BMS Backstage: Music in Major Holidays
From Ōmisoka to Kwanzaa, there are so many ways music is used during the holiday season. Throughout history, music has been used to bring people together and create an atmosphere of peace and comfort. This is particularly true during the holiday season when we return to the same songs and melodies year after year for that nostalgic feeling.
BMS Backstage
BMS Backstage is a new monthly series that takes our community behind the scenes and on a journey through BMS, the history, the community and by celebrating historical and contemporary aspects of music and the performing arts . Anika Rahman our new and brilliant marketing intern explores contemporary and historical subjects through the lens of the building, programming, events and our local and global community connections.
It's that time of year again when the leaves are changing color, the weather is getting colder, and every month we’re looking forward to a different holiday. This winter season, we at BMS are celebrating the holidays in the only way we know how: through music! In this post, we'll look at the various types of music linked with key December holidays, as well as how they come to evoke this sense of nostalgia.
From Ōmisoka to Kwanzaa, there are so many ways music is used during the holiday season. Throughout history, music has been used to bring people together and create an atmosphere of peace and comfort. This is particularly true during the holiday season when we return to the same songs and melodies year after year for that nostalgic feeling.
Christmas would not be Christmas without music. For centuries, people have been singing Christmas carols as a way to celebrate the holiday season. These songs frequently tell the story of Christ's birth and express the holiday's joy and hope. There are many different genres of Christmas music available today, ranging from traditional carols to modern pop songs. These songs have a sense of joy that we don't find in the genres we listen to year-round. They were intended, within the Christian musical tradition, to spread joy and warmth during the cold months and usher in celebration and festivity. And every year, as we play these songs at the start of December we're honoring this tradition.
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated by people all over the world. The holiday commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is observed by burning candles in a nine-branched menorah. During Hanukkah, people sing special songs called Hanukkah or Chanukah songs. These songs, which are mainly in Hebrew, describe the Hanukkah story or thank God. Hanukkah songs tend to be upbeat and festive, making them an important element of the occasion.
Kwanzaa is a seven-day holiday celebrated by people of African descent all over the world. Music plays an important role in Kwanzaa celebrations, serving as a way to connect with African heritage and culture. Kwanzaa music ranges from traditional songs and chants to more modern songs. Regardless of its style, Kwanzaa music is always uplifting and celebratory. It is a powerful way of bringing people together and instilling a sense of pride and community. For those celebrating Kwanzaa, music is an essential part of the holiday experience.
Boxing Day is a national holiday observed on December 26th in the United Kingdom. The holiday has its roots in the Christian tradition of giving gifts to the less fortunate, but it has since become secularized. Boxing Day is now a day for spending time with family and friends, as well as shopping and attending sporting events. The music played on Boxing Day is one of its most distinctive features. . Specifically, three traditional songs are often heard on this holiday: "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," "Good King Wenceslas," and "The First Noel." Each of these songs has a rich history and contributes to the festive atmosphere.
In Japan, Ōmisoka marks the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. On Ōmisoka, many Japanese families visit temples and shrines to pray for a prosperous new year. It is a season of hope and renewal, and its music reflects that. Many of the songs are about starting over and facing the world with renewed vigor. Others are about cherishing our relationships and creating long-lasting memories. However, regardless of their message, all of these songs are designed to incite joy and happiness. It is a reminder that even as we begin a new year, we can always hold on to the things that are most important to us.
This winter, we are grateful for our incredible community and their shared passion for music! So, whether you're singing Christmas carols, Chanukah songs, or celebrating Boxing Day, we wish you a wonderful winter and happy holidays from everyone at BMS!
BMS Backstage: Celebrating International Music Day
For International Music Day (October 1st), we celebrate the power of music and its ability to inspire. Whether you’re a musician yourself or simply enjoy the beauty of music, we hope you'll take some time today to reflect on how music affects your life!
BMS Backstage
BMS Backstage is a new monthly series that takes our community behind the scenes and on a journey through BMS, the history, the community and by celebrating historical and contemporary aspects of music and the performing arts . Anika Rahman our new and brilliant marketing intern explores contemporary and historical subjects through the lens of the building, programming, events and our local and global community connections.
We at BMS believe in the power of music in uniting people and cultures, which is why this installment of Backstage is dedicated to International Music Day. International Music Day honors all forms of music and its ability to heal and unite communities. Yehudi Menuhin founded International Music Day in 1975 with the goal of making music and musical arts more accessible, encouraging peace, and the appreciation and mixing of cultures. All goals vital toward BMS’s mission as an institution.
The Brooklyn Music School believes that a vibrant and healthy arts community contributes to the borough's mental and physical well-being and fosters strong community connections in Brooklyn and beyond. And through our programming, we hope to develop students' musical abilities and expose them to individual artistic expression. We believe in the importance of music and its ability to promote diversity, ingenuity, and artistry. And when used correctly, it can be a tool for elevating humanity. International Music Day celebrates the very same ideals that we uphold at BMS every day. We hope that through our programming, we can inspire and broaden the horizons of our students, as well as instill a lifelong love of music in them.
