Summer school never sounded so sweet.
Students from three Bronx middle schools trumpeted the skills they acquired during a four-week summer brass class — made possible by an array of donated instruments.
The 17 aspiring Wynton Marsalises, Glenn Millers and Dizzy Gillespies — all students from the Pelham Academy, Bronx Green and Bronx Park middle schools that comprise the former Middle School 135 — spent their lazy, hazy summer days polishing their skills in the old school building in Allerton.
Equipped with trumpets, trombones and baritone horns, the students deftly played a few standards on Friday, including the classic “Hot Cross Buns.”
The endeavor was orchestrated with an assist from the community — and beyond. Bronx Park East Community Association President Raphael Schweizer, who attended the school as a youngster, spearheaded the drive to restore the music program.
“What the students produced today was significant — but it is also a testament to what can happen if you have that collaboration,” said Pelham Academy Principal Anthony Rivera.
Schweizer, 26, learned how to play the trumpet in the same building in the late ’90s under music director Mitch Rubensky, whom he credited as his inspiration for the resurrection of the music at MS 135.
The effort by Schweizer and the community association netted more than 126 instruments from other schools, musicians and neighborhood residents.
Susan Dorien, who lives in Croton-on-Hudson, read a story about their campaign in the Daily News last year and was inspired to post flyers in her own neighborhood. She collected four trumpets, three clarinets, a pair of saxophones and a flute.
“I don’t know nothing about music,” said Dorien, 57, a retired railroad conductor. “That’s not really the point; it’s about giving. I knew if I just put the word out I could do that.”
The donations helped expose the students to something they had never previously experienced.
“Most of these children had never played an instrument,” said Angeleisha Rodgers, their teacher. “Some of them didn’t even know how to hold it.”
Three times a week, Rodgers, 27, taught them the basics of reading sheet music, and converting what used to look like gibberish into something melodious.
“Learning an instrument is a really good talent to learn,” said John Kelly, a student from Pelham Academy.
Bronx Green student Steven Garcia added: “I’m normally into other stuff. (This) was the very first time I played the trumpet. I’m proud to be a part of this program.”
