NEPA Philharmonic To Present The Snowman in Concert The NEPA Philharmonic is excited to present The Snowman™ in Concert, presented by Magic93, on Saturday, December 20th at 7PM at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre: a NEW enchanting holiday event perfect for audiences of all ages! Two beloved and heartwarming animated short films, The Snowman™ and The Snowman & The Snowdog™ will be shown on the big screen while the Philharmonic performs the full accompaniment music LIVE, bringing the magical tale of a young boy and his snowman to life with rich, cinematic sound. Enhancing the festive spirit of the evening, the performance, under the direction of Music Director Mélisse Brunet, will feature guest vocal soloists from Marywood University—soprano Jocelyn Meyer, mezzo-soprano Beatrice Chindemi, and bass Marcel Sinclair—along with a special appearance by dancers from Scranton Civic Ballet and visits from Mr. and Mrs. Claus themselves! In addition to the films, the program will include joyful holiday sing-alongs, inviting families and community members to raise their voices together in seasonal favorites. “We are thrilled to bring this cherished holiday experience to our community,” says Executive Director, Chason Goldschmitz. “The combination of live orchestra, film, dance, singing, and family-friendly holiday fun makes this one of the most magical events of the season!” Additionally, the NEPA Philharmonic is excited to partner for this concert with Silent Sound Systems to provide sensory- and deaf-accessible accommodations to recipients of the Philharmonic’s Angel Ticket program, which harnesses community support into free concert tickets to individuals in need across the community, distributed via local nonprofits. Silent Sound Systems will also have live demonstrations of their BASSpak and headphones for all audience members, in the lobby before the concert and at intermission. The NEPA Philharmonic’s 2025-2026 season is presented by PNC, with the Movie series presented by the Thalenfeld Family Foundation and the Pops series presented by Dr. Seth & Carolyn Fisher. The Snowman™ in Concert is presented by Magic93, with additional support from Highmark Blue Cross, Munley Law, and Silent Sound Systems. Philharmonic Box Office: (570) 270-4444 Click here to find more information.
The NEPA Philharmonic Extends Mélisse Brunet and Presents Mozart’s Requiem The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic continues its (Candle)LIT Festival with candlelit performances of Mozart’s Requiem in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton on October 23 and 24, as the orchestra celebrates and proudly announces that Music Director Mélisse Brunet has extended her contract through June 2029, cementing her leadership and vision through the 2028-29 season. Maestra Brunet leads the orchestra and the Marywood University Concert Choir on Thursday, October 23 at 7:00pm at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre, and Friday, October 24 at 7:00pm at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Scranton, bringing repeat Philharmonic classical concerts to both cities for the first time in nearly a decade. This is the second concert program of the Philharmonic’s (Candle)LIT Festival, illuminating concerts from October 18 through December 6 with hundreds of electric candles in intimate settings. Preceding the Requiem on these short, no-intermission concerts will be Chorale for Strings by the late Ukrainian composer Hanna Havrylets, who died at the beginning of the current Russo-Ukrainian War. The concerts are presented in memory of the late John F. Magagna, a long-time Philharmonic supporter. The 2025–26 season also celebrates Brunet’s tenth anniversary with the orchestra—a decade during which she has significantly raised the Philharmonic’s artistic profile. “After 10 years working for the organization, from Apprentice Conductor to Music Director, I’m absolutely elated to stay for another 3 years in our community that I love so much,” says Brunet. “It is a true joy to work with our outstanding and stellar musicians, and it is my hope that everyone can come to one of our concerts this season. Our new Executive Director, our staff, and our entire Board of Directors are working relentlessly and with great passion to bring music to everyone, from all horizons of life. Thank you all for your support and love, and I look forward to seeing you at the hall!” “Mélisse Brunet has the rare ability to make world-class artistry feel personal—one moment she’s commanding the orchestra and the next she’s kneeling beside schoolchildren,” says Adam Thalenfeld, NEPA Philharmonic Board President. “This is the exact spirit we want for our orchestra, and for this community. She pushes our musicians to perform at their highest level while reminding us that music is meant to be shared, not guarded. The Board of Directors and I could not be more thrilled to have her at the helm for another three years as we grow our education programs, expand our audiences, and continue to prove that great symphonic music belongs to and should be enjoyed by everyone.” “The Board and Staff of the Philharmonic are thrilled by Maestra Brunet’s continued role as our Music Director,” says Chason Goldschmitz, NEPA Philharmonic Executive Director. “Philharmonic concerts are growing, educational programs are expanding, and new community projects are on the horizon, all driven by her creative, imaginative, and devoted artistic leadership and transformative programming. Working with Mélisse is an absolute joy and privilege, and her artistry and vision is one we are incredibly fortunate to have for our orchestra and for the Northeastern Pennsylvania region.” The Mozart Requiem concerts hold a special significance to the Philharmonic, honoring both the continued leadership of Maestra Brunet and the philanthropic legacy of long-time supporter John F. Magagna, in two unforgettable evenings of light, music, and celebration. As the next concerts under Brunet’s baton, (Candle)LIT Mozart’s Requiem will showcase the Marywood University Concert Choir, prepared by choral director Rick Hoffenberg; organist Mark Laubach; and rising-star guest soloists Jessica Leigh, Inayah Raheem, Dylon Crain, and Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Artist Sunghoon Han. Audiences can expect a deeply moving journey through Mozart’s final masterpiece, blending drama and profound introspection. The 2025-26 Philharmonic season is presented by PNC, and the Requiem concerts are presented as part of the Thalenfeld Symphony Series. (Candle)LIT Mozart’s Requiem is additionally sponsored by Paul & Adrienne Horger and JPMorgan Chase. Tickets are available at nepaphil.org or via the Philharmonic box office at (570) 270-4444.
