Bloomingdale School Of Music Honors Alexander Bernstein, Artful Learning, and Leonard Bernstein

In 1958 Leonard Bernstein revolutionized music education through the medium of television with his famed Young People's Concerts shown on CBS. A few years later, in 1964 David D. Greer, an organist and choirmaster at the West End Presbyterian Church noticed that many neighborhood children (Bloomingdale District) seemed to have nothing to do and so began the Bloomingdale School of Music. Greer first began by offering Saturday morning classes for as little as 50 cents to community residents and now 53 years later under the direction of only it's third Executive Director, Erika Floreska, the school is still committed to the notion that music has the power to change people's lives and that all people should have access to high quality music instruction and performance.

Bloomingdale School of Music (BSM) is pleased to present their annual benefit in support of student scholarships, Notes from 08th Sreet, on Thursday, April 19th, 2018 at the Broadway Presbyterian Church located at 612 West 114th Street and Broadway from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

This year's evening of music will honor Alexander Bernstein and the wonderful work of the nonprofit ARTFUL LEARNING, founded by Leonard Bernstein. We are pleased to acknowledge Alexander's dedicated stewardship of Artful Learning and to applaud all his efforts in support of music education along with the enduring legacy of the great Leonard Bernstein. A highlight of Notes from 108th Street will be excerpts of "Leonard Bernstein: His World through His Music," Alexander's poignant sharing of personal remembrances of his father along with photos of individuals immortalized by four of his father's "Anniversaries for Piano."

These compositions served as musical postcards/gifts for important people in his life including some of his musical mentors and family members: Aaron Copland, Helen Coates, Stephen Sondheim and his wife, Felicia Montealegre. These will be performed by BSM faculty, Roberto Hidalgo and Judith Olson, along with two of their students. The evening will culminate with the Bloomingdale Chamber Orchestra and Choir performing a selection from Bernstein's "Candide," led by Marc Peloquin and Christine Browning.

"To look into Leonard Bernstein's educational legacy during this centennial celebration - we find countless connections to Bloomingdale School of Music's core values of access, inclusiveness, excellence, and music as a powerful tool for social commentary and change," shares Erika Floreska, the school's Executive Director. "The fact that Leonard Bernstein lived on the upper west side of Manhattan and was a neighbor to the school underscores that connection even further. We are thrilled to honor Alexander's leadership of Artful Learning, and for him to share stories, photos, and memories of his father and his teachers and mentors along the way."