Baldwin positions students to excel, to stand out, and they deliver....
Welcome to the 2024-2025 Winter Issue of the Baldwin Friends of Music and Arts' Newsletter.
During the winter season, Baldwin UFSD's Fine and Performing Arts program, under the direction of Mr. Andre Poprilo, curated a myriad of creative activity evoking great admiration for the students who artfully exceeded expectations and for the fine educators who are drawing out the best in them. The budding Baldwin elementary school fourth grade student artists who won the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. poster contest received recognition for their esteemed artwork displayed in the District Office. At the PTA Founders' Day celebration, a melodic group of Baldwin High School and Baldwin Middle School performing art students beautifully sang and played music to honor Mrs. Jennifer Smyth, the assistant director of musicals, who received the Founders' Day award. A resounding commemoration of Black History Month in February included both art and music, with art being in the foreground. Baldwin High School made a visual tribute with an eye catching photo series of African American students, elevating their heritage and amplifying their voices. The Baldwin High School Haitian Heritage Club also mounted images and messages of prominent African Americans on the walls of the school adding to the significance of the commemoration. Baldwin Middle School held a celebratory assembly with the Baldwin High School choir giving a noteworthy vocal presentation. And, a one of a kind Baldwin School District art exhibition of over 100 K-12 student art pieces at the African American History Museum of Nassau County unveiled the breath and depth of student artistic capabilities. This special event made the richness of Baldwin's visual arts education the centerpiece. Then in March, the Art Supervisors Association's Nassau All-County Art Exhibition and the Heckscher Museum of Art Exhibition featured more eclectic visual art from many of Baldwin's incredible student artists that further spotlighted Baldwin's successful art program. The Baldwin High School's Suites and Sweets concert fundraiser for the Band program made clear that Baldwin's music education is remarkable too. Students also stood in the limelight at the Baldwin High School's talent show to show off their talents. To top it off, Baldwin Middle School's performing art students brilliantly staged a sold-out golden musical production of "Willy Wonka, Jr." Baldwin is positioning students to excel, to stand out, and they are delivering. Check out how in this issue of the Baldwin Friends of Music and Arts' newsletter. Enjoy!
Fourth graders win MLK Poster Contest
Outstanding fourth graders from the Baldwin elementary schools won the annual Baldwin UFSD's Fine and Performing Arts' Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. poster contest. The student artists created distinctive portraits of the civil rights leader, which were displayed in the District Office. Way to go!
BMS & BHS Students Perform for the PTA Founders' Day Award Recipient
Mrs. Jennifer Smyth, the assistant director of musicals, received the Distinguished Service award on behalf of the Baldwin Middle School PTA. She was presented with the award by the theater director, Mrs. Tricia Wilder, Baldwin Middle School students, Gavin Sorensen and Haley Prabhakar, and Baldwin High School students, Sophia Tephly and Christina Tephly. The jazz band performed. Middle school and high school theatre students then sang a song in her honor from The Unsinkable Molly Brown - contributed by Neetika Cox, BFOMA Treasurer
Listen to BMS and BHS Theatre Students Sing for Ms. Jennifer Smyth
The Third Annual Baldwin School District Art Exhibition at the African American History Museum of Nassau County in celebration of Black History Month drew the attention of the Baldwin community. Community members along with family and friends packed the museum on opening night to show their undeniable support for their student artists and the significant value they place on this unique joint endeavor. Growing from 25 to over 100 art pieces, the exhibition reflected diverse voices, interpretations, and creative expressions from Baldwin students from across the school district. Through a plethora of vibrant art honoring the contributions of African Americans, these extraordinary students strengthened their community and brought it together. Magnificent!
The 2025 Annual Nassau All-County Art Exhibition at Herricks High School in March was a phenomenal display of creativity and talent by almost 1400 student artists. Congratulations to all of the Baldwin students whose artwork adorned the walls of the exhibit, including the following Baldwin High School students:
- Adrian Suriel
- August Sage
- Avery Augustine
- Chidera Ubah
- Irvin Maldonado
- Isabella Fleck
- Isabella Portillo
- Jandiel Torres
- Jenna Gonzalez
- Joellena Miller
- Jojo Yawson
- Layla DePaz
- Lucas Liriano
- Molly Curran
- Nyomi Collado
- Yessenia Mendoza
- Zoe Gordon
- Zoe Parkes
Artwork of Baldwin Students Adorns ASA Art Exhibition
The ASA's Annual Nassau All-County Art Exhibition featured the artwork of many Baldwin student artists from grades K-12. Top marks to the student artists for individual creativity. The collective body of work is truly impressive, reflecting a varied depth of expression. Check out some below.
