Acclaimed Mezzo-soprano Marietta Simpson to perform at Settlement Music School's Distinguished Alumni Recital, Sunday, March 9, 3pm Independence Seaport Museum, Penn's Landing

PHILADELPHIA, PA. (Top 40 Charts/ Settlement Music School) - Settlement 100 Honorees continue to be celebrated at the second alumni concert of Settlement Music School's Centennial Year as acclaimed mezzo-soprano Marietta Simpson graces the stage to perform works by Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, Duke Ellington and her sister, noted musician and composer Evelyn Simpson Curenton. Ms. Curenton will accompany her on piano. A reception with the artists follows the performance. In addition to her performing career, Ms. Simpson, a Settlement 100 Honoree selected this year, is also on the faculty of Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music.

The Alumni Series, funded in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the estate of Jean J. Sterne was created to showcase former students and celebrate the School's role in nurturing their talents. This series began three years ago in anticipation of the School's Centennial Anniversary Celebration this year. The Series continues Sunday, October 5, 2008 with a concert by pianist Leon Bates followed by the Settlement Music School Jazz All-Stars led by bandleader Joe Sudler on November 16, 2008. All recitals will use pianos provided by Jacob's Music as part of their Steinway Performance Spotlight Recital. Rohm and Haas Company is the Presenting Centennial Year Sponsor.

Settlement Music School, founded in 1908, is the largest community-based school of the arts in the United States, serving 15,000 students each year at six branches in two states. It provides people of all abilities, age, race and financial means with programs of the highest quality in music and dance to help them achieve their greatest potential and award nearly $2 million a year in financial aid. Close to 300,000 students have attended Settlement since 1908. It is the largest employer of musicians in the region, with more than 250 dedicated faculty members, most of whom have advanced degrees.