The story of BTEC:
In 1974, and in response to the rapid closures of string orchestral classes within Baltimore City Public Schools, an inestimable music teacher named Irene Kohlmeyer founded an after-school music program for students affected by the closures. Modeled on other community music programs, the Baltimore Talent Education Center used the Suzuki Method. Kohlmeyer believed every child had a talent to develop. Using the hundreds of instruments from donations, City Schools and borrowed, from the beginning BTEC was able to teach many students, including Rep. Elijah Cummings, who enrolled in one of BTEC ’s first Parent/Child Orientation Classes.
Noting the dearth of consistent, affordable music education in Baltimore City, BTEC strives to eliminate traditional obstacles for new students. Providing a comprehensive music education program for children from Preschool through 12th grade, BTEC is open to all students without an audition. A limited number of scholarships are available for City public school students. BTEC is an independent nonprofit (Federal Tax ID #52-1496145).
BTEC is modeled on string curriculums such as the Harlem School of Music, Peabody Preparatory School in Baltimore, the Settlement School of Music in Philadelphia and other distinguished private music schools. It provides classes necessary in the development of a symphony musician, utilizing the Suzuki string method supplemented with other materials. All students have weekly lessons and a self-learning theory package. On Saturdays, the students participate in repertoire classes and large ensembles. The program also offers students an area for the development of performance skills.
Presently BTEC has over 300 students drawn from 35 public schools and 11 faculty members.
BTEC’s achievements are noteworthy. In the last decade, the majority of BTEC’s students who progressed to orchestra level received “1” ratings from MSO.
• Average attendance rate for 12 or 14 week semester: 95%.
• Informal survey of students from 1998-2010 of school performance:
– 80% achieved Advanced Status on their individual performance.
– 78% missed less than 10 days of school per school year.
– 67% of BTEC former and current students took at least two AP courses.
– 99% graduated from high school.
• In last decade, a majority of BTEC students went to attend:
– TWIGs after school program – Baltimore School for the Arts
– Peabody Conservatory — Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra
– Many of the nation’s top universities: Johns Hopkins, Stanford, Berklee, University of Virginia, Brown, Case Western, Emory, and others.
BTEC’s NOTEWORTHY ALUMNI
TROY STUART, cellist, graduate of Peabody, Oberlin, Baltimore School for the Arts…and BTEC. Stuart is also a founding member of the Ritz Chamber Players, a group intended to boost participation of African American musicians in classical music.
JIM EAGAN, recent graduate of BTEC and current violinist specializing in traditional Irish music. Member of O’Malley’s March, along with the Governor.
ELIANA FABIYI, Soloist with Klemerized Band. Began studies for violin at BTEC at age 5, went to City College, and expected to attend Brown University in Fall 2010.
AND, YOUR CHILD.