Ohrenberger Students Flourish Thanks To Berklee City Music Program

The 4th Annual Berklee City Music Faculty Outreach concert last Saturday gave children in the Boston Public School system the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of their friends, families, and loved ones.

It wasn't about the teachers. It wasn't about the parents. Although parents and teachers play a crucial part in the development of a child's education - the concert was about the kids. 

The concert was held in Boston at the Berklee Performance Center. Students from the Boston Arts Academy, Roland Hayes School of Music, Sumner Elementary School, , Orchard Gardens School, Nativity Preparatory School, John W. McCormack Middle School, and William Blackstone Elementary School, were given the opportunity to play on a stage known to many famous performers. The budding musicians were all given certificates at the end for participating in the program.

Kendrick John, a music teacher at the Ohrenberger School displayed and gave intense gratitude to the Berklee City Music program. 

"This is a great opportunity for kids to experience what real performers experience," said John. "If they are interested in this lifestyle, they know that it’s not out of their reach."

The children played with enthusiasm throughout the entire afternoon. The music consisted of nursery rhymes, Top 40 songs, pop, hip-hop, blues, and rock music. 

Calvin Falcon, a seventh-grader at the Ohrenberger school was completely satisfied with their performance. "It was fun to interact with audience. I knew we’d all do well. I felt confident and  the crowd seemed satisfied with our performance."

After every school performed, the crowd erupted with applause. Many parents found themselves cheering and rooting for other schools due to many musical collaborations between the schools in the city music program. 

The William Blackstone Elementary singers sang "Satin Doll" in perfect pitch and harmony for children while singing along to the Duke Ellington tunes of the Ohrenberger School's band. 

The most notable break from musical bliss was the farewell to one of the City Music program's Berklee teachers Sherry Young.

Sherry Young is venturing off to take her talents to Atlanta, Georgia, and happily taking everything she learned and taught to the children, to teach more students down South.

Before her performance, Hazel Law, a sixth-grade student at the Ohrenberger said, “I'm not really nervous. This is our last day with our vocal coach, Sherry Young. I'm just going to put it all out there today.”

Not only did Law put it all on the line when she sang her heart out in her solo to "Fireworks" by Katy Perry, but you could also see the work that Young had done with the students in the outreach inititative by Berklee.

While the children may thank the teachers who helped them with the music and voice lessons, the parents may want to thank the city of Boston.

Also in attendance was Carol Johnson, superintendent of Boston Public Schools, who thanked and offered her appreciation to many of the parents for helping the city to combat and bridge the gap between the different students that make up the school system. "9,000 more BPS students than last year have access to music and art now," said Johnson. 

With teachers and music lovers such as Sherry Young and Kendrick John, students are taking the commitment to bettering their talents with their instruments.

"Young and John are two influential teachers my daugher has had," said Nnena Odim. "They are simply the best. This is a great program. It is a little gem of the BPS."

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