Scranton Area Community Foundation, Women in Philanthropy Awards $35,000 to Local Nonprofits Women in Philanthropy (WIP), the initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation that focuses on empowering and transforming the lives of women and girls in the Lackawanna County region, proudly announces the recipients of its 2025 grants cycle. After a competitive grant process, $35,000 in grant funding was awarded to seven local nonprofit organizations. The awards were announced during the Women in Philanthropy Spring Grants Meeting held at the Hilton Scranton on Thursday evening, May 8, 2025. The recipients included Penn State Scranton (Financial Literacy Lunch & Learn Series for High School Students), Scranton School District (Girls in STEM), Scranton Primary Health Care Center (Confident Smiles Program), Providence Pregnancy Center (Casa de Maria Renovations), Black Scranton (Black Maternal Health Awareness), CASA of Lackawanna County, and The Philharmonic Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania (RxArts NEPA), all to support innovative projects and programs that work to transform the lives of women or girls across the Northeastern Pennsylvania region. The grant award recipients and amounts were selected during the Spring Grants Meeting by Women in Philanthropy supporters, who had the opportunity to vote after hearing presentations from each nonprofit organization. Women in Philanthropy (WIP) is a collective of more than 125 dedicated supporters committed to transforming the lives of women and girls in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Since its launch in 2014, this initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation has raised over $2 million and partnered with nearly 30 community organizations to create a measurable, lasting impact across the region. Women in Philanthropy proudly advances economic mobility in the area by addressing barriers to success, fostering leadership, and helping women build financial stability and independence. To learn more or become a supporter, visit www.supportnepawomen.org. Penn State Scranton accepts a Women in Philanthropy grant to support its Financial Literacy Lunch & Learn Series for high school students. Pictured from left: Amy Betts, Community Impact Manager, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Desiree Voitek, Senior Director of Campus Development, Penn State Scranton; Nonna Sorokina, Assistant Professor, Penn State Scranton; and Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation. Scranton School District students accept a Women in Philanthropy grant supporting the Girls in STEM program. Pictured from left: Ellen Burkey, Board Chair, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation; students Hazel Pacheco, Aryanee Sanchez, and Mirka Richeme; and Katona Miller, STEM Program Supervisor, Scranton School District. Scranton Primary Health Care Center receives a Women in Philanthropy grant to support the Confident Smiles Program, providing restorative dental care to women in need. Pictured from left: Ellen Burkey, Board Chair, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Joseph Hollander, CEO, Scranton Primary Health Care Center; and Amy Betts, Community Impact Manager, Scranton Area Community Foundation. Providence Pregnancy Center accepts a Women in Philanthropy grant to support renovations to Casa de Maria, a safe and supportive housing space for women. Pictured from left: Ellen Burkey, Board Chair, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Anne O’Brien, Heather Murphy, Cecelia Carr, and Jessica Freyne, Providence Pregnancy Center; and Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation. Black Scranton receives a Women in Philanthropy grant to support Black Maternal Health Awareness programming. Pictured from left: Ellen Burkey, Board Chair, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Glynis Johns, Founder and CEO, Black Scranton; and Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation. CASA of Lackawanna County receives a Women in Philanthropy grant to support advocacy efforts for children in the foster care system. Pictured from left: Brittany Pagnotti, Director of Donor Relations and Communications, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Donna Kurzweil, CASA volunteer; Joan Peterson, Executive Director, CASA of Lackawanna County; and Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic receives a Women in Philanthropy grant to support the RxArts NEPA program, promoting healing through music and the arts. Pictured from left: Christine Zike, Board of Directors and VP of Development, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic; Chason Goldschmitz, Executive Director, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic; and Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation.
