Dr. T. and Mr. Johnson took their first two Latin percussion lessons with Paulo Stagnaro as part of their fellowship funded by Fund for Teachers! They started learning patterns for the danzón and cha-cha-chá styles of music on güiro, timbales, congas and bongos. They learned to transition from the basic danzón pattern to the paseo and cha-cha-chá patterns, and will apply these patterns in Latin standards like Tres Lindas Cubanas. Danzón is a style of dance music, influenced by European dance music, that was first popular in Cuba in the late 1800s. Danzón laid the foundation for other styles of Cuban music like son and cha-cha-chá.

WHEELS band students:

Here is a soft copy of the practice log for you to print in case you need to print more over the summer. Remember that you are expected to practice every day and record what you practice on your log.

WHEELS music students work together and take a leading role in shaping our music program through collaborative inquiry, ensemble playing, and peer coaching and mentorship. Check out this video.

WHEELS music students engage in community service in addition to studying music. This spring 6th-12th grade music students organized a fundraiser for cancer research, performed for residents at Isabella Geriatric Center, and conducted a percussion workshop for elementary school students at PS 48. Special thanks to Martin Urbach for leading our percussion ensemble!

Thanks to the generosity of Access Orpheus, WHEELS students have had many amazing opportunities to study music outside of regular classes. These include attending Orpheus Chamber Orchestra concerts at Carnegie Hall, master classes with Composer-in-Residence Gabriel Kahane, and a rehearsal with the Wayne Shorter Quartet. Thank you, Access Orpheus! Here are some photos from our experiences.

WHEELS music students have worked hard to earn places in youth ensembles at the Manhattan School of Music and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Last summer, five middle and high school students from WHEELS attended Camp MSM, a competitive summer music program at the Manhattan School of Music. During the 2012-2013 school year, three middle school students from WHEELS studied jazz music at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Middle School Jazz Academy. Here are some photos from their final performance at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola!

Thank you to MSM and JALC! We look forward to sending more students your way!

Check out this video of performances by WHEELS music ensembles in 2012 and 2013, including performances by our beginning, intermediate and advanced bands, small ensembles, and the WHEELS Performance Ensemble.

Thank you to Fund for Teachers for granting WHEELS music teachers the opportunity to study with master musicians in New York City over the summer!