PHILADELPHIA -The University of Pennsylvania Music Department and the Philadelphia Orchestra are tuning up to make beautiful music together -- not in concert halls but in College Houses.

Philadelphia Orchestra musicians will be coming to the Penn campus to give informal recitals for students "where they live" as part of the Orchestra Raising the Invisible Curtain Program.

"Penn is unique among area universities in that, through our College House Music Program, students can get music lessons in their dorms," said Cristle Collins Judd, associate professor of music and associate department chair for performance.  "Now we are the first institution with which the Orchestra is piloting a program to bring some of the best musicians in the greater Philadelphia area to students living in these College Houses."

The program began to take shape recently when several of the Orchestra younger members expressed their desire to reach out to area college students who might not regularly attend Philadelphia Orchestra concerts.

Orchestra members will present three informal concerts on campus in the 2005-06 academic year as part of Penn's "Music from the Houses" series.

Orchestra Music Animateur Thomas Cabaniss and Orchestra musicians will also coach and support members of Penn student chamber ensembles to help them develop new and creative ways to engage their young audiences at West Philadelphia elementary schools.