Bomba y Plena
for MMG!
On November 13th students from the MMG program were treated
to a morning of sizzling Bomba y Plena by Los Pleneros de la 21. The
entertaining and educational event took place at the Julia de Burgos
complex in East Harlem. Students learned about this important form of
Puerto Rican folklore and were given the chance to participate by
playing instruments and learning dance steps.
One of the highlights of the event was the participation of our very
own instructor Jorge Vazquez. A very well known percussionist himself.
Jorge was invited to play in several numbers.
Los Pleneros de la 21 are celebrating their 26th anniversary this year.
They are the maximum expression of this form of music in New York City.
MMG featured at
the
Rush Philanthropic Art For Life Celebration
 On Saturday,
July 18, the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation
celebrated their 10th annual Art For Life East Hampton
benefit
fundraiser
at the home of media mogul Russell Simmons. Founded in 1995
by Simmons and his two brothers, Danny and Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation is dedicated to providing
disadvantaged urban youth with significant exposure and access to the
arts, as well as providing exhibition opportunities to lesser known
artists and artists of color.
 The
Multicultural Music Group was a featured youth
organization this year and our students were
invited to perform during the lavish cocktail hour. After walking the
red carpet, the MMG Youth Orchestra performed three selections to the
delight of the large crowd of celebrities and New York dignitaries. The
MMG was also acknowledged during the fundraising program. Most
important of all, MMG students had the time of their lives and were
treated like celebrities by the Rush staff and party guests. The MMG
wishes to thank RUSH Philanthropic for this event and everything they
do for us and for the arts in NYC.
MMG presents
MME VI
"The Borinqueneers"
 The
Multicultural Music Group promotes social justice through music
commissions created to depict, to resemble or to illustrate a
historical event in a particular culture. On Friday, May 22, 2009, the
MMG presented their second event in the 2008-2009 MME VI series
at Pregones Theatre in the Bronx. Ray Santos, five time Grammy Award
winner and Academy Award Nominee for Best Song in a Motion Picture,
presented an original musical composition inspired by the Puerto Rican
participation in the Korean Conflict. The presentation was composed of
two parts: the panel discussion and the concert presentation of the
commissioned work. Filmmaker Noemi Figueroa Soulet, 65th veteran
Eugenio Quevedo and Partnership for the homeless representative Zoilo
Torre, participated in the panel discussion moderated by Dr. Luis Mojica.
 The concert presentation began with
the participation of the
MMG Youth Orchestra who delighted the sold out crowd with three
selections from their repertoire. This was followed by a short award
ceremony in which MMG honored students Eileen Garcia and Ansel Peters,
staff members Mauro Satalino and Pete Miranda and board members Winston
Brewster and Brian Hodge. A special recognition
was made to Gayle Morgan from the Mary Flager Cary Charitable Trust.
The concert culminated in a stellar performance by Ray Santos and the
MMG Orchestra together with the Bronx Arts Ensemble in the world
premiere of the new musical work "The Borinqueneers" by Ray Santos.
There was a reception afterwards in which community, students, staff,
board members and performers were able to interact and enjoy delicious
food and drink. Thank you to everyone involved for making this a
successful evening.
This
presentation
was
possible thanks to the
support from Union Square Awards, the New York State Council on the
Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the Aaron Copland
Fund for Music, The Bronx Arts Ensemble, Councilwoman Carmen Arroyo and
Assemblyman Adam Clayton
Powell, IV.
A perfect day at Six
Flags for MMG!
For
the
second consecutive year The
MMG Youth Orchestra participated in the PAC Six Flags Festival and was
awarded the gold plaque. On May 29, 2009, a select group of students
from MS223, MS254, X296 and Mott Hall High School performed three
selections at this year's competition. Under the direction of Pete
Miranda the orchestra received high appraisals from the judges. Deshawn
Robinson (MS223) and Dominick Monti (MHHS) were awarded outstanding
soloist awards.
This
was
the culmination of a year of
hard work and dedication and student's elation was priceless. Afterwards, students, staff and
parents enjoyed the rest of the day at Six Flags theme park in Jackson,
NJ. Thank you to all our staff and parents for making this a perfect
day for MMG.
MMG
at
Lincoln Center
Jazz
 For the second consecutive year, students
from the MMG music program
participated in the acclaimed Lincoln Center concerts for young people
series. On March 13, 2009 students were treated to the entertaining and
informative concert/workshop titled "Improvisation is for everyone",
featuring the Erica Von Kleist Quartet. In attendance were MMG
participants from MS223, MS254, X296 and Mott Hall High School.
 As part of the event, MMG
instructors had previously attended a
workshop dealing with the subject matter and in turn were able to
inform students on what they would be experiencing.
