More congrats to the chorus!! After posting our new video of "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga, Perez Hilton picked it up and posted it on his blog within minutes!
So this song was actually a farewell request from Perez and a farewell thanks from the fifth grade PS22 Chorus of 2009 to the man who was the driving force behind putting the kids on the map. After posting 5 of their videos this school year alone, Perez Hilton has brought millions of viewers, both directly and indirectly, into the world of the PS22 Chorus. Big thanks for believing in these kids, and for raising awareness to the importance of music and the arts in education. Indebted.
So when I found out he wanted a Lady Gaga song, I was a little petrified! I honestly didn't know if we could pull off something like that. But the kids were asking for Lady Gaga themselves, so I put it on them to rewrite some of the lyrics to "Just Dance" to make it something that would be okay for school. And with just a little lyrical tweaking on their part, they totally recreated this song. I dare say they completely ROCK IT!!! And as you see the kids are loving it too!
UPDATE: Below is a screencap of the honors this video has received so far! Take notice of the #1 most watched music video today!! As always, we will update until they peak!
UPDATE 6/17/09: Okay, 2 days later and the honors are still rising for this video, along with being featured on CNN Headline News!! We are still holding the #1 most watched music video spot, but now the kids have risen to the #3 most watched video (music or otherwise)!!! CONGRATS, KIDS!!!!
So when I found out he wanted a Lady Gaga song, I was a little petrified! I honestly didn't know if we could pull off something like that. But the kids were asking for Lady Gaga themselves, so I put it on them to rewrite some of the lyrics to "Just Dance" to make it something that would be okay for school. And with just a little lyrical tweaking on their part, they totally recreated this song. I dare say they completely ROCK IT!!! And as you see the kids are loving it too!
UPDATE: Below is a screencap of the honors this video has received so far! Take notice of the #1 most watched music video today!! As always, we will update until they peak!
UPDATE 6/17/09: Okay, 2 days later and the honors are still rising for this video, along with being featured on CNN Headline News!! We are still holding the #1 most watched music video spot, but now the kids have risen to the #3 most watched video (music or otherwise)!!! CONGRATS, KIDS!!!!
78 comments:
I saw this clip--it was so much fun. You are amazing with these students-you are a born teacher and they know it. It shows in their faces. What a gift. BTW--I have been following your group's progress and have emailed you regarding a National Conference. How do I reach you? (without feeling like a stalker!!!) Congratulations on your success.
SOOO behind in my mail, diane. sorry about that.... promise i'll get back to you, but it may take a couple of weeks! thanks for your patience, and not giving up on me! :)
Ya'll TOTALLY rocked this song!!! I think I have watched this like 5 times in the hour its been up! Phenomenal!!!
Love this song!!!
Love the kids!
SUZ: thanks! and thanks for the e-mails. sorry i can't get back, cuz my account is maxed out, and i can't write from my board of ed e-mail address.... gonna have to get them to give me more space on this account!
PANZELLA: is this panzEERA??? ;)
This is really fantastic. As someone who wanted to teach but followed a different path, this is so heartwarming. Your kids are so talented and it is obvious you have a talent for bringing it out.
the one and only!
KAREN: thanks from ALL of us! :)
PANZELLA: PANZEEEEEEEEEEERA!!!! :)
Well, first of all, I want to congrats the teacher of this childrens. They're just amazing!
I was in a forum about Lady GaGa, when I found Just Dance's cover, and it is totally awesome!
Now, I watched Don't Stop Believin' (my favorite song ever), and I loved it! Just to you guys know, I'm from Brazil, and there's a few people here that know you guys! :D
But now, my request: could you guys sing the song Love Story by Taylor Swift. I'm a huge Taylor's fan, so if you guys could do it, I would be very happy! :D
Bye!
That's awesome Pedro, thanks! It's a little too late this year for any more requests, but remind me next year, and we'll see what we can do! :)
:D
Oh, that's bad. :(
Okay, I'll remember you so.
Anyway, thanks. :)
Mr. B,
I think it is so great what you do for these kids. When I saw the video of them singing Flying Dutchman by Tori Amos it brought me to tears. They are all so incredibly talented and also very lucky to have a great teacher like you. Keep doing what your doing!
Thanks Toni!! And Flying Dutchman is a personal favorite here for sure. :)
I wish the best for these kids, and the ones who will follow in their footsteps next year!
