Bedford-Stuyvesant
They were marching to their own drum!
Musical youngsters got to entertain a massive crowd during a New York Giants game on Dec. 2. About 50 kids who play in the Brooklyn United Marching Band ran out onto the field to pump up the football fans and players during the halftime show.
It was an incredible experience to stand in the middle of the field at MetLife stadium in New Jersey and help cheer on the famous athletes with their tunes, said the executive director of the Bedford-Stuyvesant-based Brooklyn United Music and Arts Program.
“As an after-school program primary we strive to take our kids to the biggest events in the biggest arenas,” said Ty Brown. “It is our way of making them work harder in school and in practice to remain eligible when the calls come. This month tops it all, the New York Giants came to us for halftime entertainment.”
The youngsters, many of whom live in low-income areas or in public housing complexes across the city, tune up their instruments and practice after school, which has helped many of them improve their grades in the classroom as well, said Brown.
“We are proud of the work of our organization and want to continue to attract the big shows,” he said. “Our students have shown a major improvement in academics and continue to change attitudes and behaviors! BU is truly making a difference one beat at a time! Let’s play!”
— Julianne Cuba
