Brooklyn Music School Presented MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. TRIBUTE CONCERT 2019

On Saturday, January 19, 2019, the Brooklyn Music School (BMS)community came together at the historic Brooklyn Music School Playhouse Theater (126 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn, NY) to honor and pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the 17th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert. The concert showcased the BMS Students and the great variety of musical programs that the school offers - from the BMS Orchestra opening the show to the newest adult ensemble, Motown Mondays, headlining the concert. Students of all level, talent, and instrument shined brightly as they paid tribute to the inspiring legacy and words of Dr. King.

As the concert began, Piruz Partow, BMS's Executive Director, shared a quote from Dr. King on the power of music:

"Jazz speaks for life. The Blues tell the story of life's difficulties, and if you think for a moment, you will realize that they take the hardest realities of life and put them into music, only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph."

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The 17th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert program included:

1. BMS Adult Orchestra (Deborah Baker, Nathan Atherley, flutes; Ron Draddy, clarinet; Yoshi Nagayama, trumpet; Chelsea Cohen, piano; Mei Yolles, Atensa Prempeh, Denise Jeffers, Elios Urbatsch, violins, Angelys Ocana, Jason Walter, violas; Rumbi Petrozzello, Vanessa Hutchinson, cellos; Jacqueline Coston, double bass)

Michael Vannoni, Director

• Rondeau from Abdelazer Suite, H. Purcell (Additional Orchestrations by M. Vannoni)
• Overture 1812, P. Tchaikovsky (Arranged by M. Story; Additional Orchestrations by M. Vannoni)

2. ARY Rock Band

Alex Rivers, director

• Everyday People, S. Stone

3. Nika Nodjoumi

• I Feel the Earth Move, C. King

4. The Groove Ensemble

Jack Henson, director

• I Feel Good, J. Brown

5. Nana Buadi

Alumni

• Autumn Leaves, J. Kosma

6. Tuesday Jazz Ensemble

Jeff Newell, director

• Down By the Riverside, Traditional

7. 3:30 Saturday Rock Band

Alex Rivers director

• Virtual Insanity, Jamiroquai

8. Blair Greene

Valentina Nazarenko, instructor

• Song Without Words Op. 102, No. 4, F. Mendelssohn

9. Motown Mondays

Jack Henson, director

• Heard it Through the Grapevine, N. Whitfield & B. Strong
• Dancing in the Street, M. Gaye, I. J. Hunter & W. Stevenson
• What's Going On, M. Gaye, R. Benson & A. Cleveland

The Brooklyn Music School views music and performance as the birthright of all people, an essential way that human beings connect with others and explore their creativity. The study of music has been demonstrated to enhance academic learning and helps to develop discipline and confidence that will serve children well throughout their lives.As part of the vision of reinventing the community music school for the 21st Century, BMS is dedicated to:

* Making high quality musical instruction approachable and affordable to a wide range of students,

* Creating frequent opportunities for performance for our students and cultural enrichment for our community,

* Representing a wide range of musical traditions, including European, African, Middle Eastern, and American to represent the diversity of Brooklyn's musical talent, and

* Offering a warm and welcoming space for families and individuals to explore new talents and make lasting friendships.

For more information, visit www.brooklynmusicschool.org.