BMS Backstage
BMS Backstage is a new monthly series that takes our community behind the scenes and on a journey through BMS’s history. Anika Rahman our new and brilliant marketing intern explores contemporary and historical subjects through the lens of the building, programming, events and our local and global community connections.
For over a century, the Brooklyn Music School has provided performing arts education to the Fort Greene neighborhood and the greater Brooklyn community. Founded by a group of immigrants, BMS was created with the intention of making music performance and appreciation more accessible. Today, BMS still stands as a significant and diverse cultural institution. Generations of students have passed through its doors, learning about music, themselves, and about one another.
The fostering of community relationships through the love and appreciation of music and performing arts stands at the forefront of BMS’s mission. The Brooklyn Music School believes that a healthy arts community contributes to the overall mental and physical well-being of the borough and fosters strong community connections in Brooklyn and beyond.
Through our programming, BMS both preserves its original mission and encourages greater collaboration. Located in Fort Greene, BMS is part of the Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District and is a long-standing member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts. Since 1928, BMS has been operating out of a historic four-story building in the Fort Greene neighborhood.
In recent years, Fort Greene has become recognized as a cultural hub of Brooklyn, hosting some of the most innovative music and performance in the city. The neighborhood is home to a diverse and vibrant community, with a variety of cultures surrounding the school. BMS's student body reflects our community, with students from a variety of cultural, and economic backgrounds. Our organization provides financial assistance to all families and children in order to make music and performing arts education affordable.
As we continue into our second century of service, the Brooklyn Music School looks forward to fostering even more community relationships and collaborations in Fort Greene and beyond. We are grateful for your continued support as we work to provide access to performing arts education for all who seek it. It is only thanks to our passionate faculty, talented students, and supportive community that we continue to thrive.