Astral Artistic Services
Changes Name to Astral Artists

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Effective immediately, Astral Artistic Services has changed its name to Astral Artists, and will continue to be referred to in short, as it has over the past 15 years, as Astral. Astral's Board of Directors approved the change, which was announced on April 4, 2008 at the concluding concert of Astral's 15th-anniversary season, in the Perelman Theater at Philadelphia's Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Additionally, the organization's new tag line was announced: A Vision for Classical Music.

"Astral has established itself over these past 15 years as an organization that attracts the highest quality of classical musicians," says Stuart Adair, Astral's Executive Director. "This name change better reflects the reason we exist: to support and spotlight our incredible roster of Astral Artists. And by helping to establish the newest generation of classical artists, we are creating a vision for the future of classical music."

Reporters and editors are encouraged to visit Astral's new website at www.astralartists.org for more information and to see Astral's new look.

ABOUT ASTRAL ARTISTS
No other organization in the United States offers emerging musicians the quality of community involvement and individualized career assistance that Astral does – and at no cost to its artists. Astral, in serving its one-of-a-kind mission, provides a career bridge for promising young classically trained artists who graduate from conservatories and music schools superbly trained as musicians, but who need to develop the community awareness, entrepreneurial skills, and professional relationships needed to shape a purposeful classical music career.

Each year, Astral's assistance is awarded to emerging world-class instrumentalists, small chamber ensembles, and singers chosen by an esteemed panel of judges through a rigorous audition process. Once accepted onto Astral's roster, artists are provided with the best individualized career development resources and artistic support necessary for success on and off the traditional concert stage. Specifically, Astral artists are given practical business advice; presented in high-profile recital and solo performances in Philadelphia, New York City, and beyond; and opportunities to connect with diverse communities through Astral's extensive outreach training programming; and introduced to conductors and managers – vital resources for an artist's early career development.

A Vision for Classical Music
As both a service and a presenting organization for the nation's most gifted, classically trained young musicians, Astral's vision for the future of classical music looks beyond the conventional. Today's classical music field is evolving, and Astral helps tomorrow's virtuosos prepare to take classical music into the 21st century with a new vision for community involvement, an understanding of the importance of making new and traditional music relevant to our times, and the courage to seek unique artistic collaborations.

Astral believes that the future of classical music belongs to our young musicians, and that empowering their talent and ingenuity will ensure a cultural legacy for generations to come. With Astral's help, each year our artists reach over 10,000 community members through performances in concert venues, programs in schools, and senior citizen and adult care facilities.

For more information about Astral, call 215-735-6999
or visit www.astralartists.org.