Centennial Celebration, November 9

On November 9, the Music School was buzzing with excitement. Hundreds of students, families, and community members visited our Wilmington and Milford branches! Attendees heard over 130 musicians perform solo and in ensembles, dressed up in costumes in the photo booth, browsed our history, and tried their luck at a scavenger hunt. Children of all ages – even the “young at heart” – tried over 20 instruments!

This celebratory event encapsulated our mission perfectly and was filled with alumni reconnecting with each other and their teachers, new students meeting others, community members being introduced, and current and former board members coming together.

Sustain the energy of the Centennial Celebration by unlocking a $2026 match by a generous donor! The first $2026 given will usher us into the next year and century of music excellence and access for everyone! Your gifts of $25, $50, $100 or more will be matched dollar for dollar to say a final "Happy Birthday" to The Music School of Delaware and welcome a new year!
Help unlock our 2026 match!


“This is the first instrument petting zoo where a teacher guided the experience for my child—the personalized attention was unprecedented.”
Parent

“What a joyous time, we are excited about the future of The Music School of Delaware.”
Community member

“The Music School of Delaware is a dynamic, lively place.”
Community member

United States Representative Sarah McBride with a celebratory message for The Music School of Delaware community
Suzuki Academy students with faculty member Lionel Thomas President and CEO David J. Pacific with Delaware State Representative Nnamdi Chukwuocha
Suzuki Academy students with faculty member Lionel Thomas (left)
President and CEO David J. Pacific with Delaware State Representative Nnamdi Chukwuocha (right)
A visitor plays one of the exotic instruments in the Scavenger Hunt Simeone Tartaglione leads the Delaware Youth Symphony Orchestra strings
A visitor plays one of the exotic instruments in the Scavenger Hunt (left)
Simeone Tartaglione leads the Delaware Youth Symphony Orchestra strings (right)
Students enjoying the photo booth A young percussionist enjoys the drum petting zoo
Students enjoying the photo booth (left)
A young percussionist enjoys the drum petting zoo (right)
Director of Community and Operations Mary Jane Vanvestraut with Senator Dave Wilson, looking over the decades room at the Milford Branch Flute faculty member Margaret Swinchoski and friend at the photo booth at the Milford Branch
Director of Community and Operations Mary Jane Vanvestraut with Senator Dave Wilson, looking over the decades room at the Milford Branch (left)
Flute faculty member Margaret Swinchoski and friend at the photo booth at the Milford Branch (right)
Joseph Hodge leads the Wilmington Community Orchestra Music School current and former board members and staff
Joseph Hodge leads the Wilmington Community Orchestra (left)
Music School current and former board members and staff (right)
Guitar faculty member <b>Michael Raitzyk A prospective student plays the keyboard with his dad
Guitar faculty member Michael Raitzyk (left)
A prospective student plays the keyboard with his dad (right)
Faculty members (L-R) Paul Boris, Lionel Thomas, and Chris Braddock with Director of Development Jeana Beno A young visitor tries a cello with Cello faculty member Banu Fields
Faculty members (L-R) Paul Boris, Lionel Thomas, and Chris Braddock with Director of Development Jeana Beno (left)
A young visitor tries a cello with Cello faculty member Banu Fields (right)
Faculty member Juanita Clendaniel with a young visitor at the Milford Branch exploring percussion Delaware Symphony Orchestra Music Director Michelle Di Russo browses the decades themed room at the Wilmington Branch showcasing 100 years of music excellence
Faculty member Juanita Clendaniel with a young visitor at the Milford Branch exploring percussion (left)
Delaware Symphony Orchestra Music Director Michelle Di Russo browses the decades themed room at the Wilmington Branch showcasing 100 years of music excellence (right)
Help unlock our 2026 match!


A combined photo of an ensemble from the 30s and the Delaware Youth Symphony Orchestra of the 2020s

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We invite you to share your memories and stories about the Music School from any time; class or lesson experiences, performing with your peers, the faculty that made a difference, the friends you made along the way!
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This organization is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.

The Music School of Delaware is proud to be an active partner in the IN Wilmington Arts Campaign.
 
Events at The Music School of Delaware