I always get a little teary-eyed watching these videos- makes me miss working in the classroom!
thanks bridget! don't worry, the ps22 chorus will be in good hands with the up and comers.... but this group is definitely gonna kill me watching em go. :(
Any chance the chorus can sing Binky the Brontosaur, the Shutup song, or the Stupid song? Please?
lolol!!!!!! SOOO funny you should leave this comment sara, cuz i just sang both the stupid and the shut up song with my fifth graders just 2 weeks ago for the first time in my history of teaching! you must be psychic!!! i totally forgot the second verse of the shut up song tho.... :(
cool to hear from you!! :)
Ok so I am intrigued... what is the stupid song and the shut up song... I feel remiss in not knowing them!
lol! i should keep the air of mystery alive surrounding these songs, but alas, i will tell all. ;) i used to work as a music specialist at a camp, and these were songs we used to sing....
haha! well... since you spilled the beans you know that now you have to record them ;) ;) I mean seriously... what ELSE do you have to do at the end of the year (insert overworked teacher sarcasm here!)
Greetings from Argentina!! I just found you and your choir through youtube (by chance, I was looking for 1000 oceans by Tori Amos).
I'm a music student myself and a Singing teacher, you and your kinds has just made my day!
Recently I was chating to a friend of mine, telling her about my carreer. Stuff like this makes me know, deep in my heart, that music is the right path to follow.
Thank you!
PS: Mind my writting, it has been a long time since I used my written english.
ha! maybe you'll see the stupid song..... if not, remind me next year, and i'll definitely do it! :)
hahaha. so my friend and I were just trying to figure out the 2nd verse but we couldn't remember it either. But do you remember the full lyrics of Binky? (We were in k'ton ton about 18 years ago, and whenever we're being idiots we sing it, but we really only remember the beginning and the end)...haha anyway, we just put the awesome adorable youtube videos of ps 22 and gregor the music man together, so we're pretty psyched. lol
Considering those are the 2 of the 3 things my kids are positively not allowed to say in class (along with "I hate" ) I will be anxiously awaiting these gems!
SARA: ahem. ahem. here we go.
Binky the brontosaur
Loved the other dinosaurs
He lived to give and he loved to share
He loved spreading joy...everywhere!
Binky the brontosaur
Was good friends with a Tyrannosaur
Though Mr. Rex had a really bad name
Binky loved him just the same
Cuz Binky the Brontosaur
Loved the other dinosaurs
He loved to give and he loved to share
He loved spreading joy...EVERYWHERE!
(ominous music)
But....one.....day.....
Mr. Rex the Tyrannosaur
Had a craving for a Brontosaur
It was dark and he couldn't see....
And that was the end of poor Binky
SUZ: ha! well we don't quite encourage them either.... ;) but the songs are cute, especially the stupid song.
SARA: see what you've done?!?!? ;)
OMG!!!! that is hysterical! and how old were these kids at camp-- 7 and under-ish?
I saw you guys on CNN tonight, and had to find your videos on you tube. Very moving. You are doing a great job. These kids sing their hearts out. What a vivid demonstration of the power of music and how badly it is needed in schools. Keep up the good work!
Andy (an art teacher)
AMAZING...from one teacher to another. Perhaps you may try Gypsy by Suzanne Vega or Half A World Away by R.E.M.
CONGRATULATIONS! :D It's wonderful to see children enjoy choral music. :)
THANKS TO ALL!! :)
I just wanted to say that every time I see and hear these kids it gives me goosebumps. They are truly amazing and you are wonderful for doing what you do.
What a wonderful video! I first saw it on CNN's Headline News and watched the full video on YouTube. With all the negative news, it's heartwarming to see something postive. Very talented. Thanks for sharing this!
Hey there! Absolutely loved this video... and am actually in the same boat as some of these other commenters in that I'm a reporter looking to get in touch with you but the emails keep bouncing back :)
Would love a quick interview, if you have 20 minutes to spare over the phone. I work for the National Post, one of Canada's daily national newspapers, based in Toronto. You can reach me at this email. Thanks!!
OMG kids you are the best, God Bless you all.
You guys are unbelievable.
"Mr. B." good luck and keep on doing the good job.
Harold Olivares
This performance is amazing. I am not tired of hearing it. The girl who sings alone has a fantastic voice. If she continues working on it I am sure that she will get very far. Mr. B the job you are doing with these children is noteworthy. I wish there were a lot of people like you. Sorry about my English, is not very good.
