Our Philadelphia is commissioned by Orchestra 2001 with the support of the William Penn Foundation, as part of the ensemble's EMERGING MARKETS series. The composition refers to some of the city's well-known public marketplaces and will be played at those sites in 2021.

The work begins with an introductory fanfare, followed by portraits of four locations in the city:

Ninth Street Market evokes the immigrant communities that live and work side-by-side in South Philadelphia.
Delaware River at Shackamaxon imagines the river banks by the 17th-century Lenape gathering place Shackamaxon, near the site of present-day Fishtown. (In our own time, the center of the local Lenape community is the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation Headquarters in Bridgeton, New Jersey.)
Ride That Train evokes a few merchants from Reading Terminal Market, united by a propulsive train-like rhythm.
Our Philadelphia / Urban Farm draws inspiration from the small urban farms that flourish in many Philadelphia neighborhoods, offering refuge from the bustle and stress of city life.

With your support, Thomas and Orchestra 2001 can expand this project. Help us stage more free, socially distanced, pop-up performances in communities across Philadelphia. No amount is too small or too large! All donors will receive special invitations by email to open rehearsals and performances of each work that they helped to support.

Thank you!