Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music

Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music
Location
Bronx, NY
United States
Coordinates 40° 52′ 13″ N, 73° 53′ 50″ W
Information
Type Public Magnet
Established 2003
Opened 2003
School district 10
Superintendent Fred Walsh
Principal Jerrod Mabry
Faculty 30
Grades 9-12
Enrollment 450
Campus size 3000
Campus type Shared
Color(s) Black, Silver, Blue
Mascot TBD
Newspaper The Owl
Website www.ccbxhsm.org

Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music (CCBXHSM) is the first comprehensive high school of music in the Bronx, New York. The current Principal is Mr. Jerrod Mabry, who became principal in March 2013 after having both taught English and acted as Assistant Principal since the school opened in 2003. Mr. Mabry replaced the founding principal, Dr. William Rodriguez upon his retirement. The school boasts a graduation rate of over 90% with high rates of college enrollment amongst graduating students. This is compared to the NYC graduation rate of 64.7% in June 2013. [1] For the second time in ten years, The Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music has been rated as a "Best High School" by U.S. News and World & World Report, earning a Silver rating. [2]

History

CCBXHSM opened in 2003 inside DeWitt Clinton High School. With a freshmen class of just over 90 students, the school had four classrooms and two offices inside Clinton and an office, a choral room, a storage closet, and use of the band room at Lehman College. The school now has one half of the top floor of the Walton Campus building.

During its first school year, CCBXHSM performed for various constituencies such as the Chancellor Joel Klein, Pedro Knight (husband of Celia Cruz), Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and FAME. They also performed in Lincoln Center and in CitiGroup Jazz Festivals. Their annual Winter and Spring Concerts are held in the Lovinger Theater in Lehman College.

Halfway into its first year, CCBXHSM received news that the school was to be relocated from Clinton High School to the Walton Campus. The school began its second year on the third floor of the Walton Campus.

On August 21, 2003, the Mayor held a news conference in Lehman College renaming the Bronx High School of Music to the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music.

Exploring the Arts

The Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music recently became a partner school with Exploring the Arts: an organization built by Tony Bennett and his wife Susan Benedetto to support music programs throughout the city. They provide a series of professional development opportunities to enhance music program as well as scholarships and internship opportunities for students. Tony and Susan recently visited the school to hear a student recital. The partnership has also resulted in the writing of new academic curriculum, such as the Physics of Music.

CCBXHSM today

Today, the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music is at its full capacity of 450 students. Competition for entry into the school has grown as well.

In addition to a strong and rigorous academic program, there is an intense music program. There are four types of ensembles in CCBXHSM: Choir, Orchestra, Band, and Piano. Within the three types of ensembles exist subdivisions. Students with vocal abilities, for example, go into a freshmen choir during their first year. Then, if they have passed all of their classes, they audition to be placed in either Women's Choir, Stage Choir or The Sweet Out-of-Lines for their second year. String students go into Freshmen Orchestra for their first year, then audition for either Concert or Chamber Orchestra thereafter. With the band, students go to Freshmen Band during their first year, then audition for either Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band for their sophomore, junior, and senior year. Piano students are taught both in group and privately and take on roles as accompanists and soloists within the school as they advance.

Within CCBXHSM lies a myriad of extracurricular activities open to students passing all of their classes.

References

  1. ↑ Gogolak, E.C (June 17, 2013). "New York City Graduation Rate Remains Steady". New York Times. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  2. ↑ "Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music". Best High Schools. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 1 December 2013.

Coordinates: 40°52′13″N 73°53′50″W / 40.87028°N 73.89722°W / 40.87028; -73.89722

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