The concert workshop featured a performance by a Jazz quartet and a
workshop dealing with the concepts of musical improvisation. Students
from the MMG program were able to participate and had a wonderful
musical time. We are grateful to the staff of Lincoln Center for their
attention and the unexpected tour of the Lincoln Center facilities.
The sounds of
Haiti
come to MMG
During
the
second week of February 2009 Marcus Schwartz, a renown
percussionist, delighted our students by bringing his unique workshops
to the MMG program. Markus specializes in Haitian music and percussion.
Students were taught a bit of history, culture and rhythms of Haiti.
Mr. Schwartz utilizes technology in a very innovative way. He builds
complete songs by using looping technology, this allows students to
better understand the complex rhythms and how they work together.
Markus visited MS233, MS254, X296 and Mott Hall High School.
Born
in Copenhagen, Denmark, and raised in a house full of
jazz music in the United States, Markus Schwartz has spent the past 17
years deeply immersed in the world of traditional Haitian drum music.
 Markus has traveled the world
with his Haitian drums, performing at
festivals and concerts across the U.S., throughout the Caribbean
islands (Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, St. Lucia, Martinique and
Guadalupe), Canada, Mexico, Europe and Japan. As an educator, Markus
has taught group and individual drumming classes in the San Francisco
Bay Area and Santa Cruz, CA, Santa Fe, NM, Rancho La Puerta, Mexico,
Hartford, CT, Vermont and New York City and has participated in
lecture-demonstrations on traditional Haitian drum music at San
Francisco State University, City College of San Francisco, Laney
College, Mills College, St. Mary's College and the Caribbean Cultural
Center, among many other locations.
MMG present at
RUSH
Philanthropic Youth Holiday Party!
 For the second straight year The
Multicultural Music Group was invited to perform at the RUSH
Philanthropic youth holiday party. On December 9th, 2008 the awaited
event took place at Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza. Over 500 New
York City students were treated to a spectacular event which included
entertainment, food, prizes and much more. This year our orchestra was
composed of students from Mott Hall High School and MS 223 with a
special intervention by Mr. Jarrall Blount.
 We are proud of our students who
had an amazing
performance under the direction of Pete Miranda, Marcelo Cardozo and
Juan Pablo Carletti.
RUSH Philanthropic is an organization founded by Russell Simmons, Danny
Simmons and the Reverend Run. RUSH provides support to several youth
organizations throughout New York City. MMG would like to give a very
special thank you for for all their support throughout the years.
Union Square
Awards
honors MMG
 The
Multicultural Music Group and sixteen other New York City organizations
were honored at the annual Union Square Awards celebration on Saturday,
December 6th. Seven received the prestigious Union Square Award and a
$50,000 grant for exceptional efforts addressing the critical social
and economic issues facing New Yorkers. Ten received the Union Square
Arts Award and a $35,000 grant in recognition of innovative work in the
arts with youth and families in low-income communities.
 "With minimal resources, these
organizations are
making
extraordinary
contributions to local neighborhoods. Given the current
economic situation, thier work is vital to New York City," says
Executive Director Iris Morales.
This year's awardees work with diverse populations across the City
including young people, new immigrant communities, the formerly
incarcerated, and the disabled. They join 186 organizations that have
previously received the Award since its founding in 1998. Awardees were
recognized at a special ceremony at the historic Riverside Church in
Manhattan. The MMG is deeply grateful for the recognition and
contribution.
MMG and Youth
INC
together in "Celebration"
The
Multicultural
Music
Group
and Youth INC hosted the much anticipated gala at the Sheraton Hotel in
New York on November 20th, 2008. "Celebration" is the culmination of a
year long partnership with Youth INC. During this time MMG has taken
part in several workshops, meetings and cultivation events with the
purpose of improving our fund raising capabilities in order to provide
better services to our students. Youth INC, a non-profit organization,
dedicates its resources to improve other organizations who serve our
city's disadvantaged youth.
The
event
was
very succesful and involved 22 partner organizations. Over 2
million dollars were raised by all the different non-profit groups.
After the MMG reception, guests were treated to the spectacular "Best
of Broadway" revue. On behalf of our Board, Staff and students, we
would like to thank everyone that donated funds and time to enable us
to surpass our goal.
Bomba y Plena
for
MS223!
 On November 19th MS223 students from the
MMG program were
treated to a morning of sizzling Bomba y Plena by Los Pleneros de la
21. The entertaining and educational event took place at The Julia de
Burgos complex in East Harlem. Students learned about this important
form of Puerto Rican folklore and were given the chance to
participate by playing instruments and learning dance steps.
One of the
highlights of the event was the participation of
our very own instructor Jorge Vazquez. A very well known percussionist
himself, Jorge was invited to play in several numbers.
Los Pleneros de la 21 are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year.
They are the maximum expression of this form of music in New York City.(photos
by
Jorge Vazquez)
Multicultural
Music
Group performs at the MFTA Halloween Party
One
of
the
MMG's yearly highlights is to provide live music for the
beautiful Halloween party hosted by Materials for the Arts.
