JUSTIN Gets A Well-Deserved Standing Ovation at Martin Luther King Memorial!!

What an incredible day today in Albany, NY, as Justin took his place among the stars!! And there were stars aplenty present at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Observance in Albany today! George Huff (American Idol Finalist and nicest guy ever!!) gave a brilliant gospel performance, and The Apollo Kids "Star Of Tomorrow" winner, Nikita, is bound to earn that title!! Girl can sAAAAAAANG!!! Also, there was a 6 year old trumpet player who has performed at the White House and with some very famous jazz musicians!! Barbara Howard, Jim Lucas, & a member of the Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe also helped pay homage to Dr. King, one of the most important and courageous American heroes. Justin sang the national anthem to begin the tribute, and later in the program blew away the audience with his rendition of Sam Cooke's "Change Is Gonna Come". Below are some video and photo highlights of this unforgettable day!!

Below is a video of his UNBELIEVABLE performance of "Change Is Gonna Come". After the song is done, listen to American Idol finalist George Huff's high praise for P.S.22's young prodigy!



Justin & Mr. B with American Idol finalist, George Huff


Justin rehearses the national anthem with the State Trooper Honor Guard


The Stars Of Tomorrow: Justin with Apollo Kids "Star Of Tomorrow" winner, Nikita!!


Six year old trumpet player, Geoffrey!!


George Huff gives Justin high praise to Mr. B's camcorder!

Catch PS22 Chorus Member JUSTIN Perform at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Broadcast on 1/15/07

Justin's long awaited appearance at the Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Observance is just around the corner!! New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer, American Idol Finalist George Huff, The Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe, the winner of the prestigious Apollo Kids competition, and many more will be there with Justin to pay tribute to one of the all-time greatest American heroes.

If you're in New York City, make sure to tune in to channel 75 (NOT channel 25 as is listed on the official Dr. King memorial website -- thanks Miss Toni for the info!) at 9:00 AM on Monday, January 15, 2007 (Martin Luther King Day). If you don't live in the city, but are located in or around the tri-state area, you too might be able to catch Justin's performance (which should come on about an hour or so into the broadcast). The following website will give you the channel in your area that will be airing the event:

http://nyking.org/celebration/liveview.html

Please remember that if you are in NYC (including Staten Island obviously), turn on channel 75 to see Justin's breath-taking rendition of Sam Cooke's "Change Is Gonna Come"!

You can also find out more information about the event by going to:

nyking.org

And of course the entire PS22 Chorus are all right behind Justin, supporting and wishing him the best of luck as he makes his first appearance in a huge stadium venue! It may be his first, but we know it certainly won't be his last!! CONGRATS JUSTIN!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR from the PS22 CHORUS!!

To do our part to usher in a fantastic new year, The PS22 Chorus brings you 2 classic performances from December of 2002! The first is an updated, much better quality version of the previously posted "Winter" by Tori Amos. The second is an awesome rendition of "Hasida", sung in Hebrew and on the amazing self-titled album by Shlomo Gronich & The Sheba Choir. These are 2 definitive PS22 Chorus classics!

"WINTER" by Tori Amos (from the dress-rehearsal for our 2002 holiday show)


"HASIDA" by Shlomo Gronich & The Sheba Choir (also filmed at the dress-rehearsal....)

See PS22 Perform on Channel 34 CTV at the Borough Hall Tree Lighting in Staten Island

If you're a Time Warner Cable customer in Staten Island, tune in to channel 34 today at 11:00 AM (12/24), at midnite tonight (12/25), and at 2:30 PM the day after Christmas (12/26), to see the PS22 Chorus sing 4 holiday selections at the Borough Hall Tree Lighting!

PS22's Seventh Annual Holiday Choral Concert A "GIGANTICAL" Success!

The fifth grade chorus starts off on just the right note with Tori Amos' song, "Happy Workers"! And then Eric & Josh jolly up the crowd in their own inimitable fashion!!


Dario leads the chorus and then the entire audience in a moving version of Silent Night! It was a special moment! And the audience even sung on key! How often does that happen?!


PS22 Chorus delivers on the Edwin R. Hawkins gospel classic, "Oh Happy Day"! This was a special request by our beloved "chorus earth mother" Mrs. Burns, and we're delighted that it lived up to your expectations!!


Former PS22 student Deon (featured on various previous posts) wrote this little crowd-pleaser, "Santa"! Nelson is a perfect fit for this jazzy comic tune, and has the audience in hysterics!


Breana & Lynette are hilarious as they introduce "Ode To My Clothes" by Tori Amos. Their comic timing was impeccable, and sets the stage for the silly, yet beautiful little song. Chaylene captures the essence of the song so perfectly, and the audience approves enthusiastically!!
!

The adorable twins, Jessica & Marissa, win over the audience with their AMAZING rendition of Justin & Mr. B's original song, "Nothing's Stopping Me"! Unfortunately, the twins will be leaving P.S.22 after the holiday vacation. We will miss them terribly, and certainly wish them all the best in their new home! Personally though, J&M, I think we have to think up a new and better plot to keep you here.... It looks like our conspiracy was not a success.... ;)


Justin & Mariah sing Bethlehem, Justin & Mr. B's original song that made a fan out of Marcia Gay Harden....


Then Justin scores MAJOR brownie points with the principal when he dedicates the encore, Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You", to her! Needless to say (if you've ever heard Justin sing), the crowd goes wild!!


