346B). Bear right and follow University Ave. You will go under a black railroad tressel with the Penn insignia on it; at the next traffic light you can go either right (Civic Center Blvd) or straight (University Ave). See below on how to get to either the Platt Center or the Palestra from this point.
From the North via I-95 South
Use the I-676/Center City Philadelphia Exit. Follow signs to I-676 West, the Vine Street Expressway. Take I-676 West until I-76 East, the Schuylkill Expressway. Follow I-76 East to the Exit at University Avenue (exit 346B). Bear right and follow University Ave. You will go under a black railroad tressel with the Penn insignia on it; at the next traffic light you can go either right (Civic Center Blvd) or straight (University Ave). See below on how to get to either the Platt Center or the Palestra from this point.
From the South via I-95 North
Use the I-676/Center City Philadelphia Exit which is approximately 7 miles north of the airport. Follow I-676 West, the Vine Street Expressway, until I-76 East, the Schuylkill Expressway. Follow I-76 East to the Exit at University Avenue (exit 346B). Bear right and follow University Ave. You will go under a black railroad tressel with the Penn insignia on it; at the next traffic light you can go either right (Civic Center Blvd) or straight (University Ave). See below on how to get to either the Platt Center or the Palestra from this point.
To get to the Platt Student Performing Arts Center, stay straight on University Ave and pass an additional two traffic lights. Bear right onto 38th Street. Spruce Street will be at the next traffic intersection (Wawa is at the corner of 38th and Spruce Street). Make a right onto Spruce Street. The Platt Student Performing Arts Center is located at 3702 Spruce Street, adjacent to the Beijing Chinese Restaurant and SEPTA Subway stop. Enter the Platt Center and proceed down the stairs. Walk past the cabaret space and proceed down the hallway. At the end of the hallway is Room 182 - the Penn Band's Rehearsal Room. If you get lost, call 215-898-8719!
