Huffington Post: The Brooklyn Steppers March Forward, Giving to the Community and Gaining in the Process

In high school I had been manager of our marching band in Ohio. It was a grueling task, but rewarding to see my friends play and march so well. The program took much space and resources, and I was surprised last year to discover that there was a marching band in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn. Known as the Brooklyn Steppers, these urban youth played at a benefit for Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) after the earthquake in Haiti. They were sensational!

The Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band is committed to offering once-in-a-lifetime performing opportunities to youth in Brooklyn, while simultaneously supporting their intellectual, civic, cultural and social growth. Under the leadership of Antonio Thompson since last July, the band represents students from different middle schools and high schools across Brooklyn.

I spoke with Antonio last week. With the collapse of the economy, the Brooklyn Steppers budget has fallen from $300,000 to $100,000. Like everyone in the non-profit world, Antonio is challenged holding his program together. As a classical and jazz trumpeter with a Masters degree in music performance and arts administration from New York University, Antonio has a personal connection to music and the arts, and the professional grounding to manage musical programs effectively.

Entire entry.