From The Executive Director
We have so many exciting things on the horizon for 2024, and it continues to be our honor to deliver unique, creative, and wide-ranging experiences to the community.
““We have so many exciting things on the horizon for 2024, and it continues to be our honor to deliver unique, creative, and wide-ranging experiences to the community. ”
”
The fall semester at Brooklyn Music School started with energized and robust offerings in September, ranging from special guest artist events, to historical and new programming opportunities. It is still our complete and dedicated focus to provide affordable, accessible instruction to all those that wish to receive it. As we find ourselves moving quickly through the school year, I'd like to highlight some of the most notable efforts our organization has delivered to the community.
While our core programmatic divisions continue to consist of Music, Dance, Musical Theater, and Music Therapy, new efforts have been put in place to foster growth in quality and variety within each curricula. We have generated a newly imagined Early Childhood class approach and welcomed Emma Simpson as Department Chair. We believe this more focused path will ensure students move more seamlessly through programming throughout the years.
Adult programming is on the rise, and our beloved Community Choir returned once again this year, presented as a free offering to participating students. We also made a calculated decision to cease any full time tenants during the daytime, allowing for the re-imagining of our historic facility to optimize BMS programming once again.
There are many ambitious projects that have either been realized this fall, or are in place for 2024. In October, we welcomed Grammy winner, and highly sought after pianist Robert Glasper to the BMS Playhouse for an unforgettable performance for the community. Additionally, we welcomed the premiere of a new composition entitled Moving Voices, written by BMS faculty member Alon Nechushtan on November 8th. The ensemble that toured the piece consisted of award winning vocalist Sara Serpa, as well as two prominent French musicians, Louis and Francois Moutin. The final performance culminated at the prestigious Le Baiser Salé jazz club in Paris. This was designed to compliment a budding partnership with a music school in France, as well as cultivating the facilitation of new music for our audiences.
Robert Glasper at BMS
Moving Voices (from top left to right bottom): Alon Nechustan, Francois Moutin, Sara Serpa, Louis Moutin
We have so many exciting things on the horizon for 2024, and it continues to be our honor to deliver unique, creative, and wide-ranging experiences to the community. I want to thank my incredible staff, faculty and Board of Trustees for their ongoing work and dedication to the mission statement. It is our pleasure to serve each and every person that walks through our doors, or experiences our offerings remotely. On behalf of the Brooklyn Music School, I'd like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and joyful holiday season.
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!
