Description
The Brooklyn Model: Restructuring Classical Music through Community and Diversity by Michael Drapkin offers an in-depth look at how the Brooklyn Philharmonic—during its final two seasons (2011–2013)—pioneered a bold new paradigm for orchestra programming and audience engagement. Endorsed by Maestro Leonard Slatkin and former Boston Symphony CEO Mark Volpe (who also provides the book’s foreword), The Brooklyn Model rethinks everything from repertoire selection to concert location, uniting classical music’s heritage with the voices and traditions of local communities.
Drawing on first-hand accounts, original documents, photos, and video, Drapkin details how the Brooklyn Philharmonic—under music director Alan Pierson—actively forged connections with Brooklyn’s vibrant Black, Russian, and “hipster” neighborhoods. Instead of expecting people to visit a central concert hall for standard classical fare, the orchestra went into the community itself, collaborating with hip-hop luminaries like Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) and Erykah Badu, showcasing Russian cartoon scores, and hosting shape-note sing-alongs and remix competitions. A major highlight was the Outside-In program, which mentored non-classical creators to compose for orchestra.
Though the Brooklyn Phil eventually dissolved due to financial struggles, The Brooklyn Model remains a pioneering blueprint for ensembles large and small, new or established, aspiring to diversify their audiences, embrace local cultural voices, and revitalize the classical repertoire with a dynamic, community-driven approach.
