Saturday, February 1st, 2025
Registration - All participants must arriveat The Platt Center for Student Performing Arts on the Penn Campus by 8:30 AM on Saturday, February 1st, 2025. 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.
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.
A music lyre is strongly suggested.
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 sousaphone, one will be provided.
Percussionists are encouraged to bring their own sticks, but can also be provided, if needed; all percussion will be provided.
Dinner - The Penn Band will be providing a pizza dinner for all participants. If you have any dietary restrictions, please inform us ahead of time so that accommodations can be made.
Attire - Participants are asked to dress "casual and comfortable" for rehearsal during the day. Uniform for performance at the Palestra will be dark blue jeans, white sneakers and white socks, and a Penn Athletics T-Shirt that will be provided at Registration.
Part Assignments - We have constructed a challenging and fun repertoire for the Palestra 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 for Saturday February 1st, 2025
8:00 AM
Doors to Platt Center Open –
Registration
All participants must arrive by 8:30AM
Brown Bag Lunch strongly suggested
Music Distributed
REMEMBER YOUR PERMISSION SLIPS!
8:45 AM – 4:00 PM
Full Ensemble Rehearsal – Band Room
45 min lunch break
Intermittent breaks throughout the day
Intermittent Workshops and activities
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Pizza and Facepainting at the Platt Center; prepare to depart.
5:00PM
Depart Platt Center
5:15 PM
Warm-up, rehearse, and tune at Palestra; perform till tipoff
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
National Anthem, then Game begins!
Men’s Basketball – Penn vs Yale.
*Students will be allowed (and encouraged) to depart from the Palestra with their parents at the end of the game; otherwise, group will return to the Platt Center by 8:30PM for pickup
TICKETS FOR PARENTS AND GUESTS: Discounted tickets to the basketball game will be made available, TBA.
Snow Contingency - In the case of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled. A determination will be made the day before and updated information will be available both on this website, and on a recorded message at 215-898-8719.
Driving Directions to the University of Pennsylvania
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.
To get to the Palestra, 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. (at the Wawa). You will pass the Quadrangle and then the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania on your right. At the 4th traffic light, turn left onto 33rd street. The Athletic Complex, including the Palestra, will be on your right. Event parking ($13) will be on the right one additional block further, past Walnut Street on 33rd Street.
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!
