Settlement gets new music director

On their first day of school students at Settlement Music School in Germantown  can expect a new face. On Thursday, September 8, Eric Anderson will take over as the new branch director. Germantown is one of six Settlement Music School branches dedicated to teaching adults and children music, dance and visual arts. The school offers students $2 million in financial aid every year and boasts 325 faculty members with degrees in music. Patricia Manley, the current Germantown branch director at 6128 Germantown Avenue, is transferring to the recently built Willow Grove branch where she will hold the same position as director. The new Willow Grove branch at 318 Davisville Road opened January 3 this year. It replaces the old Jenkintown location at 515 Meetinghouse Road. Eric Anderson served as director at the Mary Louise Curtis branch of Settlement Music School in South Philadelphia for 24 years, but has already embraced his new home at Germantown. “Even though I have a long history with the school as an administrator I hope that I’ll be able to look at the branch and the neighborhood with fresh eyes and bring a renewed sense of purpose to the people of the Germantown branch,”  stated Anderson. As he settles into the branch, he hopes to “push to develop closer relationships” with public, parochial, private and charter schools, as well as churches and more community organizations. Germantown Settlement students and faculty can also look forward to a renovated lobby and parking lot this year.