Two of Greater Philadelphia’s leading classical music organizations, Network for New Music and Settlement Music School, have joined forces to offer emergency food assistance to the families of Settlement Music School students at the Peter A. Benoliel Germantown Branch of Settlement, located at 6128 Germantown Ave.

The 43-day shutdown of the federal government eliminated the distribution of SNAP food assistance for more than 42 million Americans. The passage of a continuing resolution by both houses of Congress and its subsequent signing by President Donald Trump is only a temporary solution, since the resolution continues only until the end of January 2026. That means that unless further action is taken by Congress and the president, those 42 million Americans who are dependent upon SNAP’s food stamps to put food on their tables will find themselves in peril once again.

Network for New Music presents several of its performances throughout the concert season at the Germantown Branch of Settlement Music School. Its auditorium is one of the most commodious medium-size concert facilities in the region, and the school provides an ample, secure parking lot.

Explained Micah Jones, branch director at Germantown, “I can share that the Peter A. Benoliel Germantown Branch of Settlement Music School is delighted to be a partner with the Network for New Music. We love the opportunity to host in sharing the new works of our region’s longstanding and newest composers.

“The Network for New Music provides such a wonderful platform for these composers to contribute to the Philadelphia musical landscape, and as its Germantown neighbor, Settlement gets to share the results of their wonderful work. We hope to continue doing this for years to come.”

Network’s press release emphasized, “If you are in a position to donate nonperishable food items, please consider bringing them to our concert.” Network performed at the Germantown Branch of Settlement Music School Sunday, Nov. 9. It returns Feb. 20, 2025, with “Dark Whimsy: Edward Gorey at 100.” However, Settlement’s food drive for those of its families in need continues. For more information, visit settlementmusic.org or call 215-320-2610.

New Church Organ

One of Center City Philadelphia’s most prominent churches is St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, located on 20th Street, between Locust & Spruce Streets. The parish, the seat of the Order of Preachers (of St. Dominic, known as the Dominican Order), recently acquired a new Allen digital organ for the upper church, a spectacular example of Roman Basilica architecture that can seat a good 900.

I asked Father Jordan Kelly why an electronic organ was chosen rather than a pipe organ. He answered, “The pipe organ holds pride of place in the Roman Catholic Church and in the musical world. To deviate from honoring this proven tradition is not a decision that was made lightly. In the last several years, St. Patrick’s has considered seriously placing pipe organs in both the upper and lower churches.

“Three reasons led the congregation to a different decision: number one, space; number two, the condition of the upper church; and number three, finances. While there is significant space in the upper church for a pipe organ, currently the HVAC in the upper church is not functional. Given the enormous financial resources the repair of the system requires, it did not seem prudent to place a pipe organ in a physically compromised space. Financially, the new design, or reconstructing of an existing pipe organ, plus retrofitting the pipe chambers was not possible for the parish.”

Kelly continued, “In choosing the Allen Organ Company, the parish wanted a warm, clear sound to fill the upper church, in leading the congregation in sung prayer, accompanying both the choir and cantors, and performing solo organ literature.”

The new organ in the upper church is part of the Rudy Lucente Designer Series, Kelly said. Rudy Lucente has spent his life as an organist and music director of parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He is one of the staff organists at the Wanamaker organ. Combining both his ecclesiastical and concert experiences, Rudy has chosen every sample on the organ, Kelly said.

Kelly mentioned the Wanamaker organ as the “default” sampling for St. Patrick’s new Allen, plus the Aeolian-Skinner organ at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Center City, and St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in Seattle as other contributors to the available registrations. The speakers that deliver the sound of the organ were designed by the Allen Company, and placed and installed by Owen Stadelle of Stadelle’s Allen Organ.

Summing up, Kelly said, “In the Spring of 2026, we hope to have a formal blessing and dedication of the organ with a series of organ recitals to follow. In part, the organ has been given by an anonymous donor in thanksgiving to St. Jude, the patron saint of impossible causes, for saving the donor’s son from a fatal cancer diagnosis.”

You can contact NOTEWORTHY at Michael-caruso@comcast.net.