Community performances are a great way to motivate musicians of any age. However, when our performance preparations are with the intention of honoring the life and legacy of one of the most influential figures of our time, Martin Luther King, Jr., or celebrating the culture of many of the students we serve with the Lunar New Year, the rehearsals are that much more meaningful.
BPS MLK Celebration
For the past two years, our musicians from our BPS site at the Josiah Quincy Elementary has been invited to take part in BPS MLK Celebration at the historic Strand Theater. The event honors Martin Luther King Jr. through music, dance, and essays by students within the Boston Public Schools. Our advanced elementary school orchestra, the Newbold Orchestra, joined nearly 600 youth from 15 fellow schools in the district. The orchestra was led by Teaching Artists Sebastien Ridore and NEC Teaching Fellow Natalie Boberg on this memorable night.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Our Sibelius Orchestra represented BMP at the Josiah Quincy Elementary Schools annual Lunar New Year celebration on January 30th. The event kicked off with a traditional lion and dragon dance, with a number of our musicians taking part, and continued with a selection of dances and music performances. The entire school gathered in the gymnasium for the celebration and were joined by JQES families, BPS leadership, and members of the City of Boston including Mayor Martin Walsh, City Councilor Ed Flynn, and BPS Arts Director Tony Beatrice.
