Fall Preview: Events Planned for Scarsdale Teen Center, Hoff-Barthelson Music School

Two major cultural and social contributors to the Scarsdale community, the Scarsdale Teen Center (STC) and the Hoff-Barthelson Music School (HBMS), have prepared another engaging and refreshing year of programs for residents to enjoy. 

For over 10 years, the STC has provided a safe and recreational environment for teens to come together to socialize after school and on the weekends. Fueled by teens' committed energy, local adolescents help design both the space and the programs around their shared interests.

“This year, we are hard at work filling the calendar with new and different events for the teens and tweens of our community,” said Ellen Tiven-Moore, executive director of the Scarsdale Teen Center. “One of the biggest changes for the Scarsdale Teen Center is that we will be reaching out to middle schoolers -- kids in sixth grade and up. In the past, our programming has been primarily for high schoolers, with some offerings for eighth graders. We are completely revamping the way we reach out to the kids our community.”

As for the high school students, the STC will offer unique leadership opportunities. “We want to give our high schoolers the opportunity to lead classes for younger children of the community," Tiven-Moore explained. "For example, a high school student who is interested in art will have the space and support staff to offer an art class for younger kids. We are open to any idea a high school student may bring to us.”

Last year, the STC hosted fundraisers, concerts and a chess tournament, among other exciting events. This year, Scarsdale teens and tweens can expect an open mic night, karaoke, casino night, a girl’s night out, movie nights and more.

One of the STC's newest upcoming events is a haunted house scheduled to occur on Oct. 28 -- the first to ever be held in Scarsdale. 

Like the Scarsdale Teen Center, HBMS also has formed a niche in the Scarsdale community, attracting music lovers of all ages from all over Westchester County for 65 years to enroll in a variety of music programs, including classical music and jazz.

“We remain open to everyone in the community, a center where students of all ages can develop a sustained interest in music and reach their highest musical potential," said Terry Joshi, director of Public Relations and Special Events at HBMS. 

Luckily for Scarsdale residents, the HBMS students and faculty host musical performances throughout the year to showcase their outstanding skills and talent. Scarsdale favorites include the HB Artist Series, Family Weekend and Festival Orchestra concerts.

The HBMS faculty includes many preeminent performers in the metropolitan area who, in addition to their teaching careers, are members of world-class chamber ensembles, hold chairs in prominent New York orchestras and are in international demand as solo artists. With the HB Artist Series, residents are able to watch the kind of exciting music-making found in metropolitan settings.

The first HB Artist Series performance kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 6 and features Benita Meshulam on piano.

The Festival Orchestra Winter Concert, which according to Joshi is considered one of the "best community music school orchestras in the country,"  is the first performance of the year by the high school Festival Orchestra. Scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 11, the guest artist for the 2011 Winter Concert is Gerard Reuter on the oboe. 

Make sure to visit the STC and HBMS websites for a calendar of additional upcoming events.