BAA Music Department

Freshman Orientation at Boston Arts Academy

2009-08-28T18:43:00.000-07:00

This week BAA's next generation of musicians came to a summer workshop at the Arts Academy. Vocal and Instrumental students worked on technique, ensemble performance, rehearsal techniques, and even a little Kickball at the end of the week. Congratulations to all that attended, we look forward to working with you in a few weeks!

Above: J'Andre Rackard, Dan Whitelock, and Anthony Adams take command of the percussion line.

Above: Students rehearse together for the first time at BAA

Above: Felix Negron, Mustapha Benzhora, and Taychon Little kick start the new school year!

Welcome Back BAA!

2009-08-24T08:51:00.000-07:00

Hey Music Students, welcome back to BAA! To help us improve our communication please fill out the survey below:

Instrumental students go here:

Vocal students go here: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDI2Ny12b2JSVUl0c054MUZncUxOZ3c6MA..

A Night at the Pops with Awards

2009-06-02T06:05:00.000-07:00

The Music Department will host its final concert and awards ceremony for 2008-2009 at the Berklee Performance Center on Tuesday June 9th at 7pm. The Department will be recognizing the contributions of community members including the most outstanding instrumentalists and vocalists from grades 9-12 who have represented the department with distinction.

Be on hand to witness the first ever ensemble featuring all aspects of the department, as we take you on a journey of movie themes and slamming jazz tunes.

BAA's Underground Trio Wins Boston Pops Competition

2009-04-20T15:15:00.000-07:00

Last week representatives from Fidelity Investments came to BAA to announce that our very own Underground Jazz Trio was selected to perform with the Boston Pops at a concert on May 20th. Students Chris Juris, Max Ridley, and Gustavo Hernandez will rehearse with Keith Lockhart in the coming weeks before their performance at Symphony Hall.

The Underground Trio also was awarded a Gold Medal at the IAJE state jazz combo finals. They are pictured above with their award. The students will be performing at the Red Sox vs. Yankees game at Fenway Park on Sunday, April 26 as part of JazzBoston Jazz Week.

Harry Ellis Dickson Award

2009-04-12T13:39:00.000-07:00

The Boston Classical Orchestra is pleased to award the Harry Ellis Dickson award ($500) for music study to clarinetist Leslie Pina. Honoarable mention goes to singer Christian Sanchez and includes $150 towards music study. Congratulations!

Outstanding Musicians at Berklee Jazz Festival

2009-02-24T16:46:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the following students:

2009 Berklee Jazz Festival

Most outstanding Musician Festival-wide: Chris Juris

Judges Choice (Ladies First): Francesca Phillipa
Judges Choice (Big Band): Chris Juris
Judges Choice (Charlie Brown): Chris Juris

Congratulations on this wonderful accomplishment!

41st Annual Berklee Jazz Festival

2009-02-02T14:27:00.000-08:00

Good news, this past Saturday our students competed at the Berklee National High School Jazz Festival and the Charlie Brown Blues Band placed 2nd (out of 16 schools around the U.S.) and the BAA Big Band placed 3rd (out of 13 schools). Guitarist Chris Juris recieved two soloist awards (and found out he was accepted to Berklee). The awards come with partial scholarships to some of Berklee's programs.

BAA Students make All-State Chorus!

2009-01-26T05:34:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Christian Sanchez and Catherine Perakis! These students have been selected for the 2009 MMEA All-State Festival.

Winterfest 2008!

2008-12-05T05:10:00.001-08:00

The Winterfest Concert Series is near. Tuesday night (Dec. 16) features our chamber music students at the BAA Black Box Theater. Wednesday night (Dec. 17) features our band and choral program at Mass Art Auditorium. Thursday night (Dec. 18) is our jazz night at Mass Art Auditorium. All performances are at 7pm. Wednesday and Thursday night are $5 admission.

Select Choir Performs at Boston Tree Lighting

2008-12-05T04:52:00.000-08:00

The Select Choir performed at the Annual Boston Tree Lighting ceremony at the Boston Common last night. The students were followed by R&B singer/songwriter Brian McKnight. The performance was televised and the students did a wonderful job representing their school. Congratulations to Ms. Willer and the BAA select choir!

Wayne Shorter Visits Boston

2008-12-04T04:41:00.000-08:00

Last night students from the BAA went to see legendary saxophonist Wayne Shorter (of Weather Report, Miles Davis Quintet, etc...) perform with Brian Blade, John Pattatuchi, and Danilo Perez. After the concert students met with Wayne and the band.

Above: Wayne Shorter signs Greg Groover's alto saxophone.

Above: Chris Juris and Brian Blade

MMEA District Festival

2008-11-23T16:27:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the following students selected for the 2009 MMEA District Festival.

Jeremy Gooden
Ashard Jones
Christiana McMullen
Franchesca Phillip

Leslie Pina *
Christian Sanchez*
Cara Perakis *
Chris Juris *

* Students who have achieved All-State Reccomendations

Congratulations to everybody that auditioned and good luck at the festival!

