The Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music, in partnership with Play on Philly (POP), is thrilled to announce the second installment of our Edwin A. Fleisher Scholarship! 

We love this partnership because POP echoes Edwin Fleisher’s original concept in 1909 of assisting young Philadelphians with their musical education through his pioneering Symphony Club. POP's exemplary programs and initiatives show K–12 students who lack access to music education how life skills and academic achievement can be enhanced through music.

In recognition of POP’s Marian Anderson Young Artist Program, the Fleisher Collection committed to providing one Anderson Artist with a $1,000 scholarship. A new Anderson Artist will be selected each year through 2029. Notably, 2029 is the centennial anniversary of Edwin Fleisher’s donation to the Free Library of Philadelphia, creating the Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music. 

The 2025 recipient of the Edwin A. Fleisher Collection Scholarship is Keith Holmes. Keith plays the tuba and is enrolled in the University of Maryland, pursuing a degree in Music Education. As principal tubist of the Play on Philly Children’s Orchestra, Keith has recorded and/or premiered works by noted composers like Iman Habibi, Kerwin Young, and Erika Oba. He has also performed at a live taping of PBS’s Tell Me More with Kelly Corrigan and in side-by-side concerts with Haverford and Swarthmore College Orchestras, Canadian Brass, the US Marine Corps Band, and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Keith has participated in several regional and national festivals.

Our sincere congratulations to Keith, who wrote to us, "I feel as though young people need to be the ones most involved in art as they are going to be the ones carrying the torch for the future of art in Philadelphia." He added, "I think that living in this city full of art and the opportunities to learn art really helped make my decision to become an artist [as a career] and I believe that the more we get the youth involved, and serious about pursuing the arts, the easier it will be to keep the reputation of this city strong."

We couldn’t agree more! Keith is pursuing Music Education at the University of Maryland starting in the Fall 2025 semester. We love a full-circle moment and hope to see Keith teaching in a few years. We anticipate exciting things as he continues his musical journey! 

Read about last year's scholarship recipient, Rhyuhn Green.

About the Marian Anderson Young Artist Program

POP launched the Marian Anderson Young Artist Program in memory of world-renowned contralto and Philadelphia daughter, Marian Anderson. The program supports students, also known as Anderson Artists, in their musical studies through private lessons, individual advisement, instrument loans, and college and career counseling.

This program aims to serve those individuals whose communities have historically been excluded from the highest levels of musical excellence due to structural barriers in our country. Anderson Artists and their families commit themselves to the dedication necessary to excel in the fields of classical and jazz music. Anderson Artists’ programming is tuition-free for accepted students; a registration fee is required upon acceptance.