The Wingate Dance Team, dubbed “Grand Entrance” won the Spread Ya Wings Entertainment Talent Competition at the Prospect Heights High School on Friday, February 6th! Prizes were $500 and tickets to 106th and Park. Congratulations, Grand Entrance!
Project Peace @ Wingate Volunteers
On Saturday and Sunday, December 15th and 16th, Jomal Dillon, Lotiecha Beckles, Lakiesha Fable, Joseph Myers and Christopher Cooper, Paulette Marks and Jessica Rose came to St. John’s Bread and Life and worked with hundreds of volunteers that packed goods and toys for thousands of families. Joseph and Chris were two of the last remaining volunteers to help load truck after truck of food and gifts to be delivered to families throughout New York City for the holiday season.
BCCP Blooms This Spring
BCCP has been buzzing this Spring with youth-oriented events galore. First, the Wingate Strings Project participated in the S.O.U.L. (String Outreach for Understanding and Learning) Strings Concert on Friday, April 27th. S.O.U.L. is comprised of 15 string teachers and 300 students from New York City public schools. Over 800 elementary school children attended the event. “This was the first time we’ve ever hosted something of this magnitude,” said Dawn Nelson, Program Coordinator at Wingate Campus, who helped coordinate the event with Site Director Denise Paige, “Now we can create a program that is bigger and better for the future.”
The next day BCAL hosted the T.A.S.C. (The After School Corporation) Youth Expo, which was organized by Allan Villavisar, Site Director of Bushwick Campus. The Expo was attended by students from all BCCP sites as well as MLK Jr. High School Campus, Monroe High School Campus, Flushing High School, and The Rennaissance Charter School. The six-hour event showcased student artwork, had 7 different workshops, ran a basketball tournament (halftime performances included), and provided lunch for all attendees. “I loved the opportunity to have all the boroughs represented in one place,” said Villavisar, “all the kids had a great time and they were all asking when it was going to happen again.”
The following weekend Denise Paige, Uni Lee and David Goodman worked together to put on a special BCAL Saturday for students and parents. Family Fun Day gave parents a chance to experience what their children do every weekends. In addition to the regularly scheduled workshops, there were special workshops for families to enjoy together. “I’m glad that students felt comfortable with bringing their families with them,” said Lee, the BCAL Saturdays coordinator, “this sense of community is an extension of our mission.”
Sweet Sounds in Crown Heights: The George Wingate Strings Project
When BCCP staff members discovered 21 violins, 12 violas, 8 cellos, and 4 double basses at George Wingate High School Campus, they knew they had a good problem on their hands. All of the instruments were brand new, but there was no strings teacher in sight! Through a collaboration between the BCCP and all of the schools on the George Wingate Campus, the George Wingate Strings Project, launched last month, was born.
Through twice-weekly classes, the George Wingate Strings Project offers students foundational string instruction, music theory, and composition. Indeed, the program seeks to inspire students to consider future music studies as well as professional careers. Students not only have the opportunity to play music, but are exposed to accomplished string players and performances in the New York City area. This spring students will attend two concerts by visiting performers at Wingate and one concert at Carnegie Hall.
The Strings Project is coordinated by long-time George Wingate High School music teacher Georges Vilson who oversees student recruitment, facilities, and contributes to project curriculum. Accomplished violinist and educator James Duncan serves as chief instructor in charge of string instruction, instrument repair, and special projects. Duncan currently teaches music at an elementary school and is assistant director of the All-Borough Strings Orchestra.
Director of the BCCP Arts Network Steve Ausbury notes that, “Not only will students learn to play an instrument, but they’ll learn a new language. I also think string instruction and music theory will translate into improvements in the students’ academic work.” As evidence Ausbury sites research demonstrating the corollary between participation in youth development arts programs and academic achievement.
(See: McNulty, R., preface to Art Show: Youth and Community Development by Heath, Shirley Brice, Washington, D.C.: Partners for Livable Communities,1999).