BAA Jazz Jam at Cesaria

2008-11-09T19:46:00.000-08:00

Berklee Salsa Clinic with Bernardo Hernandez

2008-11-09T19:42:00.000-08:00

Bach's Lunch at BAA

2008-10-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

BAA hosted it's first ever Bach's Lunch noon-time concert series yesterday. The All-Faculty Jazz Septet opened up the series. Students should contact Mr. Clauhs if they are interested in performing a future Bach's Lunch.

Jeff Greene Masterclass at BAA

2008-10-07T05:07:00.000-07:00

On Monday, Chicago-based Jeff Greene Quartet performed with students from Boston Arts Academy. The quartet discussed composition, free improvisation, and the art of playing in a combo.

Above: The Jeff Greene Quartet with students Chris Juris, Max Ridley, Leah Silverman, Greg Groover, Gustavo Hernandez, Nick Perez, Tacyhon Little, and Manny Arroyo (left to right).

Jazz Jam @ Cesaria

2008-09-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

Join the music dept. for the BAA's first open jam session at Cesaria on Sunday, October 5 from 6-9pm. There is no cover charge and all are welcome to play with the band. Featuring Jesse Taitt, Nora Lutz, and Taychon Little, alongside of students, faculty, alumni, and friends of the BAA.

Summer Reading Survey

2008-09-10T09:47:00.000-07:00

Click Here for Survey

Welcome (back) to BAA!

2008-09-03T17:38:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is the first day of school at BAA. The music department is very excited to begin another great year. We are welcoming two new teachers to the music faculty: Ms. Willer, who will be teaching vocal music and concert choir, and Mr. Sutton, who will be teaching piano, vocal jazz, and an all-school gospel choir.

We have some new procedures this year, so all music students should be aware of weekly practice logs (due every Friday) and concert reflections (due once per term).

Be sure to check the BAA music blog regularly for updates. The blog now features a school/music dept. calendar with up-to-date events. If you have a google account you can subscribe to the calendar and the blog as well.

See you soon!

Berklee College of Music Scholarship Winners!

2008-08-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the following students that graduated in June, 2008 and have been awarded full-scholarships to the Berklee College of Music. The scholarships were awarded at the Berklee Blow Out Concert on August 12.

Gerami Groover
Jesse Taitt
Nora Lutz
Jennifer Manzanillo
Christina Rodriguez
Sean Alexander (BAA, '07)
Mariano Neris

7 out of 10 Full-scholarships given to MA students came from the Boston Arts Academy! Way to go, and good luck next year! An article about these students was published in both the Boston Herald and Boston Globe (click the link below)

Article in Boston Globe

Article in Boston Herald

Article on Berklee.com

Guest Clinicians Visit BAA

2008-04-14T20:08:00.000-07:00

Music Dept. hits the Studio

2008-04-14T19:55:00.000-07:00

Students began working on the 2nd BAA School CD today. Charlie Brown Blues Band was first to hit the studio recording Chick Corea's "La Fiesta" and Gerami Groover's arrangement of "Footprints". Ensembles will continue recording all of this week and the disc will go to production soon afterwards. The CD should be released at the end of May.

Above: Percussion teacher and freelance recording engineer Mr. Jamrog sets up shop in the recording studio at BAA.

Marvin Hamlisch visits Boston Arts academy

2008-04-14T19:44:00.000-07:00

Marvin Hamlisch is a multi award-winning American composer. He is one of only two people in history to have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, a Tony, and the Pulitzer prize. On Wednesday, Mr. Hamlisch conducted a masterclass at the Boston Arts Academy.

Above: Mr. Hamlisch demonstrates song-writing by having a member of the audience (Kat Vicente, sophomore) come up with a ridiculous title to which he spontaneously composes a song.

Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble Win Bronze Medal at MICCA

2008-04-08T07:51:00.000-07:00

On Saturday the BAA Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble traveled to Foxboro, MA to participate in the MICCA (Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association) Festival. The groups engaged in a masterclass with expert clinicians and performed on stage. Both groups earned a Bronze medal for their performance. Congratulations!

BAA Students are Finalists in JAM'N 94.5 Hip Hop Contest for Non-Violence

2008-04-07T19:03:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the following BAA students for placing in the top 3 finalist round for the JAM'N 94.5 Hip Hop Songwriting Contest promoting non-violence. The students are eligible to win $5,000 in recording merchandise.

Above: Finalists are announced on Monday evening.

Above: TRIY Records: Taychon Little, Ernest Dudley, and Daryl Brown

Above: D Money (Derrick Martinez) with Cal Morgan

Senior Recital Festival 2008

2008-03-31T09:51:00.000-07:00

BAA students perform at MMEA

2008-03-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

Honors Wind Ensemble performs at Park Plaza Hotel

On Friday the BAA Honors Wind Ensemble performed for a presentation on Band Music Repertoire at the MMEA All-State Conference in the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston, MA.

All State Jazz Vocalists perform at Park Plaza & Ryles Jazz Club

Jazz vocalists from the Boston Arts Academy and Marblehead performed at Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge, MA tonight as part of the MMEA (Massachusetts Music Educators Association) All-State Conference.