Baldwin's District Choral Festival is Music to the Ears
A February night to remember is when the Baldwin District Choral Festival with over 200 vocalists from BHS, BMS, Lenox and Meadow Elementary came together for a sweet sounding choral program led by guest conductor, Kevin Michael Murphy, a music teacher at NYC Vocal Studio. The student vocalists exhibited range, depth and aptitude for music making that inspires and soothes the soul.
Suites and Sweets at Baldwin High School is Delightful
Baldwin High School's band program held its annual entertaining fundraiser concert, Suites and Sweets, featuring Disney music, current Broadway hits, trivia questions and prizes for audience members. The Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Band and Wind Symphony magical performance was followed by a flavorful ice cream buffet. The concert was a truly fun way to support the band program.
Baldwin High School hosted a Talent Show in February to benefit Phoenix Magazine, which is the school's art and literary publication.
Kudos to all of the performers and congratulations to the winners!
The winners are...
Asia Dowe
Madison Martin
Lauren Ephraim
Hannah Moncion
Bruce Revels
The Baldwin High School Step Team
Baldwin High School Art Students Participate in Memory Project
Well done to the incredible art students at Baldwin High School (BHS) who participated in the Memory Project, which enables art students to create portraits of students around the world. This year, under the direction of Mrs. Michelle Leimer-Kelly, the art students from BHS brilliantly captured the likeness of students in India that were featured in a video alongside all participating students and partner schools. Watch Video
Way to Go!
The artwork of Baldwin High School student, Connor Markus, was selected for “Long Island’s Best Young Artists at The Heckscher Museum” 2025 competition. There were 456 submissions from 67 schools across Long Island and Connor's standout artwork was one of 78 selected pieces to be showcased at the museum's art exhibition in Huntington, New York.
Phenomenal
BMS' "Willy Wonka, Jr." Cast Promotes Musical and Literacy
The cast of the Baldwin Middle School musical "Willy Wonka, Jr." previewed the production at some of the Baldwin Elementary Schools to promote the show and the love of reading through the Parents As Reading Partners (PARP) initiative. The preview was lit.
"Wonkamania" Comes to Baldwin
Hats off to the marvelous cast and crew of the Baldwin Middle School musical "Willy Wonka Jr." who brought great joy to sold out audiences. Anyone who attended had a "Golden" ticket to a wonderful production. Well done to Mr. Andre Poprilo, Mrs. Tricia Wilder and team for directing and producing an entertainingly colorful and vibrant show. Encore!
A Wondrous
Sweet
Delightful
Delectable
Flavorful
Blueberry Bubble Gum Popping
The Baldwin Friends of Music & Arts Advocates for the Fine and Performing Arts in the Baldwin UFSD, LI, New York
The Baldwin Friends of Music & Arts' Fundraisers Support Baldwin's Fine and Performing Arts Programs and Special Events
BFOMA provided a dress rehearsal lunch of pizza, cookies and water for the cast and crew of the BMS Musical "Willy Wonka, Jr.."
Thank you, Baldwin Community! Your purchase of FOMA apparel, membership and snacks makes a difference.
Join us! Become a FOMA Member!
Become a new member or renew your membership for the 2024-2025 school year. We accept cash, checks, made out to Baldwin Friends of Music & Arts, and PayPal! Forms can be returned through your child's school music or art teacher. Thank you for supporting the Arts in Baldwin! Download Membership Form HERE.
We are looking for Volunteers to help out at the Winter & Spring Concerts, BMS & BHS Musical & Pizza Lunches, BHS Drama Production, Social Media & Newsletters, District Wide Art Exhibition, with the New & Gently Used Musical Instrument Drive, Play It Forward and more.
Make it a family affair!
Volunteer with your BMS or BHS student, who will earn community service hours. To volunteer, email BFOMA.
Donate to the Baldwin Friends of Music & Arts
Stay in Touch
Credits:
Cover photo – Julia Tephly; Founder’s Day Jazz Band photo and Theatre Student video – Neetika Cox; BHS Choir at BMS African American History Month Assembly, District Choral Festival photo – Baldwin Art’s Facebook Page; BHS Black History Month Glide Show – “What’s Bruin in Baldwin” newsletter; Connor Markus Artwork – Baldwin UFSD’s Facebook Page; Memory Project - BHS’ Dr. Testa’s Hello from the Principal’s Office Email Created with images by Pablo - "a cartoon of hands clapping" • Indiloo - "Paint Splatter Words - Thank You" • Rawpixel.com - "Rainbow alphabet balloons forming the word volunteer" • Krakenimages.com - "Mother and son wearing volunteer uniform hugging each other using laptop at charity center"