Welcome to Bronx Arts Pathways: Creating Connected Communities application. **This is an updated format from last year’s Borough Arts Festival. Please read through the guidelines carefully**
The goal of this year’s showcase is to include as many schools with Performing Arts programs as possible. Families will have the opportunity to see arts programs (by performing arts discipline) in Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, and High Schools that they may want their children to attend. This year’s festival will take place at The Andrew Freeman Home at 1125 Grand Concourse Bronx NY.
Festival Dates (both at the Andrew Freedman Home, 1125 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY):
-Thursday, May 22, 2025:
-5:00 to 6:30 PM: Orchestra
-6:45 to 7:45 PM: Dance
-7:45 to 8:30 PM: Theater
-Friday, May 30, 2025:
-5:00 to 6:30 PM: Band and Modern Band
-7:00 to 8:30 PM: Choir Music and Digital Music
Please complete a form for the performance you wish to enter in the showcase. Answers cannot be edited once you have submitted this form, however you are able to save a draft prior to submitting, so please review your answers when inputting. The spelling submitted on the application will be the spelling in the catalog, playbill, and/or title card. Please double check the spelling/capitalization of student names, school names, principal names, etc.
Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Do not send submission videos or student reflections via email as they will not be considered as part of a complete submission.
Any questions, email BronxBAF@gmail.com.
Tips on Creating a Virtual Performance
Liz Guglielmo, Director of Music, has uploaded 7 YouTube videos on using various programs HERE.
For video tutorials on creating virtual musicals and theater productions, and more, Peter Avery, Director of Theater, has made a resource page available HERE.
RECORDING TIPS:
- If recording using an iPhone or any other smartphone, set up the device in a horizontal (landscape) position. Even if you feel that your full body would fit better in "portrait" (vertical mode), still please do horizontal.
- Do some test recording. It’s always good to record yourself practicing and then play it back to hear how you sound.
- Singers - Make sure your camera isn’t too close. Capture space above your head as well as all the way down to your stomach.
- Don’t record too close and don’t record with a bright window or light behind you. You should be the star!
- Instrumentalists: Frame yourself and your whole instrument or most of your instrument.
- You can film with: a cell phone, a webcam, a tablet, a desktop, a laptop, a digital camera, a video camera. Anything you have that you’ll be able to upload to a computer is OK. Ask a family member for help, if needed.
- Make sure you look good! Can we see your face? Your smile? Your instrument? Turn on a light behind the camera so your face is well lit. Make sure your background looks good. Clean up if you need to!
- Is the room still quiet? Turn off any fans or anything else that makes noise.
- Place the camera (phone or tablet) on a tripod / dresser / table. Please no hand-held filming - video gets wavy or shaky.
ELIGIBILITY
- Music, Theater and Dance performances from Bronx students in grades Pre-K to 12
- Each Performing Arts specialist may submit up to 1 (one) performance . You may submit from any genre .
- The performance should represent the best student-produced piece from this academic year, and of the work you plan to perform.
*(Please note- Dance submissions do not have to be student-choreographed)
- Please refer to the grade appropriate Blueprint Benchmarks to help guide decision making regarding submission choices.
- ALL FINAL PERFORMANCES will run 5-7 minutes in length (please do not submit videos longer than 7 minutes).
-Please submit videos that are of the submitted piece itself. Do not submit full assembly videos.
SELECTION:
- Due to space limitations and occupancy restrictions, it is not possible to guarantee representation of every school. Our committee will do its best to be inclusive and assure even representation amongst Districts 7-12 , District 75, and District 79.
- Individual expressiveness, technical proficiency as well as thoughtfulness in answering the Student Reflection Questions will be considered.
Student Artist Reflection Questions
(Video statements are preferred, though written answers are accepted)
Please have your student(s) respond as thoughtfully as possible to the following four questions, they will be considered part of your submission. For ensemble submissions, please select one or two students to answer the following questions.
Elementary Artist Reflection Questions:
- When people look at your performance, what do you want them to think or feel?
- Why do you think this work is good? What were some choices you made to change or revise the piece?
- Why do you like to make art (dance, music, theater)?
- Tell us about your school’s Performing Arts program.
Middle/High School Artist Reflection Questions:
- What difference does expressing yourself through performance art make in your life?
- As a performing artist, what was challenging about creating this piece and how did you overcome this challenge?
- Why do you think this work is successful?
- Tell us about your school’s Performing Arts program.
Teacher Questions:
- Please tell us about the mission and vision of your Performing Arts program? (100 words max)
- Tell us some of the highlights about your school and your school community? (100 words max)
- Please include the best contact for enrollment at your school. (Name, Email address, and position at your school)
Student Permission Forms
Completed permission forms for each student performer are required as part of the application. An upload of a signed permission form or a screenshot from a parent/guardian's email will be permitted.
Click here for more information and to download the student permission form.