Before our youngest musicians pick up real instruments, they work alongside their parents, BMP teaching artists, and youth mentors to construct paper instruments, inspired by the tradition from Venezuela's El Sistema program.
At BMP, we have continued this tradition, and each year introduce new design elements in partnership with Beaver Country Day School (BCDS) students and staff and make way for more opportunities for our families and friends of BMP to take part in this community-building experience.
As part of our Paper Instrument Program, a Paper Instrument Graduation is held each year to applaud and celebrate the students' hard work concluding the first steps in their musical journey. Last week, students in our K1 Mozart Orchestra began the next steps in their musical journey when they received their first real instruments!
Watch the full graduation celebration!
We’d like to give a special thanks to the BCDS students and staff (Amelia Walske, Nate Guevin, Liz Latour, Tiffany Smith, Debbie Apple, and Tina Farrell) for continuing to strengthen this partnership, year after year, as well as a special thanks to Black Cat Labs for fulfilling the laser cut instrument designs!
Check out some photos from this year's graduation and students receiving their first real instruments!