Greetings from Spain.
WOW! your blog is AMAZING! completely AMAZING! Kids are so beautiful! fabulous work you do!!
pretty cool! love it!
This song is just awesome, Tizrah's voice is really impressive, she's really gifted. Kids look happy and seem to have fun and that's the more important :)
I discovered the PS22 Chorus 2 days ago and i have to say that it's been a long time i haven't been surprised like that.
Keep up the good work Mr. B, you and the kids are amazing.
Best from France.
oops sorry, i'm almost sure i did a mistake ; i meant Tirzah ;)
sorry again :)
I am completely blown away by the kids. I saw the piece on Nightline and the next morning just had to share it with my 4th grade class on Cape Cod. My kids loved the videos and songs...we can't get enough of them. I am hoping to piece together your music so that I can play it during work times or when the kids just need to calm down. Keep up the great work, what we do is so important. Happy graduation to the kids and have a great summer!
AMAZING!!!
From Spain, I only can say: congratulations!!!
:)) thanks
Congratulations!
Impresionante, precioso y emocionante....
This is the most beutifull song that I every see. (Exuse me my bad English )
Desde españa, un saludo , y seguir asi!!
Good work PS22, and good work Mr. B !!
I've discovered the PS22 choir today. The first thing that came to my mind -and I'm absolutely sure I'm not the only one feeling the same way- is how I really wish I had this incredibly high quality of musical education when I was a kid. Your teaching way should be the norm and not the exception.
I don't have children -yet- but rest assured I'd want you as my kids' music teacher if I did!! (It's a shame I don't even live in the US. I'm a 28 y/o argentinean living in Madrid, Spain).
I don't know if you take suggestions for songs for the kids to sing, but given the fact that I've watched all the PS22 vids in Youtube and I still can't get enough, I'll list my suggestions anyway :)
- Any Stevie Wonder song
- Blind Melon's "No Rain"
- Dave Matthews Band "Stay (Wasting time)"
- Massive Attack's "Teardrop"
- Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi"
- Any Sting song
- Newton Faulkner's "Dream Catch Me"
I guess some of the songs would need some re-writing of some lyrics.. anyway, there's no limit to what these kids can achieve, given the incredible motivation you are giving them.
You and your choir are absolutely amazing, Mr. B! Thank you for making my day!
what a talented group - loved seeing this! How lucky they are to have such a motivated fun teacher! Wishing you all tons of future success!!!
Congratulations on being a "Blog of Note"... so that some of we grandma types who don't follow Perez or Ashton find you...
You are obviously a wonderful, caring teacher... and you are giving these children something very special... you're making them feel special... self-confidence... a love and understanding of music... things that will follow them into adulthood... the list goes on and on...
a wonderful teacher... worth his weight in gold!
have a cool summer and a wonderful year of amazing music to come...
wow amazing Tirzah always had an amazing voice but MARIAH.
U 2 SOUND PER FEC TO
hi, I love it, you are so beautiful, God bless you all. Michelle, Brasil.
Wow!!!
I love this song!!!! All in this song is amazing. Tirzah and Mariah put all on the song, and the chorus... Just Dance!!!
I really loved it!!!
Greets from Spain!!
(Is incredible all the people from my country that watch PS22 videos. We love you)
I love it! It is so fun and eclictic! You have some talented kids in this choir! I bet we will be hearing their names in the future!
Dear Gregg,
Just saw the Just Dance clip off of perezhilton.com. Thank you. I am so happy these children have YOU in their life. I know you get a lot of press, and to add to it (granted we're much smaller)I wanted you to know I honored you in our blog @ www.inhonorof.com. I know you are busy, however if you get a chance, please check out the honoree post dedicated to you and the PS22 Chorus. You are a true inspiration! Keep up the amazing work.
www.inhonorof.com The World Needs to Know! ~Jessy
I can really see the passion for music in these kids! What a beautiful thing. I'm so glad you have a group of students who seems to love singing together. I was once in Honors Choir as an elementary student and I loved singing, but I hated the choir. The instructor was horrible and I wanted out. You've done such a great job making it enjoyable for these kids.
you people are so awesome for taking the time to leave these awesome comments from all around the country, and the world! you don't know how much seeing these comments inspires me and the kids! we love you all!!!
