All City Orchestra Summer Academy (ACOSA) is the Mann’s premier summer orchestra training camp for young instrumentalists. The Mann Center, in partnership with The Philadelphia Orchestra, the School District of Philadelphia, Project 440, The Lyra Society, and Network for New Music, annually collaborate to facilitate this high-quality orchestra training experience at zero cost to local students. ACOSA is designed to serve students 6th grade to 12th grade and to provide a growth opportunity, guiding students to work on technical playing skills throughout the summer.
ACOSA is a three week camp with two different programs. Weeks one and two are traditional full orchestra weeks, while week three focuses on jazz music. Students may choose one or both of the two options.
When is the Academy?
2025 Dates:
Please check back for 2025 dates and information.
How many students get in?
While there is not a limit set for the number of students accepted into the program, ACOSA requires the diverse breakdown of instrumentation as is standard to an orchestra.
Our goal is to facilitate an orchestra comprised of up to 100 musicians.
What is “Summer slide?”
“Summer slide” is the tendency for students, especially those from low-income families, to lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year. Most students lose two months of mathematical skills every summer, and low-income children typically lose another two to three months in reading1. Furthermore, this loss compounds year-after-year, meaning, for every summer without access to educational resources, the achievement gap grows larger and larger between students.
Preventing summer slide is most effective when community organizations work together to encourage kids to read, practice their instrument, dribble a basketball, or generally engage with whatever it is they are passionate about2. Utilizing the summer months as a time to stay sharp on a respective skill is paramount to combatting summer slide.
How do I apply?
Please check back for 2025 registration information.
What if I am not a student from the Greater Philadelphia area. Can I still apply?
If you are a student from outside of the Greater Philadelphia area, please give us a call or send us an email. We’d love to learn more about your situation and see if we can help you in becoming an instrumental part of the All City Orchestra Summer Academy.
Email: Education@MannCenter.org
More Information
For more information on the All City Orchestra Summer Academy, please contact Naomi Gonzalez, Chief Education, Community Engagement Officer & Vice President, at Education@MannCenter.org.