The Penn Band was recognized by Musicopia, a local non-profit organization that offers assemblies, residencies, instrument instruction and performance opportunities in underserved communities and schools. Musicopia presented the Penn Band with the Inspire Award last month at the annual Thank You Reception and String Orchestra Winter Concert and award ceremony hosted by the Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute.

For the past three years, the Penn Band has assisted Musicopia by offering spaces at Penn’s High School Summer Band Camp to students involved in Musicopia-supported percussion ensembles in Philadelphia. In addition, alumni from the Band have sponsored a fundraising campaign that covers the tuition and residency costs so participating Musicopia students can fully enjoy Penn’s week-long overnight summer band camp experience.

The student leaders who make up the Band’s Fanfare Honor Society take the initiative to organize local school visits, fundraising and instrument drives. Additionally, the annual West Philadelphia Halloween Parade is led exclusively by students, namely the Penn Band’s drumline.