:)
Mr B, I would love to make you guys a professional website. I figured this would be the best way to get a hold of you since your mail is backed up. Feel free to email me at rpdonahue12312@aim.com for more info.
Ryan Donahue
thanks ryan! give me a little time to end this year out -- our schedule is hectic and i don't even have time to THINK about changing up the blog, but the invitation is awesome and appreciated!! after the school year ends, let's discuss. thanks again!
Ok. Don't forget though! Write my email down.
I just can't get enough of watching these guys! I was so excited to see a new video up, and sure enough, "Just Dance" is absolutely amazing, as always. :) I work with 4th and 5th graders in an after school program, and I wish my kids had opportunities like this!! I'm in college studying to be an elementary teacher, and seeing how you have inspired these kids and helped them feel so much success REALLY inspires me to do the same! Not that I am NEARLY as musical as you, but I hope I can inspire them in other ways!! THANK YOU and your amazing kids for showing the world what kids can do, and how important it is to give them opportunities like this!
Congratulations! I have so many fond memories of being in chorus during elementary & middle school. You are doing such a an amazing thing for these kids!
Mr. B, you and these kids are amazing! After seeing another article today in the Advance about P.S. 22's chorus I've been perusing your YouTube videos for the first time. You have helped these kids develop talent, confidence and self-esteem they might otherwise never have come to know they had. Keep up the great work, and if you don't mind, a song suggestion: Would love to hear them do "River of Dreams" (Billy Joel). I bet they'd do it justice! Cheers, and God Bless.
The choir is great! <3
Shawna's Study Abroad
Absolutly great surprise!
Una salutació from Barcelona!
Mr. B is a truly amazing teacher. Hats off to him for doing a fantastic job with these children. I am truly impressed with his enthusiasm and obvious care for these children. While they are amazing in their own right, Mr. B provides a vehicle for them to express themselves and be heard around the world.
I wish we had more teachers like this!
Great job!
Awesome job! My kids love this and wanted to know what your students are singing (obviously quite different from the original). Are you able to print/email the lyrics as sung by the PS22 chorus? Understandable if you can't. Cheers, and keep up the good work!
lol, the kids changed 'em. i'm not 100% sure. maybe if they're reading this, they can respond? ;)
I JUST LOVE IT! I've been watching it over and over again for 2 hours!! I love Tirzah's voice! And I think this version is way better than the original! You're making a great job, I can't get enough!! Being a teacher, I can see the passion in your eyes: you're an awesome teacher and the kids are having so much fun with you! Sending lots of support and love from France!
thanks so much M!! great to hear from fellow teachers.... :)
Hey Mr. B :-),
its alawys a big pleasure to see and hear ur kids singing.
several weeks ago I already posted a comment in ur viva la vida spot.
man, try to earn money with these fantastic kids, offer them a great future with this money and bring them to germany :)
we all are waiting 4 ya :)
best greets and whishes from germany, regards, Denny (m, 23 yrs, Germany)
Congratulations!!!
you guys are AMAZING!!!! I read one thing on Perez and I've been hooked ever since!! The smiles in the kids faces- priceless.
I really love it!
I have never seen something like this!! Its so perfect.
Go on with this!
I wanna hear more songs!
Good luck!
Woaaahh
what a voice of tirzah!
Best Regards From a fanPS22 of Portugal (Europe)
Congratulations!
Wow they are so good, we do you practice at? I think a trip to Iowa would be very good if possible?
i am from the moore catholic chamber ensemble and we saw you when e were singing for cable. you guys are truly amazing and it gives me the chillls everytime i hear how great you guys are. your such a wonderful teacher and artist.
thank you lexie for those really kind words! and trust me, i was completely blown away by your group as well! the kids jaws were dropped, and they're tough critics! excited to see the shows when they get around to airing them... happy holidays! :)
so, "just dance" is on my favorites list on youtube and today i was watching it again and it came up with a message at the top about a download available on the site. well, here i am and I am pretty good with computers (and great with music, cause I am an online dj); but i can't for the life of me figure out how to download that song, or even where to find the audio so i can right click the song. all i can find is the link to the blog post. please HELP
Here's a direct link to the post with the "Just Dance" mp3. :)
http://ps22chorus.blogspot.com/2009/08/ps22-chorus-2009-mp3s.html
thank you!
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