Main photo: The 47-student Packer Chorus. Above: "Notes" Honorary Chair Jay Kriegel, Senior Advisor, The Related Companies. Below: Friends of BBCS with Leslie Klein, Director of Adult Rehabilitation Services, far right, at the VIP reception in the Packer Commons.

Nearly 200 friends of the Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service (BBCS) attended Notes from Brooklyn, a musical celebration that saluted Brooklyn's rich artistic heritage and honored the invaluable work of the Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service on December 3 at the Packer Collegiate Institute Chapel. Presented by Sing for Hope and the Five Boroughs Music Festival, the evening's program included a celebration of Walt Whitman's rich cultural legacy in Brooklyn and featured some of New York City's most talented performers including pianist Jocelyn Dueck, baritones Andrew Wilkowske and David McFerrin, and soprano Anne-Carolyn Bird. A new work by composer Tom Cipullo featured a special performance by the Packer Chorus, a 47-student ensemble, directed by Esther Harris. Brooklyn-based composer-pianist-singer Gabriel Kahane performed some of his own works, and Brooklyn's own M Shanghai String Band ended the evening on a high note.

Inspired by the work of the Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service, all artists performing in Notes From Brooklyn waived their fees so that all funds raised went directly to the Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service.

The Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service would like to thank the following sponsors of Notes from Brooklyn for their generous support:

A Cook's Companion
Artistic Resources Development
Barry Newmark and Helene Newmark
BodyscapesKids®
Brown Harris Stevens
Bruno's Home Center
Cobble Hill Realty Inc.
Corporate Synergies
Hire Power
Irene Dinov Hair Salon (Montague St)
James Weir Floral
La Bagel (Court St)
NCH Studio, Inc.
Paul Signs
Perfect Renovation
Plymouth Church of the Pilgrim
Prudential Douglas Realty
Rapisarda
Rose and Kissin LLP
Sovereign Bank
Teresa's Restaurant (Montague St)
The Execu/Search Group
World Class Business Products
World Financial Group