The most challenging ongoing crises facing classical music, classical musicians, and local audiences who love classical music is the smaller and smaller part it seems to play in American society as a whole.

When I was a kid growing up in the 1950s, classical musicians were often among the most famous celebrities of the day. Operatic soprano Maria Callas’ star may not have outshone that of actress Elizabeth Taylor, but hers was a part of the same galaxy. Movie directors such as Joseph L. Mankiewicz may have surpassed the fame of most classical conductors, but Philadelphia’s own Eugene Ormandy and New York’s Leonard Bernstein were well known throughout the world due to television. Classical pianists such as Arthur Rubinstein were among the most famous solo musicians in the world.

Not so any longer. The world of entertainment is dominated by popular singers and performers who virtually define that world.

One of the most successful local organizations struggling to introduce young people to the world of classical music — one they may know only from afar — is the Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth (PMAY), whose lead partner in all of Greater Philadelphia is Settlement Music School.

Founded in 1908 as part of the “Settlement House Movement” of the late 19th and early 20th centuries intent on welcoming immigrants to this great land of ours, Settlement now has five branches spread out throughout the region: the historic Mary Louise Curtis Branch in the Queen Village section of Philadelphia, the Germantown Branch here in the Northwest, the Wynnefield Branch in West Philadelphia, the Northeast-Kardon Branch, and finally the Willow Grove Branch in Montgomery County.

Two of the young musicians taking part in Saturday’s concert are Sydney Vance, of Wyndmoor, and Isaiah Rose, of East Mt. Airy.

Sydney is a lifelong home-schooler and part of the Young Scholars High School program at the University of Pennsylvania. She received the Mensa Honor Society Certificate of Achievement and recently joined other members of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania meeting state legislators in Harrisburg. This year, Sydney is serving in her second season as a section leader of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra.

Isaiah is a student with Classical Conversations homeschooling educational program, where he was nominated for the Founding Forward Good Citizenship Award. He currently participates in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra and Settlement Music School’s Advanced Music Program and has attended the Philadelphia International Music Festival.

PMAY Artists Initiative supports 5th to 12th graders from communities that are historically excluded from classical music and those who encounter hardships in realizing their musical potential and pursuing their dreams of becoming professional musicians. PMAY offers financial support to make lessons, music classes, youth orchestra participation, and summer music camps affordable. Students attend free college and career preparation workshops, and PMAY teachers and staff work with each family to make sure that each musician has a strong plan to be accepted into a music conservatory, college or university music school majoring in music — working hard to change the face of classical music in America.

PMAY’s concert will be Saturday, February 21, 6 to 9 p.m., in the Mary Louise Curtis Branch of Settlement Music School, 416 Queen Street, Philadelphia. For information, call 215-320-2600.

Michael Caruso is a member of the faculty at Settlement Music School. You may contact NOTEWORTHY at Michael-caruso@comcast.net.