From the Executive Director, September 2024
As we embark on a new school year at Brooklyn Music School(BMS), I'd like to first reflect upon the last few months within the organization. After arriving at a truly critical financial moment last spring, I am overjoyed to say that the outpouring of support from the community and beyond allowed BMS to continue offering our wide variety of programs through the summer months uninterrupted. On behalf of our staff, faculty and Board of Trustees, we want to sincerely thank each and every person that donated to our June fundraising campaign. With new administrative structures, approaches, and upcoming fundraising, we anticipate a much more stabilized year ahead. I would also like to congratulate all of the Summer Institute and Intensive students for their incredible work and performances throughout July and August.
In entering the Fall semester and beyond, we are excited to bring all of our historic programmatic offerings back once again to our students. I'd like to encourage the community to enjoy as many of our annual events at BMS as possible, some of which include the Halloween Fall Celebration, New York City Marathon outdoor concert, MLK Celebration concert, and many more. We also plan to usher in new happenings, performance opportunities, and special events in our Playhouse space and throughout the city. It is our honor and pleasure to serve such a beautiful community through the joy of the performing arts.
With gratitude,
Brian Adamczyk
Executive Director
Jon Batiste Visits BMS
Last month, the Brooklyn Music School welcomed a special guest who made a huge impact on students, faculty, and the entire community. Jon Batiste, the acclaimed artist with multiple Grammy and Oscar wins, brought his magic to the BMS Playhouse, creating a day that was all about musical inspiration and connecting with one another.
BMS Backstage
BMS Backstage is a 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 brilliant marketing intern explores contemporary and historical subjects through the lens of the building, programming, events and our local and global community connections.
“With so many ways to communicate at our disposal, we must not forget the transformative power of a live music experience and genuine human exchange.”
Last month, the Brooklyn Music School welcomed a special guest who made a huge impact on students, faculty, and the entire community. Jon Batiste, the acclaimed artist with multiple Grammy and Oscar wins, brought his magic to the BMS Playhouse, creating a day that was all about musical inspiration and connecting with one another.
This event was a testament to the school's mission of using music to connect, inspire, and uplift. Thanks to a collaboration with the Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra and Verve Records, our students came together to be part of an unforgettable musical experience.
As a surprise to the students, Jon invited BMS Summer Institute 7-8 year old groups to accompany him on his own original songs, as well as, a range of instrumentalists from BMS Jazz programming and Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra. The day culminated with a free public performance down Saint Felix Street, where everyone got to hear the songs rehearsed during the workshop.
Jon's genuine connection with the students was a highlight of the day. His words of encouragement and the moments he shared with the students were heartwarming and inspiring. It's moments like these that truly show the impact of music and the joy it can bring.
But the party only continued, thanks to CBS Mornings, who featured Jon Batiste and BMS student Chris Lee in a segment about the surprise event. Their discussion sheds light on how music enriches lives and shapes experiences, highlighting the importance of music education.
This surprise event exemplified the Brooklyn Music School's commitment to nurturing connections within the artistic community and providing enriching experiences for all, regardless of background or resources.
Jon Batiste's visit to the Brooklyn Music School was a true celebration of music's ability to transcend barriers and inspire hearts. The event echoed the school's mission of using music as a universal language to inspire and connect. As memories of Jon Batiste's visit linger, the Brooklyn Music School continues its mission, striving to host more events that foster creativity, community, and inclusivity.
From The Executive Director
As summer draws to a close, I would like to reflect on some of the incredible experiences that the Brooklyn Music School recently offered to the community.
““As summer draws to a close, I would like to reflect on some of the incredible experiences that the Brooklyn Music School recently offered to the community. ”
”
As summer draws to a close, I would like to reflect on some of the incredible experiences that the Brooklyn Music School recently offered to the community.
Our Summer Music and Dance Institute returned once again, allowing hundreds of children the opportunity to receive programming in music, dance, and musical theater. Field trips, culminating performances, and new friendships filled the 6 weeks of programming. A major highlight was welcoming multi-Grammy award winner Jon Batiste to the Playhouse for an afternoon of workshops with various BMS students of all ages. He ended the day by inviting those very students to sit in with him during a free concert for the community from the BMS Playhouse, a day none of us will ever forget.
Brooklyn Music School has also embarked on many new initiatives to improve, reorganize, and enhance our ability to deliver the best quality programming while keeping tuition rates well below market rate. Looking on to the 2023-24 school year, the community can expect all of the same historic BMS programmatic offerings such as lessons, ensembles, group classes, and robust performance experiences. In some more exciting news, BMS will also continue expanding its Music Therapy division after recently becoming an accredited institution.
This past school year also allowed me the pleasure of further developing our relationship with the acclaimed Ecole d'Art Musical in Paris, France. We are making strides to launch a student cultural exchange in the near future, an unprecedented opportunity for the students.
With so many new and creative initiatives in our upcoming planning, we are sure this will be the most exciting year at the Brooklyn Music School yet. We can't wait to see you here!
From The Executive Director
Spring is upon us at the Brooklyn Music School, and we are so excited to be offering the community so many experiences between now and the end of the school year.
From The Desk Of…
“We are here to serve, enrich and support the public through the performing arts.”
Hello Brooklyn Music School families, friends, and community!
Spring is upon us at the Brooklyn Music School, and we are so excited to be offering the community so many experiences between now and the end of the school year. Our Spring semester of programming and instruction is in full swing.
I would like to highlight two new performance opportunities created with the community in mind. Our first ever rock band event, Shred Fest 2023, took place on April 1st in the BMS Playhouse. The evening featured BMS Rock Bands of all ages and abilities. We also hosted a total of 19 bands, some of which were from outside organizations and our friends at Kids Rock for Kids. Also, the BMS Jazz Department will host our first dedicated jazz celebration event in May in the Playhouse (stay tuned for more info). All jazz ensembles, jazz faculty and a community jam session at the end will celebrate the wonderful offerings in this communal experience.
See More at #BMSRockFest
Looking ahead, please secure your spot in one or more of our 6 weeks of Summer Institute camp experiences, as well as any of the one week Intensives. We look forward to returning to our historic camp format that will include exciting field trips, performance opportunities and walks to Fort Greene Park. Programming ranges from Strings, Jazz, Musical Theater, Dance and Music Production. Private Lessons and group classes will also run all of July and August.
Follow #BMSSummerHeartBeats
The 2023 BMS Fundraising Gala will occur on May 23rd at Rule of Thirds, an incredible venue in the heart of Greenpoint. All ticket sales, donations and sponsorships will provide crucial revenue for BMS as a nonprofit. These funds will make it possible for BMS to continue offering the affordable, and at times, free, programming and scholarships to the community. Thank you in advance for your continued support, we couldn't do it without you!
Lastly, BMS is undoubtedly opening up a new chapter. Between new programmatic offerings, growth in enrollment, and fresh BMS administrative leadership, we have so many unique and meaningful experiences to offer the public. Stay tuned for many upcoming events, collaborations and experiences for summer and fall, to be announced in the coming newsletters.
Thank you for being part of the Brooklyn Music School community. We are here to serve, enrich and support the public through the performing arts. Our programs will always be available to any and all that wish to receive them, regardless of economic standing or resources. This year officially marks the 114th year of existence for BMS, and we can't wait to show you what's up next. Onward!
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!