 This year was no different. On October
28th, the MMG
student/faculty ensemble delighted party goers by providing an upbeat,
dance set.
This year marked the 30th anniversary for Materials for the Arts and
the event was very well concurred. In attendance was Mayor Bloomberg
who provided the evenings opening remarks. The
Multicultural Music Group is very grateful to the Deartment of Cultural
affairs and MFTA for all their support though out the years.
MME VI concert
as
part of the Bomplenazo series at HOSTOS
 The Multicultural Music Group presented
the first concert of
the 2008-2009 Multicultural Music Encounter series. The presentation
consisted of a community dialogue and music presentation focusing on
the development of the music brought to the United States by the Puerto
Rican immigrants and how these musical genres were transformed into a
new musical style as a result of their social and cultural encounters.
A panel of scholars and composers discussed the evolution of Puerto
Rican Bomba y Plena from its roots to the present forms and the recent
influence on the symphonic setting. The panel was composed of Papo
Vazquez, Ray Santos, Juan Gutierrez, Ricardo Pons and George Mathew. 
This presentation
featured the innovative Bomba y Plena
ensemble Viento de Agua together with the Bronx Arts Ensemble
performing the world premiere of "El Origen del Recuerdo", composed by
Ricardo Pons. The event took place at HOSTOS college in the Bronx on
October 9th 2008 and was very well attended. This presentation was
supported in part by the Department of Cultural Affairs, The New York
State council on the Arts and The Bronx Arts Ensemble. A very special
thank you to The HOSTOS Center for Arts and Culture for their support
and dedication.
Mott Hall
students
encounter Majestad Negra
On
October
10th,
2008 students from Mott Hall High School that are
participants in our music program, took part in a workshop/performance
by Majestad Negra. This is a world wide acclaimed youth Bomba dance
troupe from Loiza, Puerto Rico. The students were very engaged by the
outstanding performance and participated in the discussion pertaining
to the dance steps, history and culture of Bomba (a folkloric art form
from Puerto Rico).
The
Multicultural
Music Group provided this opportunity to
coincide with our MME concert series which involved the commission of a
symphonic piece utilizing Bomba rhythms. The presentation took place at
the Julia de Burgos center in East Harlem (El Barrio). We would like to
thank Los Pleneros de la 21 for producing this wonderful show.
Multicultural
Youth
Orchestra takes the gold at the PAC/Six Flags Festival!
On
June
6th,
2008 our program-wide orchestra participated at the PAC/Six Flags
festival. Directed by MS223 supervisor Steven Oquendo, the students
played 3 selections to a large crowd of music students and aficionados
from New York, New jersey and Pennsylvania.
The
Orchestra
was awarded the gold plaque and was highly
praised by the panel of judges. Katherine Delgado, a tenor saxophone
player and this Year’s salutatorian at MS223, was awarded the
outstanding soloist trophy. We are very proud of our students and their
hard work. The rest of the day was spent enjoying the rides at Six
Flags amusement park.
The
Multicultural
Music Group program visits Jazz at Lincoln Center!
On
Friday
March 14th, 2008 over 50 students, program-wide,
attended a wonderful master class on Jazz improvisation at the
prestigious venue Dizzy’s club Coca-Cola located within Lincoln Center
in mid-town Manhattan.
The
class
was conducted by veteran Jazz drummer Mat Wilson
and focused on basic concepts of Jazz improvisation. Students were
given the chance to participate in different demonstrations. Jose
Velez, a 7th grade student from MS223 summed it up by saying: “Jazz
basically lets you express how you feel at any given time”.
Kevin Jones –
master
percussionist performs a series of workshops for
The Multicultural Music Group program
Kevin
Jones
is a very accomplished percussionist. He has
performed with Whitney Houston, The Isley Brothers and Luisito Quintero
as well as many others. During the first two weeks of February 2008,
Kevin conducted a series of workshops on African drumming and culture.
 Students were taught different percussive patterns as
well
as their cultural and social significance. The workshops lasted 2 weeks
and the schools involved were: MS223, MS254, X296, X298 and Mott Hall
High School. Thank you Mr. Jones for an unforgettable experience.
Multicultural
Music
Group
Youth Orchestra rocks Rush Philanthropic
(Russell Simmons) annual Christmas party!
This
year
The Multicultural Music Group was fortunate to be
invited to perform at the much coveted annual event. The party
took place on December 11th, 2007 at Irving Plaza in downtown New York
City.
Besides
over
500 children from different youth
organizations, the Reverend Run and his family, Russell Simmons and
many special guests were in attendance. Our
youth orchestra performed 2 selections to a very enthusiastic crowd.
The Multicultural Music Group is very grateful to RUSH for the
opportunity and for all the years of support.
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