BCC May 2016 e-News

From top left: Shayane Dalencourt-Simon, Leonardo Kotomori, Laura Strasner, Niko Carvajal-Janke, Britta Purcell, David Blitzman.

"TO DREAM OF VAST HORIZONS"

Each year at our Season Finale concert at the Strand Theater, we celebrate and send off singers who have reached a milestone in their lives - graduating high school and moving on to the next step in their adult lives. Most will go directly to college, some will take a gap year and volunteer or follow a passion, but all of them go having been changed by their time at BCC. One singer reflects:

I am one of those who came for the music and stayed for the people. I had no idea the impact that BCC's social justice initiative would have on me. I've met people and heard perspectives that I never would have otherwise experienced. Through two international tours and an impressive number of performances, I've seen Boston and the world through entirely different eyes. BCC has inspired me to become more active in my high school and smaller community. I intend to take everything I've learned musically and socially with me in the next phase of my life.

We are honored our 24 seniors have spent as many as 9 years of their lives at BCC. Their time with BCC reminds us of the lyrics of song the choir learned by Dr. Rosephanye Powell based on the poetry of Langston Hughes:

To sit and dream, to sit and read,

To sit and learn about the world

Outside our world of here and now -

Our problem world -

To dream of vast horizons of the soul

Through dreams made whole,

Unfettered, free - help me!

All you who are dreamers too,

Help me to make our world anew.

I reach out my dreams to you.

We will miss them all and look forward to hearing about all of their new adventures.

We hope you can join us celebrate them at the Strand Theater on

Sunday, May 22 at 2:00pm for our Season Finale Concert.

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ATK?

Uganda - After a short flight from Nairobi over the northern part of Lake Victoria (Africa's largest lake) to Entebbe, I was warmly greeted by my hosts Barnett and Grace. One of the things I noticed right away, was how different Uganda was from Kenya. While the landscape in Kenya was dry and dusty yellow, in Uganda the vibrant reds and greens stood in stark contrast. The people, too, had a vibrancy that is hard to describe. This day was for orientation only, as we were shown the location of the African Children's Choir (ACC) primary school, a few universities, and the training center where we would be spending the next few days in residence. A pretty relaxed day, and thank goodness, if we only knew what the next day would hold.

Click here to read more about ATK in Uganda and see photos from his trip.

BOSTON PUBLIC MUSIC TEACHERS

GRADUATE FROM BCC

The Boston Children's Chorus collaborates with the Boston Public Schools Arts Office in implementing an intensive, multi-tiered professional development study program for music teachers that offers educators an opportunity to gain curriculum and instruction tools that will make an impact on their students. Teachers meet together throughout the year in a study group format and then devise a final project to present during the final meeting. The final convening took place May 4 at Mario Umana Academy in East Boston, and we salute all participating Boston Public School teachers for their outstanding work and participation in the program! Congratulations on your "graduation!"

Ana Teresa Black Celis, Margarita Muñiz Academy

Ariel Carmichael, UP Academy Boston

Aytul Farquharson, Joyce Kilmer Upper School

Joy Roster, Orchard Gardens Pilot School

Ryan Snyder, Boston Latin School

Sian Wittke, Orchard Gardens Pilot School

BCC's professional development initiatives for teachers are funded in part by the BPS Arts Expansion Initiative, a multi-year initiative focused on access, equity, and quality arts learning for BPS students.

SINGER SPOTLIGHT: KOFI HAIR-RALSTON

Kofi is a first year singer in our United South End Settlements Training Choir that meets in the South End. Kofi shared the following about himself with his conductor Sophia Papoulis: " I was born in Texas, and I grew up in Boston. I go to school at Buckingham Browne and Nichols (BB&N.) My dad heard about BCC from a friend. I like being in the chorus because I like singing and spending time with people. I liked the Christmas concert a lot because it was in a big room, there were a lot of people, and I enjoyed the songs. Gymnastics is my favorite sport and I really like science."

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: JESSIE RUBIN

As my first semester at Barnard College of Columbia University comes to a close, I've been doing a lot of reflecting on my work this year, and it has become very clear that so much of what I have chosen to do has been inspired by BCC. I've been both very politically and very musically involved, and while I acknowledge (sadly) that these two passions are not as intertwined for me anymore as they are in BCC's mission, I am proud of how full my year has been.

This has been a year of great musical growth for me. First of all, I programmed for Barnard's radio station (WBAR): I created my own show called "Heart of the City," and each week I played music from a different city around the world. My favorite playlists were from Beirut, Glasgow, and of course, Boston! I also programmed for Columbia's radio station (WKCR, 89.9 on the dial) - doing programs in both the Jazz and New Music Departments each week. In addition to this radio work, I contributed to a music blog called "Rare Candy," conducting interviews with New York-based musicians and helping to plan concerts. Finally, I've made sure to keep making my own music. I'm in Barnard's chorus, and I took voice lessons and classes at the college both semesters.

Click here to read more about Jessie's first year at Columbia University and see photos of her activism on campus.

Krystal Banfield is the fourth person from the left.

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: KRYSTAL BANFIELD

We want to congratulate BCC Board member Dr. Krystal Banfield, Dean, Berklee City Music, who was recently recognized by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester with a New England Women's Leadership Award along with Ambassador Swanee Hunt, Chair of Hunt Alternatives, and Shawna Young, Executive Director of the Office of Engineering Outreach Programs at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dr. Banfield also recently received the 2016 Amtrak Pioneer Award, created in celebration of Black History Month to honor African-American leaders who have made impactful contributions to the city of Boston and the greater community. Also receiving awards were Adrian Mims, founder of the Calculus Project, and Robert Lewis Jr., founder and president of the BASE. The Boston Celetics joined Amtrak in presenting this award to Dr. Banfield this winter at a Celtics game.

Congratulations, Krystal. Thank you for all the hard work you do for BCC and the community!

From left: Conductor Emily Howe, Director of Programs Ben Hires, Boston Public Library Foundation Executive Director Lisa Bevilaqua inside the Copley Square Central library construction site.

SINGING WITH HARD HATS

On June 10, BCC will have the privilege to welcome hundreds of friends and supporters of the Boston Public Library at their opening gala and preview of the newly renovated Central Library in Copley Square. Since 2015, the Central Library has been undergoing improvements to increase access to the public, engage young patrons, and demonstrate that the library is a place for life-long learning and exploration. BCC is excited to perform a special version of "Woke Up this Morning," a freedom song arranged by Dr. Anthony Trecek-King for this event.

MATCH ALERT!

Now through June 30, 2016, every dollar donated to Boston Children's Chorus will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 by an anonymous donor. Support music education and social integration and double your impact with a gift today!