Music

Two pages of sheet music for the song Fight On Pennsylvania.

‘Fight On, Pennsylvania’ celebrates a century

One hundred years ago two Penn freshmen got together in a Quad dorm room and wrote the music and lyrics to a song they named “Fight On, Pennsylvania.” The University’s official fight song became a tradition at football games, and today is played thousands of times a year.

Louisa Shepard ・

Metal sculptures with lettering

Fall into the arts

An active time of year for the arts community, the University’s fall arts and culture offerings range from a sculpture exhibit from Jaume Plensa, at Arthur Ross Gallery, to a viewing garden along the Rail Park.

Brandon Baker ・

Three people sitting on high stools on a stage surrounded by windows, two playing guitars and one speaking or singing into a microphone.

Woodstock at 50

During three days of Woodstock in August of 1969, Anthony DeCurtis of the School of Arts and Sciences was 18, growing up in New York City and obsessed with the music that would form the foundation of his writing and teaching.

Louisa Shepard ・

Student standing on steps of the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.

Stage presence

Senior music major Leo Sarbanes has become a leading voice on the little-known opera “The Love for Three Oranges” during his summer internship with Opera Philadelphia.

Louisa Shepard ・

Rosanne Cash speaking at microphone at table with professor Al Filreis looking at her and smiling.

A life of writing and song

Rosanne Cash, a Kelly Writers House Fellow, was on campus for a course taught by English Professor Al Filreis that focuses on three eminent writers each spring semester.  

Louisa Shepard ・

Group of students and professor gathered at monument with mountain in back.

Seeing, hearing, and encountering post-apartheid South Africa

A Penn Global Seminar course taught by Carol Muller took the 16 undergraduates to South Africa to explore that nation's history and post-apartheid present day through music and culture. The students demonstrated the impact of the journey through final projects including a painting, a written paper, a poem, a film, a photo essay, a musical score—even a set of political cartoons.

Louisa Shepard ・



Media Contact


Louisa Shepard

Louisa Shepard Senior News Officer
lshepard@upenn.edu

In the News


Philadelphia Tribune

Preparing the archives: Sun Ra comes to Kislak Center

Samantha Hill of Penn Libraries discusses the recent acquisition of two collections of archival materials by Sun Ra, a prolific jazz musician and forefather to the Afrofuturist movement.

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CNN

The female rappers we can’t get enough of

Jasmine Henry of the School of Arts & Sciences says that the success of Sugar Hill Records and “Rapper’s Delight,” both created by entrepreneur Sylvia Robinson, significantly contributed to mainstream acceptance of hip-hop.

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The Hill

White House unveils ‘stunning vegetarian menu’ for Modi state dinner

The South Asian a cappella group Penn Masala will perform at the state dinner for India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.

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Chilean North American Institute

American Spaces on air — Penn Glee Club

During a tour in Chile, members of the Penn Glee Club are interviewed on a podcast of the Chilean North American Institute.

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Philadelphia Sunday Sun

‘Be Holding’ dives into Black genius and joy

“Be Holding,” a poetry performance that seeks to heal grieving Black families, was directed by Brooke O’Harra and composed by Tyshawn Sorey, both of the School of Arts & Sciences.

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Indian Express

Mumbai this week: New Manav Kaul play, concert by Lucky Ali and a wine-tasting festival

Penn Masala, an undergraduate student group touted as the world’s first South Asian ‘a cappella’ group, is performing in Mumbai this weekend.

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