And last, but not least, check out this highly amusing version of "The Dreidel Song", as performed by the AMAZING opening act, The PS22 4th Grade Chorus!! As they say, the future's so bright I gotta wear shades!

Mr. B's Choir (& Bad Hair) Days from 1992....

Just for fun, I thought I'd post MY choir from my college days, while I was studying music in SUNY New Paltz. I was in the concert choir for 2 years, and this concert was in May of 1992. We were under the direction of Lee Pritchard, who was one of my favorite professors in college. The piano player is...... some guy...... but he was really, really good....... and stuff....

And if any of my students or former students make one crack about my hair.... I'm talking to YOU, Tyrell!

A 30 second song that took eons to get right! I think it's by Charles Ives and called "Mr. Reilly".


This is my favorite American folk song.... "Shenandoah". I've done this song with my own chorus years ago, and based my 2 part arrangement on this version, maybe by Aaron Copland. (I wish I could remember these things. See, boys and girls? Pay attention in music class!)

PS22 Chorus parties at Academy Award-winner Marcia Gay Harden's house!!

Marcia Gay Harden greets the PS22 Chorus on her doorstep!


What can we say about the night of December 16th, 2006? Can it get any cooler than receiving an invite to perform at the home of an Academy Award-winning actress?! The answer is yes -- performing for a person who (incidentally!) meets the above criteria, yet someone who is down to earth, gracious, and one who simply radiates humanity. That is Marcia Gay Harden, a genuine human being! Marcia fell in love with the chorus when she saw the kids perform at the Rainbow Room last month, and followed through on an invitation for them to sing at her home for a very intimate private holiday party! The kids were treated as honored guests, and we were all very appreciative of Marcia, her husband, family, and friends for the utmost in hospitality!

The kids performed magnificently! They had Marcia and the rest of her guests alternately in tears and smiles! It was so sweet to see Marcia's kids and their little friends singing along with the chorus. Aside from performing inside her home, chorus members said that the highlights of the trip included caroling outside in the neighborhood with Marcia, and playing afterwards with her adorable kids! We thank Marcia Gay Harden sincerely for giving the kids (and their loyal entourage!!) a night they will never forget!

If you haven't seen the Rainbow Room performance where we first caught Marcia's eye and ear, check out:
http://ps22chorus.blogspot.com/2006/11/and-finally-rainbow-room-performance.html

And to hear what Marcia says to the chorus, and some inspiring words for them, check out:
http://ps22chorus.blogspot.com/2006/11/some-bonus-rainbow-room-photovideo.html


Below are some pictures from the party. I will also begin to compile some video highlights of the event which I will post later....


(Click pics to enlarge)

Marcia introduces us to her guests!


The kids sing their hearts out for Marcia and her guests!


Marcia poses with the kids!


A'caroling we go!


Dario leads the chorus, and the neighborhood joins in on "Silent Night"!


Marcia says goodbye and wishes us all happily holidays! The baby Marcia was holding wasn't happy to see that the chorus was leaving.... (TOO cute)

The Chorus is performing tomorrow at The Colgate Building in Manhattan!

The Chorus Gives Back To The Community!

Today the chorus visited the Sunrise home for the elderly in Brooklyn, and brightened the day of the many appreciative seniors in attendance! We were very proud of them for their good deed and job well-done! Below are some highlights in pictures and video from the very special day we spent at Sunrise (not the least of which was seeing Mr. B's nana!).....


Mariama and the chorus rock out "This Christmas" by Donnie Hathaway! Hard to believe we just put this song together last week!!


Dario and the chorus sing "Silent Night" as the seniors sing along!


Mariama sings her heart out!


(From left) Doyin, Alex, Mr. B, Ziha, Mr. B's nana Bertie, Mr. B's brother Jamey, & Shanece

Seven Classic PS22 Chorus Selections from 2005!

Here is a song that the soloist Ben (and his also-incredibly talented brother Eric) taught me when they arrived from Liberia, and boy oh boy, wouldn't he make Kirk Franklin proud?! It's called "Now Behold The Lamb."



The chorus sings Tori Amos' "Not The Red Baron", inspired by DAVID's legendary solo performance of the song.



The chorus, featuring TAO, sings Faithless' "Baseball Cap"! A student favorite for obvious reasons!!



The chorus, featuring the incredible P.S.22 alumnus DEON,
sings the "Degrassi Next Generation" theme song.


The chorus sings a medley of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" and New Kids On The Block member Joe McIntyre's "Stay The Same"! Another classic!



The chorus featuring FAITH singing "Ooh Child", one of my favorite songs of all time!



FABIAN leads the chorus in this preview of our graduation song, aptly titled "Graduation Song (Friends Forever)" by Vitamin C.

PS22 Chorus "stirs gasps & cheers" at the Borough Hall Tree Lighting Ceremony!

(Click on the article to enlarge)

PS22 Chorus member JUSTIN sings a solo version of "Ode To My Clothes" by Tori Amos

"Ode To My Clothes" will be sung by the entire chorus at their upcoming winter concert, but here's a sneak preview of the song performed by soloist Justin. He is singing both the melody & the harmony, and does an absolutely brilliant job. Click on the link below to hear.

PS22 Chorus feat. Justin -- Ode To My Clothes (by Tori Amos)

Thanks a trillion to Raspy at Afterglow for hosting this & more!! XO2