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THE BOYS’ CLUB OF NEW YORK MAKES A POSITIVE IMPACT
WITH HELP FROM KORG KEYBOARDS

MELVILLE, NY, July 10, 2008 — Currently in its 132nd year, the Boys’ Club of New York is a non-profit organization serving hundreds of inner-city boys ages 6-18 in the New York City region. For a nominal yearly fee of 50 cents, the boys gain access to the Club’s three world-class facilities, which include educational/tutoring and athletic spaces. East Harlem’s 111th Street Gerry Clubhouse is also home to six state-of-the-art music studios offering students free private lessons and practice opportunities for piano, guitar, bass, drums, sax and vibraphone. A second music facility, at the Harriman Clubhouse, recently opened on the Lower East Side at 287 E. 10th St. Additionally, a third facility at the Abbe Clubhouse in Flushing, Queens, is scheduled to start its Music Program in 2008/2009.

After several years of careful research and planning by Music Education Director Malcolm Swisher, the Gerry Music Program opened its doors in 2000. The mission was to provide underprivileged youth with free music lessons by New York’s finest professional musicians. Since its inception, Korg keyboards have been at the center of the Boys’ Club’s musical world. Currently 200 students take 300 lessons weekly across the two locations, with over half taking piano lessons (some work with MIDI) on Korg products, according to Swisher.

Supporting a full arsenal of Korg concert pianos, as well as computer stations with Korg TRITON and other music workstation products, the Gerry Clubhouse is “very Korg-friendly, to say the least,” according to Swisher. In addition, he has already acquired six new Korg C-520 concert pianos as part of his plan to create a similarly strong Korg presence in the new facility.

“All of us [the teachers] have used Korg keyboards and synthesizers in our professional careers, going back to the M1,” says Swisher. “When I started the Gerry facility, I wanted to use top-notch equipment – I figure if you buy something good, it’s going to last, and of course I wanted to get the kids starting out right away with the best tools possible. That’s why we went to Korg as our first choice for pianos and synths.”

For the students, the piano studios provide a rewarding outlet whenever they can get behind an instrument. Swisher notes, “For the boys who don’t have a piano at home, these Korg keyboards are great – they can come in whenever, even when other students are having lessons, plug in headphones and practice their music. We give them every possible opportunity to practice.” He concludes, “Educating the kids and watching them grow and learn new skills, and exposing them to top-of-the-line equipment they probably wouldn’t normally get to play – it’s all a real treat for the teachers. It’s rewarding as a musician to be able to share and give back.”

It’s been another great year for the Boys’ Club of New York’s Music Education Department, as in 2007, this year’s season culminated in June with a concert at Harlem’s storied Apollo Theater. For more information about their music facilities, please contact Malcolm Swisher at: Malcolm.Swisher@bcny.org.

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Photo File 1: Korg_BCNY_Apollo.JPG
Photo Caption: The music students of the Boys’ Club of New York perform their year-end concert at the legendary Apollo Theater.

Photo File 2: Korg_BCNY_Gerry.JPG
Photo Caption: Pictured: Korg products housed in the Boys’ Club of New York’s 111th St. Gerry Clubhouse music facility.

 

—For more information, contact Korg, 316 South Service Rd, Melville, NY 11747.
Tel: (631) 390-6500; Fax: (631) 390-6501; Web: www.korg.com.

 

 

 

 

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