Yesterday WHEELS music students and families were fortunate enough to see Orpheus Chamber Orchestra play a concert with pianist Fazil Say at Carnegie Hall. Thanks to Access Orpheus for providing tickets and introducing students to a variety of musical instruments in the instrument "petting zoo!"

Earlier this week we had our first middle grades and upper grades awards ceremonies of the school year. Congratulations to the band students on great performances and to all of the students that received awards for academics and character!

Last week two bands from WHEELS performed at the annual Johnny Pacheco Latin Music and Jazz Festival. We're grateful for the opportunity to perform at this educational festival, to hear other bands perform, and to receive excellent feedback from festival director Mr. Allan Molnar and festival guests.

Some WHEELS music students took the initiative to form their own band and book professional gigs, including a weekly gig at a restaurant on 173rd street!

Percussionist Isidro "Boba" Bobadilla, who has recorded with many artists including Juan Luis Guerra, played tambora and guira with WHEELS music students last Friday during a class where he discussed the history of merengue music. WHEELS students are now fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take weekly classes with Boba!

WHEELS 1st and 2nd graders have been studying percussion and playing a cha-cha-cha groove in music class. Here are some of the 2nd graders practicing reading and playing their parts in groups.

Meanwhile, returning middle and high school band students have been working hard coaching new band students.

A trio of WHEELS band students performed on live TV at WNET's (Channel Thirteen New York Public Media) studio for National Voter Registration Day last Tuesday!