Particpants from Boston Arts Academy included: Erica Telisnor, Ashwa Marshall, Cherelle Brown, Jacqui Boyer, Christiana McMullen, Jennifer Manzanillo, Derrick Hannah, and Jesse Taitt on piano. Congratulations on a great night of Vocal Jazz!

BAA Jazz goes to college again!

2008-03-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

This time BAA Ladies First, Charlie Brown, and Big Band went to the University of New Hampshire to perform in the UNH Clark Terry Jazz Festival. Guest artists included: Stantawn Kendrick, saxophone, Don Friedman, piano, Marcus McLaurine, bass, and Sylvia Cuenca, drums.

Above: Shantawn Kendrick solos with the UNH Big Band

Congratulations to Taychon Little:
UNH Jazz Festival "Most Outstanding Musician"

Deanna Witkowski Trio Performs Masterclass at BAA

2008-03-16T12:16:00.001-07:00

Left to right: Deanna Witkowki (piano), Dave Ambrosio (bass), Alfonso Malave (BAA student), Vince Cherico (drums)

The Deanna Witkowski trio performed a masterclass on Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and other forms of Latin-Jazz to BAA students on Thursday, March 13. BAA students had the chance to perform and share with the trio.

BAA Charlie Brown Performs La Fiesta

2008-03-04T12:42:00.000-08:00

BAA Ladies First Performs I Choose

2008-03-03T16:46:00.000-08:00

The Boston Arts Academy Ladies First Performing I Choose at the Berklee Performance Center on December 18, 2007.

BAA Big Band Performs Brass Machine

2008-03-03T15:02:00.001-08:00

The Boston Arts Academy Big Band Performing Brass Machine at the Berklee Performance Center on December 18, 2007.

Jazz Goes To College Tour

2008-02-21T20:35:00.001-08:00

The BAA's first ever "Jazz Goes to College" took place this week as our students traveled to Temple University, West Chester University, and Penn State University.

At Temple we visited Terell Stafford's Jazz Band and the student center. Greg Riley, Peter Paulson, and Chris Hanning entertained and educated us with a master-class and joint performance at West Chester the next day. Finally we ended the tour with a few rehearsals and a jam session with music students at Penn State University.

This tour gave us a chance to network with schools and great jazz educators outside of the Boston area. The rehearsals were rewarding and informative, and the group performances were very exciting. Congratulations to everyone for a great trip!

Students at the Penn State Lion Shrine

Penn State's Premier Jazz Band
Centre Dimensions Rehearses and plays with BAA

Students Perform at the West Chester Performing Arts Center

WCSU Jazz Faculty
Saxophonist Greg Riley and drummer Chris Hanning perform for BAA

Students from Temple University talk and sing with vocalists from Ladies First

Mariano, Rey, and Junior outside of the Temple Student Center

Congratulations!

2008-02-13T04:41:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Ladies First, Charlie Brown, and Big Band for an Outstanding Performance at the Berklee Jazz Festival!

Berklee Judges Choice Awards (best performance in ensemble)
Yenasi Morales
Nora Lutz
Taychon Little

Most Outstanding Musician in Festival (Large Ensemble Category)
Taychon Little

Jesse Taitt helps promote Berklee Jazz Festival on 89.7FM

2008-02-07T19:03:00.000-08:00

Jesse Taitt Trio on Eric Jackson's "Eric in the Evening" Jazz Radio Show, 89.7FM

Jesse Taitt - Piano
Greg Holt - Bass
Matt Williams - Drums

9th grade music students set a school record!

2008-01-15T07:36:00.000-08:00

On January 12th, 20 BAA freshmen auditioned for the 2008 MMEA Eastern District Jr. Music Festival. These students spent several week preparing to compete against students from all over eastern Massachusetts. The long hours in class, after school and at home paid off! Not only did our music freshmen represent BAA (and Boston) beautifully, but 15 of the 20 students were accepted into the festival. Please help us to congratulate these bright young stars:

Kiel Applewhite
Roobvia Bernadin
Brittany Butler*
Chris Doman*
Shawntia Edler*
Greg Groover
Alaa Hudson*
Ashard Jones*
Jonaletha Jones-Green*
Xavier Lewis
Tiziana Maddaloni*
Esteniolla Maitre
Rosemary Onofri*
Tracy Partin*
Nick Perez*
Allieya Perry*
Arnold Pesnell*
Shaneese Smith*
Kenny Speller*
Martin Tierney*

(*denotes festival awardee)

GRP Big Band Plays MANTECA

2008-01-11T18:16:00.001-08:00

Buddy Rich Big Band Plays Groovin Hard (original)

2008-01-11T18:04:00.000-08:00

"Jazz Goes to College" Tour

2008-01-08T15:49:00.001-08:00

On February 19-21st, the BAA Jazz ensembles will be taking a tour to perform and observe at a number of colleges (Temple, West Chester, and Penn State). The purpose is to discover what programs outside of New England are doing, and establish networks and connections with schools around the Northeast. The students will be gone for three days and two nights. Parents and guardians should have received two permission slips for the tour. The permission slips are due JANUARY 16TH.

2008 BAA Music Department Calendar

2008-01-07T19:18:00.000-08:00

Click Schedule to enlarge