Now Recruiting for 2012 School Year

Prospective students get your applications here!  All applications due to doug@harlemschool.org by Jan. 20 2012.

Harlem School of Urban Music: 2010-2011 Recap

Harlem School of Urban Music and Recording Arts @Frederick Douglass Academy

Accomplishments for School Year 2010-2011 

Timeline (pdf version)

October 2010

• Development of renovation plan for old studio space
• Clearing and cleaning of the three rooms
• Expansion of space from two room to utilization of all three rooms, including the studio rehearsal space.

November 2010

• Planning and development of curriculum
• Three major goals identified for curriculum

1.  
   1. Students begin musical training with formal Music Theory and Piano education
   2. Students also receive critical training with composition and modern production technique in the modern Digital Audio Workstation.
   3. Students acquire recording experience with musical legends residing in the New York City area.

December 2010

• Equipment lists researched and ordered for the new facility
• Installation of modern, professional recording studio, including: [insert current pic of studio]
  • Avid Pro Tools 9 HD - Industry Leading Recording Format
  • Selection of latest A/D (Analog to Digital) Converters
  • Functioning complement of microphones to record 6-7 musicians in realtime.

January 2011

• Student Admission Process Begun
  • Student application developed
  • Students complete application (including a short written component) and schedule a live audition.

February 2011

• Faculty Expanded
  • Piano and Music Theory Teacher, Mr. Jarrett Cherner (MM Piano - Manhattan School of Music)
  • Recording Arts Teacher, Mr. Victor Rodriguez (Current engineer for The Chipmunks and The Smurfs children’s TV programs)
  • Program Director, Mr. Doug Beavers - Grammy-Winning Artist and educator with University teaching credentials.

March 2011

• Afterschool Classes begun
  • Monday - Piano & Music Theory - Mr. Cherner
  • Wednesday - Production and Composition - Doug Beavers
  • Friday - Band Workshop (Beavers/Cherner)
  • Variable - live evening recording sessions with Victor Rodriguez

April 2011

• “Harlem School Live!” Evening Workshops implemented [links to workshops]
  • Professional bands give a workshop and performance in the studio room
  • Local music community invited to participate as an audience
  • Students assist in the live recording and interact with pro musicians

Harlem School Live! Ep. 1

Harlem School Live! Ep. 2

May 2011

• Students prepare for final composition and production projects
• Students prepare final piece to perform live at Concert Finale
• Students continue classes and assisting in evening recording workshops; show remarkable progress in the curriculum.

June 2011

• Concert Finale - June 10th, 2011
  •  Students' production project are compiled on a demo reel and played for the audience
  •  Students perform their applied instruments together in an ensemble
  •  Harlem Samba performs at the concert
  • Professional Salsa Orchestra Orquesta Harlem Riverside closed the evening 
• June 21 - Harlem Samba records in the pro studio
• Year ends - planning for ’11-’12 school year begins

Harlem School of Urban Music - EPK

Program Director Doug Beavers explains the mission and curriculum of Harlem School of Urban Music & Recording Arts.

Harlem School Live! - Ep. 2: Orquesta Harlem Riverside

Orq. Harlem Riverside and Harlem School StudentsHarlem School Live! - Ep. 2 Blog Update

Donate $1 and receive new music from the Harlem School Live! sessions!

Photo Gallery - Harlem School Live! Ep. 2

The second installment of “Harlem School Live!” was magical on a multitude of levels!

We are able to truly see the potential and capabilities of this brand new program on this particular evening.

Mr. Tovi Rodriguez, staff engineer for Harlem School of Urban Music at Frederick Douglass Academy (HSUM), ran the recording and worked with the HSUM students to ensure they were using proper recording technique.  

Mr. Robert SchwartzMaking the evening truly special were the luminaries from the community that were able to attend the evening.  This included Mr. Robert Schultz, a donor to the program here at Harlem School of Urban Music/Recording Arts and the Frederick Douglass Academy.  Orq. Harlem Riverside was sure to play him a special rendition of "Happy Birthday", rumba style!

Part of our vision for the program was to have a great deal of synergy between the different branches of today’s multimedia.  To this effect, we had Ms. Amanda Winkelsas’ photography and video class from Frederick Douglass Academy recorded the entire proceedings direct to HD video.  Look for video clips here soon!  (Or subscribe to our RSS feed to be the first to know when they are available!)

Musicians

Hector Aponte, lead vocalHector Aponte, Jorge Maldonado & Blassini

Jorge Maldonado
Luis Blasini, vocals

Bobby Porcelli, a. sax
Ivan Renta, t. sax
Javier Olivencia, b. sax
Richie Viruet, trumpet
Gino Pickart, trumpet
"Bomberito" Zarzuela, trumpet
Carlos Padron, timbal
Willie Romero, congas
Pedro "Porcholo" Segundo, bongo & campana
 
Doug Beavers & Ray Santos, co-directorsRay Santos

Repertoire

arr. Ray Santos

El Jamainquino

Vive Conmigo (comp. Hector Aponte)

Colando Cafe

El Dia Que Me Quieres 

arr. Doug Beavers

Vive Conmigo (comp. Hector Aponte)Doug Beavers

A La Piel de tu Alma 

arr. Gino Picart

No Se Sabe (comp. Hector Aponte)

Conclusion

The night concluded with a stunning rendition of “A La Piel de Tu Alma” by vocalist Hector Aponte.  You can own this track with just a $1 minimum donation to the Harlem School of Urban Music @FDA.

With this rehearsal the Orquesta was now ready to continue recording their debut release.  Our next blog will feature photos from this recording.

Harlem School Live! - Ep. 1: Orquesta Harlem Riverside

March 6, 2011

This is the first time we were able to truly put the new facilities at the Harlem School, as you will see in the photos.  Musicians came in and checked all of these new arrangements for the very first time.        

Photo Gallery for Harlem School Live! Ep. 1

Repertoire:

El Jamaiquino (arr. Ray Santos)

Colando Cafe (arr. Ray Santos)

Vive Conmigo (comp. Hector Aponte, arr. Doug Beavers)

A La Piel De Tu Alma (arr. Doug Beavers)

Musicians in attendance:

Hector Aponte
Jorge Maldonado
Luis Blasini, vocals

Bobby Porcelli, a. sax
Al Acosta, t. sax
Javier Olivencia, b. sax
Richie Viruet, trumpet
Gino Pickart, trumpet
"Bomberito" Zarzuela, trumpet
Carlos Padron, timbal
Willie Romero, congas
Pedro "Porcholo" Segundo, bongo & campana
 
Doug Beavers & Ray Santos, co-directors

Despite all of the boxes and other things you see in the background, a great vibe about the full potential of the new orquesta and school program was definitely in the air!