Professor Riki Braunstein reported on the conservatory’s participation in the recent Murrow High School Band Day, which featured wind instruments this year: What a fabulous Saturday at Murrow High School! Tom Toriello hosted a Band Day, and his school was filled with music. Two middle schools joined the event. The concert bands from Middle School #2, conducted by Daniel Vernikov, and the Concert Band and Jazz Band from Roy H. Mann, conducted by Mr. Kamminick, presented wonderful performances. This was followed by the Murrow Concert Band conducted by Cindy Christensen. Our contribution rounded out the day with master classes offered by Chris Coletti, Marianne Gythfeldt, Laura Vuksinich and Arturo O’Farrill. In addition, we hosted a Brooklyn College Table complete with our banner and literature for distribution. Music education students Claudine Avalos and David Kirshner, Assistant Professor Susan Davis, and I answered questions and encouraged students and their parents to consider Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music when applying to college. The second half of the event included the superb Murrow High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Murrow Jazz Ensemble, and a special performance by the U.S. Army Jazz Quartet. Our faculty members generously gave their time on a Saturday to teach and encourage student musicians. This was truly an uplifting and exciting day of music. It was particularly thrilling to see several generations of musicians from young, beginning and developing players to the U.S. Army Jazz Quartet all coming together to share their music.
