The Return of Clive!

Every once in a while we are treated to visits from some of our wonderful PS22 alumni. Here we present two separate visits and performances from one of the most memorable PS22 has ever known -- former PS22 Chorus of 2004 member Clive (pictured above at our most recent Winter Concert!!) The first is a great song by the brilliant Nick Drake called "Northern Sky," and the second is the theme from Disney's Tarzan, "You'll Be In My Heart" by Phil Collins, the latter accompanied by Clive's friend and musical cohort, Corey! Both songs are executed phenomenally, and all the talent in the room is just bursting at the seams...

The PS22 Chorus PSA Debuts!!!

Presented here is the magnum opus of the PS22 Chorus of 2012 -- "Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane in full three part harmony (a first for the chorus!) as featured in the public service announcement for the National Forest Foundation, which debuted tonight and will now be appearing on the Discovery Channel and all its affiliated networks! Below the PSA is the full three minute 'auditorium' version of this magnificent song, featuring pics taken by Ms. Lisa the day of the shoot....

Big thanks and props go to Discovery Creative, creative director James Gilbey, director Jeanne Kopeck, DP Andrew Turman, producer Joanne Golden, agency producer Marley Bunce, editors Tom Welborn & Walter Padgett, and audio mixer Chris Toland!! Still more great performances to come from her our 2012-ers, so not to fear!!  In the meantime, check out more pics from the PSA shoot, the first two kindly provided by Andy Turman!

UPDATE (7-20-12): Big thanks to Perez Hilton for his awesome praise of the PSA!!

PS22 Does PSA for National Forest Foundation!!

The National Forest Foundation put out a press release earlier this week for the public service announcement featuring the PS22 Chorus that is set to begin airing nationally this coming Monday, July 16th! The one minute commercial has the kids singing a sublime version of "Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane in full three part harmony (a first for the chorus!), and in addition features wonderful solo parts by Kahlil, Faith, and Cassara! The video was filmed in Walker Pond Park, a beautiful area in Staten Island's Greenbelt, and the location perfectly suited the message of preservation and conservation of our public lands. The commercial will debut at 8pm (UPDATE: THE PSA WILL APPEAR ON THE FIRST COMMERCIAL BREAK OF THE PROGRAM!) on the brand new network DESTINATION AMERICA, whose website contains a Channel Finder to help you locate the channel on your local television service. The press release contains more details and has gone out to just about every major media corporation, but you can check it out here on Reuters!

Once In A Lullaby Screenings at DocuWeeks™ in NY and LA!!

The much acclaimed PS22 Chorus documentary, ONCE IN A LULLABY, will be screening at the prestigious International Documentary Association's 16th Annual DocuWeeks™, which will allow theater-goers in both New York and Los Angeles multiple opportunities to see the film!  As many of you know the film premiered at Tribeca Film Festival, and also won Best Documentary at the 30th Annual New Jersey International Film Festival!

According to the website of the film's director, Jonathan Kalafer, here are the dates/times/locations of the screenings:

New York I.F.C. Center:    FRI 8/3 1:45 PM 7:30 PM, SAT 8/4 12:00 PM 5:15 PM, SUN 8/5 3:30 PM 9:40 PM, MON 8/6 1:45 PM 7:30 PM, TUE 8/7 12:00 PM 5:15 PM, WED 8/8 3:30 PM 9:40 PM, THU 8/9 1:45 PM 7:30 PM

Los Angeles Laemmle NoHo:  7 FRI 8/10 3:35 PM 9:50 PM, SAT 8/11 1:45 PM 7:30 PM, SUN 8/12 12:05 PM 5:20 PM, MON 8/13 3:35 PM 9:50 PM, TUE 8/14 1:45 PM 7:30 PM, WED 8/15 12:05 PM 5:20 PM, THU 8/16 3:35 PM 9:50 PM

And to whet your appetite, below is a great interview with Jonathan regarding the documentary that includes the film's trailer at the beginning of the video!

PS22 Chorus Returns To The Edge Of The Moon

Here is a much-improved updated presentation of a song we debuted earlier this year and revisited at one of our final rehearsals. It remains one of my personal favorite covers the chorus has ever performed, with this version only more so.... This is "Edge of the Moon" by Tori Amos.

Denise & Kiarah Set Fire To The Rain!

Perhaps the most anticipated duet.... ever!! Here are two legendary PS22 Chorus soloists joining forces on an impromptu stairwell performance of "Set Fire To The Rain" by Adele! Denise and Kiarah are magnificent... particularly love the harmonies Denise was coming up with on the transition to the chorus! Denise has already scored big following her success with PS22, appearing in a Target commercial and subsequently on Good Morning America and more! We have no doubt bigger and better things await BOTH of these young ladies!!

PS22 Chorus is a Part of Katy Perry!

For all of you excited to see Katy Perry's new documentary "PART OF ME" officially arriving in theaters tomorrow, you now have double the reason to be! The PS22 Chorus of 2011 kids have a cameo in the film, singing their version of "FIREWORK" that they performed at the Oscars Press Conference last year! SO COOL!!! (And if for some crazy reason you haven't seen Katy Perry sing the song with PS22 on OPRAH, you MUST click here immediately!!)

Allie Sings "Jar of Hearts"

Legendary PS22 Chorus of 2009 alumnus Allie (see "1000 Oceans," "Chasing Pavements," "An Angel,") returns to sing the beautiful "Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri, and demonstrates that like a fine wine, exceptional talent only improves with age! Especially amazing when considering this performance was completely impromptu, and she was reading the words off of her cell phone!! I tried to get her brother Michael (PS22 Chorus of 2012 member) to join in on the fun unsuccessfully, but he almost steals the show regardless!

Butterfly

Here the PS22 Chorus close out this amazing school year with an annual ritual. This is an original song called "Butterfly" which seemed fitting for the day, as the kids end this phase of their journey to go on to spread their wings and bestow their love and light upon the world....

And for all those who are already suffering PS22 Chorus of 2012 withdrawal, not to worry!  Much more to come from these kids.... On Monday, the kids went into a recording studio (courtesy of our friend Yuna and her management) and recorded five songs! More on that soon. They also recorded a Public Service Announcement for the National Forest Foundation which will begin airing nationally in July! There are also several previously unposted performances from the group including some of the best yet! With all this to look forward to, as well as some videos featuring some of your favorite PS22 Chorus alumni, there is plenty of reason to stay tuned to PS22 throughout the summer!

"My Wish"

PS22 Chorus of 2012 presents our graduation song, "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts. This was a request from our dear friend Ms. Lisa (our videographer), and the kids dedicated it to another dear friend, 5th grade teacher Valerie Panzella. Truly one of the greatest educators on the planet, no one is more deserving  than she of such a loving tribute....

PS22 Chorus of 2012 on ABC World News Tonight!!

The PS22 Chorus was featured again on the nationally syndicated ABC World News Tonight! Check out the fantastic piece that aired below, which focused on the kids' cover of Adele's "One And Only" and the PS22 Chorus Documentary!

Walk The Moon Shouts Out To PS22 on VH1!!!

This morning, our new friends Walk The Moon gave an incredible acoustic performance of their song "Anna Sun" on the VH1 show Big Morning Buzz!! Before the performance, they gave PS22 Chorus an amazing shout out!! Check it out below! (The PS22 discussion begins at 1:10 into the video!)