PPL Corp. has recently contributed $15,000 to Allentown Symphony’s education programs. PPL’s gift, made through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, will support its educational and social initiative, El Sistema Lehigh Valley, in addition to the Symphony’s other music education programs for youth.

“PPL is committed to improving the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” said Carol Obando-Derstine, PPL Electric Utilities’ regional affairs director. “A well-rounded education for our community’s children today will help them become the creative workforce of the future.”

Pennsylvania-based businesses can earn tax credits by contributing to Allentown’s Symphony EITC-approved education programs. Qualified programs include its Master Class Series, Young Musician String Festival, and Traveling Instrument Zoo.

El Sistema Lehigh Valley provides 100 economically disadvantaged children at Roosevelt Elementary School and South Mountain Middle School with free music study and instruments. It offers two hours of professional teaching instruction each day of school and a month-long summer session.

Studies have shown creating, performing and responding to music improves students’ chances for success in school and life,” said Sheila Evans, Executive Director. “PPL’s leadership gift has made it possible for us to provide free arts education for young people in the impoverished neighborhood of East Allentown as well as throughout the Lehigh Valley.”

The Allentown Symphony’s education programs reach more than 11,000 children per year, including advanced master classes from world class artists who perform at Miller Symphony Hall, to an Annual Youth String Festival with the ASO, and an instrument collection that travels to schools and festivals. Its major educational initiative is El Sistema, which provides a free opportunity for more than 100 students to study music as part of a daily after-school program at Roosevelt Elementary School and South Mountain Middle School, which are Title I schools in the Allentown School District.

El Sistema Lehigh Valley meets for two hours each day after school and for a month in the summer. It has 115 neighborhood students enrolled at Roosevelt Elementary School and South Mountain Middle School, which are two United Way Community Schools in the Allentown School District. Two full-time teaching artists and four part-time teaching artists provide stringed instrument and choir instruction. The Symphony raises funds for the program on an annual basis. The Allentown School District provides after-school snacks, space and busing.

The mission of the Allentown Symphony Association is to provide a first-class symphony orchestra and Hall, quality performing arts, and cultural education in partnership with the community. The Allentown Symphony Orchestra is the leading symphonic ensemble in the Lehigh Valley. Under the leadership of Music Director-Conductor Diane Wittry, the Allentown Symphony performs nine Subscription Concerts each year in Allentown’s historic, 1,125-seat Miller Symphony Hall. In addition to a classical and pops concerts, the orchestra also performs Educational, Youth and Family Concerts that reach more than 5,000 children each year.

PPL Corp., headquartered in Allentown, is one of the largest companies in the United States’ utility sector. PPL’s seven utilities, including PPL Electric Utilities, which provides electric service in Pennsylvania, serve 10 million customers in the U.S. and United Kingdom. The company has 13,000 employees.