Maestro Scaglione Honored by St. James School - PYO Music Institute

“The Sound & Spirit of St. James School” is the theme of this year’s 4th Annual Dr. Audrey Evans Scholarship Benefit taking place on Monday, May 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Union League of Philadelphia, Broad and Sansom Streets. Two honorees will be recognized by St. James School that truly embody this theme: Maestro Louis Scaglione, President and Music Director of PYO Music Institute (PYO) and the Peoples of St. Peter’s Church in The Great Valley, including Rev. Abigail Crozier-Nestlehutt, the Rector of the church.A festive celebration of 200 guests, the evening will include performances by the students, and a live auction in support of student scholarships. For ticket information, please visit https://stjamesphila.org/product/scholarship-benefit-tickets/

David J. Kasievich, Head of School, looks forward to focusing the spotlight on Scaglione and PYO as their program, Tune Up Philly, has provided music instruction and performance opportunities to their students and St. Peter’s Church in the Great Valley whose support since 2012 has been of great value and meaning to the school. He said, “Every day we hear students diligently practicing trumpet, violin and clarinet during Tune Up Philly rehearsals. As a tuition-free school serving students most in need, none of these experiences could be possible without the generous support of Louis Scaglione and St. Peter’s Church in The Great Valley. Thanks to their efforts and the support, we are transforming the lives of our students by removing barriers to a quality education.”

Maestro Scaglione launched St. James School’s partnership with Tune Up Philly, a music engagement program of the PYO Music Institute, where he has been President and Music Director for 21 years. Participation in PYO’s nationally recognized programs has a lifelong impact on students at varying levels of musical growth. With great appreciation to Maestro Scaglione’s leadership, St. James student musicians are flourishing. Deeply committed to culture and education in Greater Philadelphia, Maestro Scaglione also serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Philly Pops, the largest standalone Pops orchestra in America.

The People of St. Peter’s Church in the Great Valley and its leader, The Rev. Abigail Crozier-Nestlehutt, are vital partners in the St. James mission to provide an excellent, tuition-free education while living out an Episcopal identity. Through outreach grants, the church sponsors critical needs like summer programming and meals. Parishioners volunteer on a number of projects, from caring for the campus to assisting in the classroom to knitting scarves and hats for students every year.

About the St. James School Mission:

St. James School is a faith-based Philadelphia middle school in the Episcopal tradition, committed to educating traditionally under-resourced students in a nurturing environment. The school is a community that provides a challenging academic program and encourages the development of the moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical and creative gifts in its students. They leave St. James with the skills for charting their own educational and vocational future with the confidence and competency to transition from high school to any college or career they choose. For more information, visit www.stjamesphila.org.

About St. Peter’s Church in the Great Valley:

St. Peter’s Church in the Great Valley is a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania and home to around 500 people from all walks of life and spiritual journeys. As Episcopalians, they seek to know

God’s truth through the use of scripture, tradition, and reason, as well as through life experiences.  For more information, visit www.stpetersgv.org.