The history of Temple University Ambler is a history deeply connected to music.

From the May Day Celebrations of the Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women to the former Temple University Music Festival and Fair to the Boyer School of Music and Dance Arbor Day (Re)Charge Festival, the campus has been a haven for performers and music lovers for more than a century.

Thanks to the Phyllis A. Ludwig Concert Endowment, the music returns to Temple Ambler on Sunday, March 8, with an inaugural concert — “A Celebration of the American Songbook.”

“This has been a wonderful collaborative effort. We are overjoyed that the first concert of the Phyllis A. Ludwig Concert Series will take place this March,” said Dr. Vicki Lewis McGarvey. “We know that this has been a dream of Phyllis’ for some time and we are excited to help see that dream fulfilled. The concert series fits in so well with Temple Ambler’s ongoing mission to provide engaging experiences to not just the Temple community but well beyond.”

A Celebration of the American Songbook will be held on Sunday, March 8 in the Ambler Learning Center Auditorium. A reception for all guests, sponsored by Ludwig Business Consultants, will begin at 1:30 p.m. The concert will start at 2:30 p.m. The suggested attire is business casual. Reserve your spot today!

In 2019, the Phyllis A. Ludwig Annual Concert Endowment was established to bring together the performing arts “and the enduring spirit of Temple University Ambler and the surrounding community,” said Ludwig, CPA, FOX ’05, who received her Executive MBA from the Fox School of Business.

“I recall talking to Temple Ambler’s alumni relations person at the time, Angela Davis, and to Vicki McGarvey about how much the University truly changed the trajectory of my life. We started talking about possible ways of giving back — rather than a donation, we began developing the endowment,” she said. “My main passion my entire life has been the performing arts — if I could have done something else, it would have been singing. I do sing in different choirs and play piano; I’m the cantor at my church.”

Living right in the Ambler area with many hours spent walking on campus, exploring the Temple Ambler Library and enjoying the healing majesty of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Ludwig said she wanted the endowment to bring about the establishment of “a special performing arts program right in the community.” Learn more about Phyllis Ludwig here.

The March 8 inaugural concert will feature an unforgettable afternoon with the One More Once Jazz Ensemble. The performance will be led by the vocalist Tony Corrao.

“I’ve known Tony for 20 years — he was a neighbor across the street at the beach in Lavallette on the New Jersey shore. He always had this incredible voice and was a terrific performer — he had won competitions,” Ludwig said. “We began talking about the concert series and he said, ‘let’s get an 18-piece band.’ It just all came together to create a wonderful day of music.”

One More Once is jazz ensemble that celebrates the best of big band tradition with a contemporary flair, consisting of some of the top musicians in the Tri-state area. John Molloy and Joe Verderese founded the band in early 2008. The band presents music from many different eras and styles, ranging from the big band era of Glenn Miller and Count Basie to Thad Jones, Mel Lewis and Maynard Ferguson favorites.

Corrao is a talented vocalist known for his smooth swing style and timeless charm. Blending classic appeal with modern flair, his voice and magnetic stage presence make him a standout performer. Corrao has performed at many of the top jazz venues throughout New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia, working with ensembles ranging from an intimate trio to a full 28-piece orchestra.

“My goal is to always try to convey my deep feelings for the music,” he said. I like to connect to songs — I don't just sing songs because I like a melody or I like the music behind it, I like lyrics and what the song it really saying — and have the audience connect to that good feeling that we all get where time stands still and you allow yourself to get lost in the music.” Learn more about Corrao here.

To be able to bring this to the community, “something that I truly love, it’s a one-of a-kind feeling and Temple Ambler is a true gem,” said Ludwig.

“We decided to hold it in wintertime to create something where people would want to get out and do something — a Sunday afternoon to get together and enjoy all things Broadway,” she said. “The Great American Songbook, the Broadway classics, those are my passion, so it felt right for that to be where we begin this musical journey and see where it takes us — I’m so excited to see this concert series build and grow in the years to come.”