Benefit House Party
for the 5PM Porch Music Program
At the home of Mary Kay and Bill Seery
Music by Roy Nathanson
Aidan Scrimgeour, Keyanna Hutchinson,
Cleo Reed, Alber Baseel and Eric Alabaster
Sunday, October 16, 2022 from 4 to 6 PM
cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
door prizes, raffles, silent auction
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED AND SUPPORTED!!
WE RAISED ALMOST $10,000!!!
Roy Nathanson – neighbor, celebrated educator and world-renowned musician – has recorded, composed and performed with Debbie Harry, Jeff Buckley, Elvis Costello, Mavis Staples and many more. During the pandemic lockdown in spring 2020, he brought joy to our community by playing improvised spirituals on his saxophone from his second-storey porch at 5pm for 82 consecutive days. Neighbor musicians joined in, creating a ritual of community bonding at a time of crisis. The 5PM Porch Music Program soon evolved as a way for young people in isolation to gather and build relationships through creative expression and performance.
Since 2020, the 5PM Porch Music Program has engaged 120 young people in Brooklyn with more than 200 hours of private instruction and mentorship, ensemble rehearsal and a dozen multi-generational community concerts. Now in its 3rd season, the 5PM Porch Music Program needs community support to achieve its mission of bringing accessible and meaningful music education and performance experiences to youth of all backgrounds in Flatbush and Kensington.
Join us on October 16, at the home of Mary Kay and Bill Seery in the beautiful landmarked Prospect Park South neighborhood to celebrate and support the 5PM Porch Music Program. Suggested donation is $100 and all are welcome. No one will be turned away. The benefit address will be provided after reservations are made using the form below.
5pm Porch Music 2023 Summer Campaign
Introducing The 5PM Porch Music Program: Empowering Youth Through Music in Flatbush, Brooklyn
World renowned saxophone player and lifelong Flatbush resident Roy Nathanson started 5PM Porch Music at the start of the 2020 lockdown, and the program has made a tremendous impact on the lives of young people in our community and working musicians in our city.
Since it began, 5PM Porch Music has offered Flatbush families a free youth music program with high quality private lessons with musician mentors, weekly ensemble rehearsals, songwriting workshops and opportunities to perform live in the Flatbush and Kensington. Porch Music is a creative outlet for expression that empowers youth to believe they can transform their communities through music.
Today, we are reaching out to you to join us in our crowdfunding campaign, as we strive to continue our mission and expand our reach during the 2023-2024 school year.
Over the past three years, 5PM Porch Music has proudly served 200 youth with seven full seasons of programming. Every season we have observed how Porch Music’s special brand of programming can make a lasting positive change in the social-emotional growth of teens. Research demonstrates that music has the power to improve mental health outcomes for all people, by nurturing creativity, boosting self-confidence, and fostering strong social connections. In our 2022 program survey, an astounding 98% of youth in our program reported that 5PM Porch Music positively influenced how they view themselves and 95% reported that the program helped them form meaningful friendships with peers and adults.
However, the challenges we face are growing. Mayor Adams is calling on New York City schools to cut budgets for music and arts programs, leaving working class families with limited access to the transformative power of music education. At a time when teens struggle with depression and anxiety at national crisis levels, it is crucial for us to rally together and ensure that Porch Music not only continues but expands.
To keep the 5PM Porch Music Program alive, we need to raise $65,000 through this campaign.
These funds will enable us to support twelve mentor musicians and four student interns, who play a vital role in guiding and inspiring our youth. Additionally, the proceeds will help us purchase and repair instruments, ensuring that every aspiring musician has access to the tools they need to nurture their talent. Moreover, we will be able to secure rehearsal space for our weekly ensemble rehearsal, accommodating up to 60 people. Rehearsal space is paramount to fostering a collaborative environment that encourages growth and creativity.
By supporting 5PM Porch Music, you are investing in the future of our community. Your contribution will provide young individuals with an avenue for self-expression, personal growth, and a sense of belonging. Together, we can ensure that music remains a powerful force in the lives of young people that helps them make sense of and overcome despite the challenges they face.
Join us in our crowdfunding campaign today, and let’s empower the youth of Flatbush, Brooklyn, through the universal language of music. Together, we can make a lasting difference in their lives and shape a brighter future.
Donate now and help us reach our goal of $65,000 to keep the rhythm of hope alive!
Thank you to Jaznina Santiago for these beautiful photos. 5pm Porch Music is sponsored by Jazz Passengers Music Projects, Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax exempt New York not-for-profit. All donations are fully tax deductible.