Oct, Nov, Dec @ McKinney SSA
BAE welcomed 50 new Brooklyn high school students into its family this fall at the McKinney Secondary School for the Arts. After the school lost its choir and band teachers due to budget cuts, BAE was selected by the district’s superintendent to supply teaching artists to help be a part of rebuilding the school’s arts education department and make sure that these incredible young people (who are so hungry to sing, dance, act, and perform) get the complete education they deserve! While the school used to offer vocal, instrumental, and theater majors, those three cohorts have now been condensed into a classroom full of diverse needs and interests, which have been difficult to be responsive to in a large-group setting. The semester began with a field trip to see The Outsiders on Broadway, followed by a lot of excavating of the old band room to get it ready for learning. The students have loved using percussion instruments and boomwhackers to build foundations in rhythmic notation and solfege, developed their ear-training, listening, and ensemble skills, and presented 3 pieces in their school’s winter showcase! They’ve also explored band instruments, piano, lots of vocal technique. We are so excited for the rest of the year as they continue to increase their ability to focus and collaborate, build a sense of community and unity among the three former cohorts, and create great art together that gives them a sense of pride and purpose!