Bloomingdale School of Music

The Guitar at Bloomingdale Concert Series 2024-2025 kicks off this Sunday at 3:00 PM! Don’t miss the season premiere with Nora Spielman, performing captivating guitar works from Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and the USA.

This season features 9 exciting concerts with Bloomingdale’s outstanding faculty and internationally acclaimed guest artists. And the best part? It’s free and open to all!

Come for the beautiful music, stay to make new friends. See you Sunday!

Join guitarist Nora Spielman on Sunday, November 24 at 3:00 PM for an afternoon of captivating music that spans continents and centuries!

Kicking off the Guitar at Bloomingdale Concert Series 2024-2025 season, this concert features guitar masterworks by Frederic Hand (USA), Carlos Guastavino (Argentina), Sérgio Assad (Brazil), and Renaissance vihuela pieces by Luys de Narváez (Spain). A reception will follow, giving you the opportunity to meet the artist and mingle with the Bloomingdale community.

Don’t miss this season’s premiere—it’s free and open to the public!

RSVP for Free at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1038215780347?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Guitar at Bloomingdale Concert Series is sponsored by the Bloomingdale Training Program in Guitar, a holistic approach to guitar pedagogy that combines private lessons, chamber playing, and music theory training. Visit www.bsmny.org for more information.

60 Years in Harmony: Growing Strong - By 1966, Bloomingdale’s enrollment had grown to 200 students, a testament to its mission of bringing the joy and discipline of music to the Upper West Side community. A dedicated Board of Directors and skilled faculty laid the foundation for the school’s future.

Rooted in the settlement house tradition, Bloomingdale was founded on the belief that ‘music is a basic part of primary education and preparation for life.’ From its earliest days, the school aimed to serve children and adults of diverse backgrounds, enriching lives through the beauty of music while fostering academic and personal growth.

Thanks to a passionate Board of Directors and a talented faculty, Bloomingdale laid the foundation for what would become a pillar of musical education and community enrichment in New York City.

“When you're making music, you're always seeking truth and you're seeking beauty, you don't find it immediately, so you learn patience, you learn discipline, you learn to focus, and you learn tolerance and self-acceptance.

There's part of me, because I have had such a creative background that knows that I can do anything, especially in this world today you need resilience and you need resourcefulness, and that's what you get from participating in the arts.”

-Lauren Cherry, renowned NYC artist and early Bloomingdale School of Music student, reflecting on the lifelong impact of arts education

Part 1 of our alumni video series “Looking Back to Look Forward”

Take a moment to hear from Lauren about the early years of our school and more about how important music education is right now!

Visit www.bsmny.org/chapter60 to donate to Bloomingdale and support music education for all today.

Lauren Cherry Shares Her Bloomingdale Story - Chapter 60 Bloomingdale School of Music Annual Appeal **Donate Today: https://www.bsmny.org/chapter60Lauren Cherry reflects on her journey as one of Bloomingdale’s first students, describing how her mother helpe...

Join guitarist Nora Spielman on Sunday, November 24 at 3:00 PM for an afternoon of captivating music that spans continents and centuries!

Kicking off the Guitar at Bloomingdale Concert Series 2024-2025 season, this concert features guitar masterworks by Frederic Hand (USA), Carlos Guastavino (Argentina), Sérgio Assad (Brazil), and Renaissance vihuela pieces by Luys de Narváez (Spain). A reception will follow, giving you the opportunity to meet the artist and mingle with the Bloomingdale community.

Don’t miss this season’s premiere—it’s free and open to the public!

RSVP for Free at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1038215780347?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Guitar at Bloomingdale Concert Series is sponsored by the Bloomingdale Training Program in Guitar, a holistic approach to guitar pedagogy that combines private lessons, chamber playing, and music theory training. Visit www.bsmny.org for more information.

Post 4: Bloomingdale is Born (1964)

The seed of Bloomingdale School of Music was planted in 1964 with our first lessons and classes held at West End Presbyterian Church. With just 75 students, our mission to make music education accessible was born.

“It all started practically by accident! David Greer, a young organist and choirmaster at West End Presbyterian Church – located at 105th Street and Amsterdam Avenue – came up with the idea that youngsters in the neighborhood would appreciate the study of music if they had the opportunity. The Upper West Side of New York City was still relatively poor in 1964, and Greer recognized that these residents wouldn’t necessarily have the means to pay for music lessons.

So, he began a part-time operation on Saturday mornings at the church, offering music classes for as little as 50 cents each to the predominantly low-income residents of the surrounding neighborhood. What started with 75 students grew to 200 students within the first two years.” - Monica Verona

Thank you to all veterans for laying down your lives for the sake of our country and it's citizens. Happy Veterans Day! 🇺🇸

60 Years in Harmony: The History of Bloomingdale School of Music -
Post 3: A New Purpose (1920-1970)

Did you know that before Bloomingdale called 323 W. 108th Street home, it served as a mission, dormitory, and gathering space for the Japanese United American Church? From 1920 to 1970, this building was a sanctuary where Japanese Americans found community and support during challenging times.

The kindness, resilience, and connections made here left a lasting impact—one we honor in our own mission today. At Bloomingdale, we’re proud to carry on this legacy of unity, bringing people together through the power of music.

This Friday, celebrate Bloomingdale’s 60th anniversary with us at our special Birthday Concert featuring “A Tribute to Benny Golson.” Join us as we honor both our rich history and the legendary bebop and hardbop jazz saxophonist, composer, and arranger Benny Golson. His iconic compositions, such as “Along Came Betty” and “I Remember Clifford,” have become beloved jazz standards.

The concert will feature an outstanding lineup: Eli Asher (trumpet), Joe Ford (alto sax), Michael Cochrane (piano, leader), Calvin Hill (bass), and Steve Johns (drums).

RSVP for free at the event below or tune into our live stream right here on our page! :)