Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams on Wednesday kicked off his 2016 School Lunchtime Concert Series, with performances by students from the drumline, majorettes and step team at PS 184 Newport in Brownsville.
The third annual run of shows is sponsored by Investors Bank, One Brooklyn Fund, Inc., and Subway.
Adams congratulated all of the participating students and spoke about how he wants the series to continue demonstrating the value of arts and music programs in public schools.
“Just as with solving a difficult math problem or completing a science experiment, performing songs and creating art develops confidence in young men and women,” Adams said.
“Students who participate in music and arts programs perform better in all of their classes, and complete high school and college at higher rates,” he added. “As performers on the ‘stage’ of Downtown Brooklyn, these students will have an opportunity to build confidence in their abilities and delight audiences who come by to listen to their excellent performances.”
Ana Oliveira, senior vice president and regional manager for Investors Bank, said her bank was “proud to support the School Lunchtime Concert Series.
“The arts play an important role in a well-rounded education, so we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Borough President Adams on this initiative,” she said. “We wish the best of luck to all the performers and hope everyone has a great time at the shows.”
“We thank Borough President Adams for including Subway in the School Lunchtime Concert Series,” said Daryl Meyers, development agent for Subway. “We are always so happy and proud to work with the Borough President Adams’ office on such events. I had an opportunity to watch the kids for a few moments while I was there yesterday and it sure looked like they were having a great time. I hope they enjoyed the boxed lunches we provided.”
For the next three Wednesdays, the free concerts will be held in front of Brooklyn Borough Hall in downtown Brooklyn starting at noon.
On Wednesday, June 1, students from IS 384 Frances E. Carter in Bushwick, MS 266 Park Place Community Middle School in Bedford-Stuyvesant, PS 149 Danny Kaye in East New York, and PS 84 José De Diego in Williamsburg will perform.
Students from IS 303 Herbert S. Eisenberg in Coney Island, IS 392 School for the Gifted and Talented in Brownsville, PS 38 The Pacific in Boerum Hill, and IS 98 Bay Academy in Sheepshead Bay will play on Wednesday, June 8.
The series end when students from MS 113 Ronald Edmonds Learning Center in Fort Greene, and MS 51 William Alexander Middle School in Park Slope perform on Wednesday, June 15, Adams said.