Every International Music Day, we celebrate the power of music and its ability to inspire. Whether you’re a musician yourself or simply enjoy the beauty of music, we hope you'll take some time today to reflect on how music affects your life!
From the Executive Director
This summer was action packed with both returning and new programmatic efforts! Summer Music and Dance Institute ran from July through August, and ended with student performances. BMS also premiered the new community fundraiser, Beer & Beats that showcased adult students, faculty, and staff throughout local breweries. I also travelled to Paris to visit Ecole D’Art Musical, a music school with a similar feel to BMS. It is my intention to facilitate a cultural exchange program.
From the Desk of…
“ At BMS Brooklyn, the focus is providing quality, accessible performing arts programming to all those that wish to receive it and we believe that cultivating a healthy overall lifestyle is also paramount. ”
Running the streets of Paris!
This summer was action packed with both returning and new programmatic efforts! Summer Music and Dance Institute ran from July through August, and ended with student performances. BMS also premiered the new community fundraiser, Beer & Beats that showcased adult students, faculty, and staff throughout local breweries. I also travelled to Paris to visit Ecole D’Art Musical, a music school with a similar feel to BMS. It is my intention to facilitate a student exchange program.
Summer Institute 2022
Teaching in Paris.
We are excited about fall at BMS Brooklyn! With a new Curriculum Developer joining the staff in September the programming will evolve into effective and developmentally appropriate classes that align with our core values and state standards.
The BMS Artist in Residence program is hosting the second guest BMS’ own teaching artist, Emily Tepe, professionally known as IVA. BMS AIR allows our students a unique opportunity to experience a professional artist’s creative process and invites the community to make meaningful connections.
IVA: Summer 2021
Partnering with local organizations such as: Barclays Center, Bloomingdale School of Music, and Mark Morris Dance Group remains a priority. And renovations to this historic property are in always happening behind the scenes.
At BMS Brooklyn, are focus is providing quality, accessible performing arts programming to all those that wish to receive it and we believe that cultivating a healthy overall lifestyle is also paramount.
REGGAE BOYZ: A Jamaican Fairytale
A FUNdRAISER
“Growing up on the island of Jamaica, [I] was naturally always aware of the power of sport and music to unite people.”
Reggae Boyz: The History
Jamaica has always been a country full of music and soccer. The first football club was formed in 1910 as the Kingstone Cricket Club. And in 1925 the team had its first game against Haiti. Jamaica became independent in 1962 and during that same year the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) became a member of FIFA. The team attempted to qualify for the 1966 FIFA World Cup after finishing first in a preliminary group. Almost a decade later, JFF almost qualified for the 1978 World Cup but was defeated by Cuba during the qualifying rounds. In 1995, The Jamaican Football Federation visited Zambia to play a friendly football match. It was during that visit the local media conceived the name “Reggae Boyz” naturally drawing connections with the music that originate in Jamaica and the football team. Two years later, on November 16, 1997, after three wins over El Salvador, Canada, and Costa Rica, Jamaica secured its first ever qualification for the1998 World Cup. November 16, 1997 is a significant day in Jamaican history for two reasons, one being the World Cup qualification. And second, as stated by the President of the Jamaican Football Federation, “not a single bullet was fired in the country.” And this is where the story of REGGAE BOYZ the documentary begins.
Reggae Boyz: The Documentary
“Do it for yourself, do it for your country. We qualified before and we can qualify again...” - Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller
On November 16, 1997, when Jamaica’s national soccer team – a.k.a. the “Reggae Boyz” – qualified for the 1998 World Cup, not a single bullet was fired despite Jamaica having one of the highest murder rates in the world. Mindful of this history, in 2017, Jamaica tries to inspire its populace by qualifying for the World Cup again. When their efforts start to fall short, Winnie Schäfer, a colorful German coach, enters the scene and forms an unlikely alliance with a Rastafarian factory worker named Jermaine “Tuffy” Anderson and legendary reggae musicians including Bunny Wailer and The NoMaddz to unite Jamaica beyond the soccer pitch. REGGAE BOYZ uses pop cultures’ most transcendent forces – sports and music – to delve into the heart and soul of Jamaica.
Sensing how much music and soccer are intertwined in Jamaica, Winnie visits Bunny Wailer – co-founder of “Bob Marley and the Wailers” – at the legendary musician’s home. Bunny not only introduces Winnie to the benefits of herbs, but he also suggests that putting Tuffy on the team will change Jamaica’s fortunes. Winnie takes the hint, calls up the factory worker, and together they manage to unite Jamaica beyond the soccer pitch, leading the Reggae Boyz on a path to success that culminates with their first-ever Gold Cup Finals in 2015 and 2017. REGGAE BOYZ is a romp through Jamaica’s heart and soul, where the journey is the goal.
