News / BYCA Notes Archive

Summer 2003

Rosie Perez Hosts Record - Breaking Gala
Artistic Director Dianne Berkun with Rosie Perez and choristers after the performance Honoree Emily Hargroves Fisher (right) with sisters Narcissa Titman and Jeannette Taylor

On Monday evening, May 12th, over 300 guests attended BYCA's Voices of Harmony gala, held for the first time at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. We were thrilled to have Brooklyn's own Rosie Perez join us as the host for the evening. In red and black outfits that mirrored one another, Ms. Perez and honoree Emily Hargroves Fisher reminded the evening's guests about the importance of philanthropy and its various benefits. In describing her own philosophy of giving, Ms. Fisher said, "I give because it feels good, and I like to be a part of deciding how my money is used" She went on to describe how BYCA fit her giving criteria to a tee, reflecting her priorities on "excellent and under- endowed institutions" where the director demonstrates "passion and intelligence," and where the "culture of the organization is one of respect and compassion." Emily said, "I hope to be around for a long time to watch and enjoy the Brooklyn Youth Chorus." Gala guests were able to do just that, as the Concert Chorus treated them to a 20-minute performance that included old favorites and sparkling new selections.

After the performance and speeches, the guests filed into the beautiful Beaux-Arts Court for dining, drinking and bidding on BYCA's Silent Auction. When the counting was done, the Silent Auction raised $17,000 towards the gala's total proceeds of $120,000 - a twenty-percent increase over last year's benefit. Our thanks go out to all our donors who helped make the event such a big success, particularly gala sponsors Richard Fisher and Jeanne Donovan Fisher, KeySpan and Utendahl Capital Partners. We also salute the tireless and incredible efforts of Gala Chair Martha Eckfeldt, as well as the wonderful contributions of our Silent Auction Chairs Kate Rodgers Smith and Martina Kenworthy, and our Journal Chair Franklin Stone.
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Season of Symphonies  
Choristers at the new Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts (designed by Frank Gehry) at Bard College. The Green Room at Avery Fisher Hall with Lorin Maazel after performing Adam's "On the Transmigration of Souls."
BYCA's 2002-03 season was extraordinary for many reasons, foremost among them was our record-setting six appearances with major orchestras in a single season. It seemed like the Brooklyn Youth Chorus was at the top of the list for most major New York orchestras this year. The season began with our debut performance at Avery Fisher Hall with the New York Philharmonic, under new music director Lorin Maazel, for the Pulitzer Prize winning premiere of On the Transmigration of Souls by John Adams. In November, BYC performed at Carnegie Hall in Leonard Bernstein's treasured Mass, joining the Collegiate Chorale, the Orchestra of St. Lukes, Celebrant Doug Webster, and a cast of Broadway singers and acclaimed soloists. We celebrated the holiday season by joining the Brooklyn Philharmonic and Mark Morris Dance Group for eight performances of The Hard Nut at BAM - a piece that BYC previously performed at BAM a decade ago. In March of 2003, the Chorus was back at the BAM Opera House, along with Dawn Upshaw, Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, to perform John Adams' El Niño. In April, we returned to Carnegie Hall where our own music director Dianne Berkun conducted the Chorus in the Juilliard Symphony and Choral Union's production of Britten's War Requiem. The Chorus concluded the year by performing Mahler's Symphony No. 3 with the American Symphony Orchestra at the opening concerts of one of the country's newest architectural treasures - the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College.
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Cronkite Congratulates BYC  

In March 2003, BYC was honored to perform at a private birthday celebration at Carnegie Hall for its Board Chairman Sanford I. Weill. The evening's first-rate entertainment line-up included Emanuel Ax, Yo-Yo Ma and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. Following BYC's rendition of This is the Day, Walter Cronkite brought soloist Ekela Dixon up to the podium and asked if she had a record contract yet. It was quite a night!
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Academy Expands with New Programs for 2003-04
With the inauguration of the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy in September 2002, the Chorus dramatically expanded and improved its physical facility, and added a wealth of new programs. Choristers now enjoy the benefits of two spacious and acoustically-sound rehearsal studios, and are participating in a range of elective music classes including Vocal Jazz and Improvisation, Musical Theater Workshop, Voice and Instrumental lessons. Our 2003-04 program year will open with these new additions:
1. Boys Division - encompassing boys from all BYC divisions, this class will provide a positive social environment for boys to come together, and will give them the opportunity to study and perform traditional boy choir repertoire.
2. Continuing Education / Alumni Division - open to all BYCA graduates - girls beyond high school and boys past the voice change. These students will be able to enroll in many of BYCA's elective music classes, including private lessons, and to sing in the Chorus's adult, mixed-voice Chamber Chorus.
3. Summer Session - Elective music classes, workshops and private study will now be offered during the summer months as well. This is a wonderful opportunity for choristers to try out a new instrument or take an intensive musical theater course. Programs are open to all divisions.
By continuing to increase the variety of elective offerings, BYCA is reaffirming our commitment to staying on the cutting edge of children's music education.
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City Funds Allow BYCA to Pay Off Loan

Since the earliest days of the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Independence Community Bank has been one of the organization's most stalwart supporters. BYCA has enjoyed a unique and wonderfully supportive relationship with Independence, from Charles J. Hamm and Alan Fishman at the Bank, to Marilyn Gelber at the Independence Community Foundation. On June 11th, 2003, this long-time working relationship was honored with an Encore Award from the prestigious Arts & Business Council. Each year, the Council presents awards in four categories: Excellence in Arts Management, Business Voluntarism, and Arts and Business Partnerships. Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy and Independence Community Bank won in the latter category for organizations with a budget under $2 million.

The Encore Award coincides with another important moment in BYCA's relationship with Independence - the complete pay-down of the Foundation's $600,000 no-interest, capital loan. This event comes two years ahead of schedule, and allows the Chorus to own its building outright and mortgage-free. We are very pleased to be able to completely repay the Independence Community Foundation's generous loan so quickly. At a celebration of this repayment at BYCA on June 2, Marilyn Gelber said, "The Independence Community Foundation is pleased to have made such a good investment in Brooklyn's children and the opportunities that the Brooklyn Youth Chorus can provide for them. We look forward to a continuing partnership between Independence and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy."

The quick repayment was made possible with $750,000 in funds from the New York City Economic Development Corporation, which had been petitioned for by former councilmember Ken Fisher and Borough President Marty Markowitz. We are grateful to our city officials for their support of our capital project.
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Capital Campaign Update

Since the capital campaign was officially announced in April of 2001, we have successfully raised more than $2.5 million of our $3 million goal. These funds have allowed BYC to buy, renovate and outfit our new headquarters at 179 Pacific Street. Since September 2002, our choristers have been rehearsing and learning in two, custom-outfitted studios, complete with acoustic paneling, risers and pianos. Not to mention that our choristers have been able to take advantage of private practice rooms for individualized vocal practice and piano lessons. It has been a wonderful transition to say the least.

But the capital campaign is not finished. We still need to raise an additional $450,000 for the first phase a new endowment, which will help guarantee the long-term stability of the organization. With a healthy endowment, BYCA will have the security to expand its programs and strive to reach its loftiest ambitions. Major naming opportunities are still available. If you are interested in contributing to this final phase of our capital campaign, please contact Director of Development Lesley Berson at 718-243-9447 ext. 239.
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