The Home Depot selects Brooklyn Music School as its first Brooklyn-based “Giving Back to the Community Project”

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***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

March 31 New York Times article: Much Needed Renovation Like Music to School’s Ears

(Brooklyn - March 4th ) -  Frank Alvarado, Executive Director of  Brooklyn Music School, proudly announces the school’s selection for a “makeover” by The Home Depot Foundation’s “Team Depot”.  On Monday March 29^th, Team Depot associates will undertake 14 individual projects throughout the school’s historic four-brownstone home at 126 St. Felix St, in the heart of Brooklyn’s cultural district.

Planned improvements throughout the building include, re-facing walls, replacing ceiling tiles, painting classrooms, hallways, lobby and waiting areas, installing new flooring (carpets and tiles), painting murals in theatre’s backstage area.

Executive Director, Frank Alvarado says, “Brooklyn Music School is thrilled to be recognized by Team Depot and selected for this makeover project.  The school will reach its centennial of service in 2012 and this makeover is the perfect way for us to kick-off efforts toward that 100^th Anniversary celebration.  We are proud of our long-standing commitment to the Brooklyn community and this recognition comes at a special time in our 100-year history.  Over the last three years we have executed an organizational turnaround.  Our being selected by The Home Depot Foundation demonstrates the importance of our existence in, and service to the community.  The school seems to be like a Phoenix rising from the ashes.”

“We’re very excited to partner with the Brooklyn Music School on this makeover project,” said Al Manigault, Team Depot Captain for The Home Depot. “Giving back is a fundamental value of The Home Depot and a passion for our associates. It is our goal to give back to the communities where our associates live and work and to build and support thriving, sustainable neighborhoods across the country.”

About the Home Depot Foundation’s Team Depot: The Home Depot Foundation was created in 2002 to further the community building goals of The Home Depot. The Home Depot Foundation focuses on supporting nonprofits that are dedicated to helping families thrive by creating and preserving healthy, affordable homes as the cornerstone of sustainable communities. Our goal is for all families to have the opportunity to live in healthy, efficient homes they can afford over the long-term; to have access to safe, vibrant parks and greenspaces; and to receive the economic, social and environmental benefits of living in a sustainable community. Since its formation, The Home Depot Foundation has granted $190 million to nonprofit organizations and supported the development of more than 95,000 affordable, healthy homes.  For more information, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org.

About Brooklyn Music School: Brooklyn Music School is a community school of the performing arts, chartered by the State University of New York in 1912. The school owns and operates its historic four-story building in the BAM Cultural Area of Fort Greene, in the heart of the Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District. The facility includes private lesson classrooms, dance studios, and a professional 266-seat Spanish Style proscenium theatre.

Brooklyn Music School believes that art is an essential part of basic education and a means by which students can develop their individuality.  BMS provide access to the performing arts regardless of income, age, previous experience, or professional aspirations.  In particular, the school seeks to reach those whose artistic voices are least often heard.

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Contact:

Frank Alvarado

Executive Director

Brooklyn Music School

718.638.5660

WHAT:     Home Depot Foundation’s Renovation of Brooklyn Music School

WHERE:   Brooklyn Music School, 126 St. Felix St., Brooklyn (near Atlantic Ave. Station)

WHEN:     March 29^th, 2010