REGGAE BOYZ producer Till Schauder, Romario Burrell, REGGAE BOYZ producer Sara Nodjoumi, Damon DeGraff and Brian Adamczyk
Photo Credit: Emery Major
Reggae Boyz: The Conversation
During the screening we were honored to have special guests Damon DeGraff and his friend Romario Burrell from Jamaica. Both participated in the q&a session of the screening. Here is a quote from Burrell and why his presence last week was significant!
“Growing up on the island of Jamaica, [I] was naturally always aware of the power of sport and music to unite people.”
Burrell’s was aware of how significant the Reggae Boyz story was regarding the history of Jamaica and how uplifting it would be for the culture from a local and global perspective. This was because his father was the President of the Jamaican Football Federation before, during and after the filming of the documentary – and he offered such an important perspective about the the Reggae Boyz origin story and why it truly was a fairytale!
IVA's Sommar Memories
Music has provided so much pure joy for me in my life and I want everyone to be able to experience that if they are game. And they need the exposure to all forms of music, and BMS provides that exposure. I also love the faculty and staff at BMS. It’s a fabulous group of talented, caring musicians.
BMS AIR
““I’m thrilled to be one of the [pioneer] artist to be part of this program. The program bridges the gap between the world of education at the Brooklyn Music School and the world of professional performing artists.””
IVA with a Midsommar Crown and Svensk Clothes
This is an interview with singer-songwriter IVA from New York and the new BMS Marketing Director Cecily Ferguson (who is based in Sweden). The interview is part of the artist in residence program.
Swedish Connections
Can you explain your connection to Sweden? My ancestors came to the New World in 1641 on the Kalmar Nyckel boat from Stockholm. My family traced our ancestry back to these Swedes and became very interested in their life in New Sweden. For this reason I applied for a Fulbright Scholarship after conservatory and traveled to Stockholm, Sweden, where I lived for six years and started my career as a pop and opera singer.
Arriving in Karlstad, Sweden during the summer of 2015 for the Swedish American of the Year ceremony.
How would you describe a Swedish summer? If it’s a good one (my first one wasn’t) it’s absolutely gorgeous for about two months. The weather is in the 70s and it’s light all day! It’s magical to see the about 20 minutes around midnight where the sky dims during June and July - the colors are incredible.
What is Midsommar and what is your favorite midsommar memory? Midsommar is an important holiday in Sweden where the Swedes celebrate the summer solstice - June 21st. It involves eating delicious Swedish food like different types of herring, Vasterbotten pie, and plenty of schnapps, which means drinking songs will be sung. My favorite Midsommar memory is going to to an island in the archipelago with my family and seeing the Swedes wear traditional costumes and dance around the Midsommarstånger, which is like our May pole.
Swedish summer in the archipelago with housemate Adam.
Do you have a favorite Swedish Sommar song? Det kom ett brev - poem by Pär Lagerqvist with music by Gunnar de Frumerie. I had the chance to sing this beautiful song at the Musik vid Siljan festival in Dalarna, Sweden, while staying at the home of the late Swedish composer Hugo Alvén. The song is about the timelessness of a mother’s garden and the feeling her child gets when reading her letter, as it’s infused with all she is experiencing at home and all the child remembers from its childhood. The melody and words are absolutely gorgeous.
Can you compare sommar vibes between Stockholm and NYC? Stockholm is much cooler in temperature and so people can wear their best clothing and makeup. Everyone is Stockholm is usually very happy in the summer and if it’s a nice day they take the entire day off and go outside. I can’t imagine a New Yorker doing this as we have so many sunny days in the summer. Stockholmers live for good weather and make time for it.
BMS Brooklyn Artist in Residence
IVA Voice
What do you think about AIRS programs in general? I’m thrilled to be one of the [pioneer] artist to be part of this program. The program bridges the gap between the world of education at the Brooklyn Music School and the world of professional performing artists. I hope it will give students a chance to see artists at work and understand more what a musical life looks like. I also hope it will bring more awareness of Brooklyn Music School to the community, to New York, and to all of the places where I and other artists perform and work.
As the 2nd artist in residence, what is the most exciting aspect of the BMS AIRS program? So far it has been performing a reading of my first libretto and having the chance to share a new aspect of my writing which is opera. We had a hybrid performance both live and on Zoom and it was thrilling for the performers and the audience members. I was so grateful to have the use of the beautiful theatre and the fabulous technical support.
Can you explain your sommar process, with this question I am assuming it might be different in the fall or winter for example? In the summer I have less students so I am able to focus more on my performing and writing. This summer I finished a record and prepared for its release as well as gave more performances in New York. I also get more rest in the summer with trips to the beach … ahhhhh.
What was the most exciting part of your summer from an AIRS perspective? Laying the groundwork for an AIRS performance in Paris, which we are working towards in April 2023.
What does BMS mean to you? It’s a community of artists where students can have lessons no matter how much they are able to afford. It’s vital to have music education available to as many students as possible as many schools have defunded their music programs. Music has provided so much pure joy for me in my life and I want everyone to be able to experience that if they are game. And they need the exposure to all forms of music, and BMS provides that exposure. I also love the faculty and staff at BMS. It’s a fabulous group of talented, caring musicians.