BMS PERFORMATHON
Celebrating Students | March 8, 2025
Performathon is an informal student performance marathon that raises funds for BMS’ Tuition Assistance Program. Students select and prepare repertoire, commit to a specified number of practice days to prepare for their performance, and collect pledges for each day of practice. On March 8, students perform at the Shops at Chestnut Hill.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Students ask friends, family, and neighbors to support them by sponsoring their practice and performance, using the performer’s pledge form. Anyone performing in an ensemble should collect pledges independently of other ensemble members.
Any BMS student, including adults, can participate. We recommend solos or small group performances. While the Shops at Chestnut Hill do not permit drum sets of any kind, jazz and rock ensembles can play music that does not require drumset (bongos and/or hand percussion are okay). All ensemble members are invited to play solos even if they are not studying privately at BMS.
- Who can participate?
Any student of any age currently enrolled in BMS lessons, classes, and/or ensembles can participate. BMS students can also invite friends who are not enrolled at BMS to play with them! You do not have to be taking private lessons to participate in Performathon, but be sure your BMS teacher knows of your participation and help you prepare for the performance.
- 30 Day Practice Challenge
Students set a goal for how many days they aim to practice their Performathon repertoire. We recommend giving our monthly practice challenge a try! The challenge asks that students practice for any amount of time for 27 days of a 30-day period. Sponsors should pledge toward each day practiced. For example, $2/day would add up to a $54 sponsorship at the end of the month.
If a student can practice 27 of 30 days in anticipation of their Performathon performance, they will have successfully completed the BMS practice challenge (an elective requirement of both BMS certificate programs) and performed an outreach concert (another requirement of both certificate programs) while raising funds toward BMS’ Tuition Assistance Program.
- How do I get pledges?
It’s always best to ask friends and family face-to-face to support your cause. Participating in the Performathon is how students support students at BMS; you’re making lessons, classes, and ensembles accessible for all. Try personalizing this script:
Hi [name]! I’m participating in Brookline Music School’s Performathon Practice Challenge and Performance, and I’d love your support! As part of this event, I’m committing to practice my repertoire for at least 27 days during our 30-day challenge. Would you consider pledging an amount per day that I practice? On March 8th, I’ll be performing at our showcase at the Shops at Chestnut Hill.
Every pledge supports BMS’s financial aid program, making music lessons and classes affordable for all. Would you join me in making music education accessible to all?
I’ll keep you updated on my practice progress, and I’d love to see you at the performance on March 1st!”
- When do I turn in pledges?
Pledges are due by the day of the Performathon, unless your sponsor contributes using the online sponsorship form, which processes immediately. Students should give all cash and/or check sponsorships to a BMS staff member in the office during our regular hours or on the day of the Performathon at the Shops at Chestnut Hill.
DONATE
Support our Performathon by making a donation in the name of a BMS student. Your donation will make a direct impact in our efforts to provide wider access to music learning for all members of our community.
It’s easy to donate online below. Simply write in the name of the student you’d like to support in the PERFORMATHON GIFTS section of the form OR if you’d prefer to support the BMS Performathon without sponsoring a specific student, simply enter “Performathon” instead. We appreciate your support. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Note: Brookline Music School is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and donations are tax deductible according to law.
JOIN US
Come see our students perform in a musical marathon at The Shops at Chestnut Hill from 11:00am – 6:00pm on March 8, 2025. Students will have a schedule of their performance times to share with family, friends and supporters in advance of the Performathon. We hope you’ll swing by the mall to join in the fun!
Following the student Performathon, join us at the Bakalar Recital Hall for a benefit concert performed by Sergey Schepkin, featuring Debussy’s Preludes and a collection of Beethoven Sonatas. Tickets are required and admission is free, but donations are strongly encouraged.