Continue reading »]]> BPS Arts teachers have recently been awarded prestigious educator awards. On behalf of the BPS Arts Department, we congratulate and applaud:

Paul Pitts, Fine Arts Director, Boston Latin School

Paul Pitts, Program Director for the Arts at BLS, has been elected to receive a special Hall of Fame award from the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA).

Kenrick John, Music Teacher, Orhenberger Elementary School

Awarded a Berklee Urban Service Award from Berklee College of Music. A ceremony commemorating award recipients was held on April 28, 2012 at Berklee’s David Friend Recital Hall.

Cliff Tetle, Music Teacher, Holmes Elementary School

Greg Holt, Music Chair, Boston Arts Academy

Both Mr. Tetle and Mr. Holt will be named 2012 Boston Educators of the Year.

Continue reading »]]> BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS ONE OF FOUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS NATIONWIDE SELECTED

TO BE PROVIDED NATIONAL PEER-TO-PEER JAZZ EDUCATION PROGRAM, MAY 7-11

FEATURING INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED RECORDING ARTISTS ANTONIO HART AND LISA HENRY

Los Angeles, Calif. – Boston Public Schools was one of four school districts nationwide selected this year to be provided a week of “peer-to-peer” concerts and workshops by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. With lead funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Institute will introduce its “Peer-to-Peer” jazz education program in five Boston public schools May 7-11. Combining performance with educational information, these “informances” will be presented by six exceptionally gifted music students from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts who participate in the Institute’s National Performing Arts High School Jazz Program. They will be featured with internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist and Grammy nominee Antonio Hart, vocal sensation Lisa Henry, and renowned jazz educator Dr. J.B. Dyas. Each school visit will include an assembly program featuring a musical performance for all students, followed by jazz workshops for each school’s jazz band and choir with the visiting student performers playing alongside and sharing ideas with their Boston counterparts.

To read more, click here to be redirected to the news section: BPS ARTS NEWS

Continue reading »]]> White House committee selects Boston school for prestigious arts initiative
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and dancer Damian Woetzel to work with Orchard Gardens K-8 as part of new program

The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities announced that Orchard Gardens K-8 School (http://orchardgardensk8.org/) has been selected to participate in a new arts education initiative to help turn around low-performing schools, developed in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education and the White House Domestic Policy Council. The Turnaround Arts initiative is a new public-private partnership designed to narrow the achievement gap and improve student engagement through the arts. Orchard Gardens was chosen to be one of eight schools featured in the program through a highly competitive national selection process, and will receive intensive arts education resources, expertise and the involvement of high-profile President’s Committee artists over the course of two years to support their educational reform effort.

To read more, click here to be redirected to the News section: BPS ARTS NEWS

Continue reading »]]> FESTIVAL UPDATES:

BPS District-Wide String Festival

March 22, 2012

Approximately 200 BPS students from across the district participated in the BPS String Festival on March 22, 2012 at Boston Symphony Orchestra. This annual event organized by the BPS Arts Department and BSO Department of Education engages students in intensive string must workshops led by BSO musicians. Students then perform in concert for invited guests and peers.

This year’s festival was wonderful day filled with inspiring music! We thank parents and families who attended the concert! We congratulate students and teachers from Boston Arts Academy, Boston Latin School, Dever/McCormack School, Edison K-8 School, Josiah Quincy Elementary School, Josiah Quincy Upper School, Russell Elementary School!

BPS District-Wide Youth Arts Month Exhibition

Opening Reception March 31, 2012

Approximately 500 BPS students from across the district participated in this year’s Youth Arts Month Exhibition at Boston City Hall. This annual event organized by the BPS Arts Department and Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism, and Special Events exhibits artwork created by student artists across the district from Pre-K through 12th grade. The Opening Reception held on March 31, 2012, 9-11 a.m. featured remarks by Dr. Carol R. Johnson and Mayor Thomas M. Menino, as well as, a vibrant performance by the Roosevelt K-8 Chorus.

This year’s festival was wonderful day filled with inspiring music! We thank parents and families who attended the Opening Reception! We congratulate students and teachers from

BPS District-Wide Theatre Festival

April 3, 2012

Approximately 200 BPS students from across the district participated in the BPS Theatre Festival on April 3, 2012 at Boston Center for the Arts. This annual event organized by the BPS Arts Department and Company One, a BCA resident theatre company, engages students in acting exercises, student performances, and feedback sessions facilitated by local theatre professionals.

This year’s festival was wonderful day filled with performances! We thank parents and families who attended the performance! We congratulate students and teachers from Boston Arts Academy, Boston International Newcomers Academy, Boston Latin School, Burke High School, Dever/McCormack School, Edison K-8 School, Josiah Quincy Upper School, King K-8 School, McKinley South End Academy, Rogers Middle School, TechBoston Academy!