Dear BMS Family,

Due to the rapidly evolving and complex situation around the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), we have decided to temporarily close The Brooklyn Music School. The building will be closed as of today, Sunday, March 15th through Monday, April 20, 2020.

Even though, we do not have a report of infection within the BMS community, We are closing out of an abundance of caution for our students, families, faculty, and staff at a time when city and state officials are universally recommending social distancing and limiting movement around New York City. 

We will, however, utilize a variety of media to stay virtually connected and provide continuity with music education and community engagement. At this moment in time, we have planned the following: 

• Private lessons will be scheduled by faculty with their students through remote learning options. This past week our faculty have been preparing lessons and training on Zoom. Your teacher will be in touch with you individually about how these lessons will proceed.

• We will establish ways for group classes to communicate with their teachers and connect to online learning and arts resources.

• We will be closing the Arts Reaching Youth After School Program. We understand that if public schools remain open, this will be an inconvenience for some families.

• Stay connected to each other through our social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram.

BMS continues to follow the recommendations provided by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), the New York City Department of Education, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We are carefully monitoring developments, and we will be issuing e-mail and website updates as necessary. At the very least, by March 31, we will re-evaluate the situation and reach back out to you with further information.

Closing BMS is an incredibly difficult decision. Throughout our 110-year history, BMS has served as a Beacon for all to come together in times of need to draw strength from one another and from the immersing themselves in the performing arts. Unfortunately, with this virus, we are experiencing a new kind of crisis that limits our ability to gather as a community.

We ask that you please be patient with us during this time as we move to remote learning. The administration has worked very hard to prepare, but this is still new territory for BMS. We will be in touch at a later date regarding any credits and make-ups.

If you have questions or concerns about this situation, please contact us  at contactus@brooklynmusicschool.org. I sincerely hope these measures allow our community the space it needs to get the outbreak under control. I look forward to welcoming you back to BMS as soon as this crisis is under control. 

Executive Director
Piruz Partow