2021 In Review

At Boston Music Project, we aim to bring our community together through music education. Over the past year, we have continued to innovatively explore the art of music. See what we’ve achieved by checking out this recap of our collective successes!

As we reflect on the year’s challenges and opportunities, we also asked BMP students to share how music and BMP’s music education programming has impacted them. See what they have to say about BMP's music programs, here.

December 2021

Returning to the Stage After 22 Months

At the Chinatown Tree Lighting, where BMP students performed, BMP youth also presented Mayor Michelle Wu 吳弭 with her very own paper instrument!

Additionally, check out our December Showcase, which featured student musicians from our Josiah Quincy Before- and After-School Programs.

November 2021

Social-Emotional Learning through Music @ BMP

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is one of the key components of the Boston Music Project Curriculum. Read about how our Rimsky Orchestra has implemented SEL practices in the classroom.

Our Executive Director, Christopher Schroeder, co-authored an article for the National Association for Music Education with Dr. Scott Edgar, and Dr. Michael P. Fleischmann. The article expounds on the importance of weaving SEL into music education to promote confidence, collaboration, and community-building.

October 2021

The Return of Paper Instruments, In-Person!

We were thrilled that our Paper Instrument Project could return in-person. Check out some of the photos from this year's build!

September 2021

Bringing Music to Over 600 Youth

In addition to our work at the Josiah Quincy and Quincy Upper School, we have expanded our programming to seven under-resourced Boston Public Schools during the 21/22 academic year. Read about our expansion here.

August 2021

Summer Pop-Ups

This summer, we worked with new partners across the city of Boston to bring FREE musical pop-up events, from classes to concerts, to youth and their families all summer long.

July 2021

Creative Summer

On July 12th, BMP kicked off a new music composition project entitled, “Amplify MA.” With the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's 21st Century Community Learning Centers Programs across the state, for five weeks, students from seven youth centers worked in collaboration with BMP teaching artists. Youth composed and produced a collection of original works aimed at capturing their perspectives and emotions after a year-and-a-half of pandemic life and learning. Read more about this project here.

One of the feature works that was generated by this project is, "Lullaby for the Lonely."

June 2021

Celebrated a Year of Profound Resilience

On June 16th, 2021, Boston Music Project celebrated the power of music education with over 400 of our closest friends on YouTube! The event featured 15 virtual orchestra performances, 41 chamber and solo performances, and 3 performances by our Beethoven Ensemble supporting Boston youth with special education music programming!

May 2021

Performed in Honor of AAPI Heritage Month

On May 12th, 2021, BMP youth from our Chinatown programs prepared a short virtual performance for the Boston City Council meeting at the invitation of Councilors Michelle Wu and Ed Flynn.

April 2021

Produced Three Student-Composed Albums

In April, we launched our Creative Sessions, a national speaker series aimed at redefining the sound and aesthetic of music education. In collaboration with BMP teaching artists and Oakland-based Hip Hop Orchestra, Ensemble Mik Nawook, BMP students produced a total of three digital music albums.

March 2021

Celebrated Black and Hispanic Excellence

We investigated iconic works from the Antebellum period and the music of Latin America, performing “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and composing an original Samba.

February 2021

Lifted Up Silenced Voices

Our elementary orchestras celebrated the music of Ignatius Sancho and middle school students composed music inspired by the poetry of Maya Angelou.

January 2021

Led 15 Regional and National PD Sessions

BMP staff presented at 15 conferences, including sessions with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the National Association for Music Educators.