Women’s History Month Celebration Packs the House at Brooklyn Conservatory

March 12, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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BROOKLYN — On Saturday, March 3, at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BCM), female members of the BCM faculty and staff performed in celebration of Women’s History Month.

Women attendees came from all over to partake of this Brooklyn institution’s great music, food and wine.

The standing-room-only crowd was treated to a captivating concert by Renee Manning, the conservatory’s voice chair, and her all-star BCM band. Players were Sylvia Cuenca on drums, Lauren Sevian on baritone sax, Michele Temple on bass and Yoko Yates on piano. Highlights were Mary Kay McGarvey’s show tunes, Catherine Meyers’ aria and Kurt Weill songs, and Mariana Aslan and Theresa Rosas’ Spanish canciones. The school’s executive director, Karen Geer, both played tuba and sang “My Funny Valentine” — with an assist from the audience.

The evening ended on a high note. Telling husbands and boyfriends in the audience, “This is a message for all you men,” Manning went into her original blues song, “Never Miss a Good Thing ’Til It’s Gone.”

Thus encouraged, all the ladies present learned the song and sang with her.

Community businesses contributed prizes. Donations included an exotic Tree of Life sterling silver necklace from Kiwi, an elaborate black gem bracelet from Sposabella, a Mexican brunch for two from Santa Fe Grill and a gift certificate for a mani-pedi from Vanelle Spa.

Neighborhood food merchants who brought in goodies were Cousin John’s Café and Bakery, Blue Apron Foods and 7th Avenue Wine & Liquor.

For 115 years, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music has been a thriving community center where music is open to everyone. There are classes, ensembles and individual lessons for students from 18 months to adults. Students learn the basics, and more, of jazz, rock and classical music. Nestled in a five-story Victorian Gothic mansion in the heart of historic Park Slope, the student body reflects the vibrant cultural diversity that is the essence of New York.