On Saturday, January 19, the Brooklyn Music School (BMS) community came together in the historic BMS playhouse theater to honor and pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with their 17th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert. As the concert began, Piruz Partow, BMS’s Executive Director, shared a quote from Dr. King on the power of music saying:

“Jazz speaks for life. The Blues tell the story of life’s difficulties, and if you think for a moment, you will realize that they take the hardest realities of life and put them into music, only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph.”

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The concert showcased the great variety of musical programs and students that the school offers, ranging from the BMS Orchestra opening the show to the newest adult ensemble - Motown Mondays - headlining the concert. Students of all level, talent and instrument shown brightly as they paid tribute to the inspiring legacy and words of Dr. King.

The program included:

1. BMS Adult Orchestra (Deborah Baker, Nathan Atherley, flutes; Ron Draddy, clarinet; Yoshi Nagayama, trumpet; Chelsea Cohen, piano; Mei Yolles, Atensa Prempeh, Denise Jeffers, Elios Urbatsch, violins, Angelys Ocana, Jason Walter, violas; Rumbi Petrozzello, Vanessa Hutchinson, cellos; Jacqueline Coston, double bass)

Michael Vannoni, Director

• Rondeau from Abdelazer Suite, H. Purcell (Additional Orchestrations by M. Vannoni)

• Overture 1812, P. Tchaikovsky (Arranged by M. Story; Additional Orchestrations by M. Vannoni)

2. ARY Rock Band

Alex Rivers, director

• Everyday People, S. Stone

3. Nika Nodjoumi

• I Feel the Earth Move, C. King

4. The Groove Ensemble

Jack Henson, director

• I Feel Good, J. Brown

5. Nana Buadi

Alumni

• Autumn Leaves, J. Kosma

6. Tuesday Jazz Ensemble

Jeff Newell, director

• Down By the Riverside,  Traditional

7. 3:30 Saturday Rock Band

Alex Rivers director

• Virtual Insanity, Jamiroquai

8. Blair Greene

Valentina Nazarenko, instructor

• Song Without Words Op. 102, No. 4, F. Mendelssohn

9. Motown Mondays

Jack Henson, director

• Heard it Through the Grapevine, N. Whitfield & B. Strong

• Dancing in the Street, M. Gaye, I. J. Hunter & W. Stevenson

• What’s Going On, M. Gaye, R. Benson & A. Cleveland