Footage from The Black Achievement Awards!

On Feb. 25, Justin represented the chorus (because of rough weather) at the 2007 Black Achievement Awards with Borough President James Molinaro hosting the event. It was a thrill to see Anthony Tucker, the sibling of two of our chorus greats, Ben & Eric Tucker, as one of the three award recipients. He and his family came from a war-torn Liberia, and hearing his story was emotional and inspirational. CONGRATULATIONS to Anthony & the Tucker family.

Justin sings the Star Spangled Banner.


Justin sings Bethlehem, the song that he and I wrote while improvising one day.

World Trade Center Museum Is Interested In P.S.22's September 11th Docu-drama For Possible Exhibition

We are honored beyond words to have been contacted this week by Tribute WTC 9/11 Visitor Center! Apparently after seeing some excerpts of our 2002 film (PS22 Chorus: Excerpts from "The Conference", PS22's award-winning September 11th Movie), they thought our project might fit in well with the center's up-coming summer-fall youth exhibit.

While nothing is definite yet, we will keep you posted. But they were very impressed by the genuineness, candor, and heart of the children interviewed in the documentary segments. They were also impressed with the AMAZING Mrs. Jeanne Burns, who did a masterful job of engaging these children, and allowing them a forum to feel safe to express and come to catharses. She brought them to a healing, and they in turn bring that to us when we watch the film. We are so very proud of this project, and it means a lot to know that its impact is still being felt after 5 years.

If you would like to find out more about the film or see more excerpts, click on the above link. If you would like to learn more about Tribute WTC 9/11 Visitor Center you can visit their website at: Tribute WTC 9/11 Visitor Center

The Chorus Will Be Performing at Women In History Event!

Date: Thursday, March 29th, 2007
Time: 7:30 P.M.
Place: Mount Manresa Church in Staten Island

We look forward to seeing you there!

EXCITING NEWS! THE PS22 CHORUS IS WORLD-FAMOUS!

The chorus has been getting world-wide attention over the internet, and my sources reveal that the PS22 Chorus videos posted on this site have scored over 150,000 views all together! We are very excited that our music and our students are getting the recognition they deserve!! Chorus, keep doing us proud! You've made such an impact on so many lives, including those of perfect strangers, and that speaks volumes about how special & important what you're doing really is.

The PS22 Chorus IMPROVS!

An improvisation is a song that you make up as you go along. Over the years, PS22 has seen some incredible soloists with a strong creative ability in addition to vocal talent. Improvising is a great way to release the creative juices and help children find their way within different key signatures and chord patterns.

Here are 2 improvs performed by PS22 Chorus superstar Justin! Enjoy!

We're calling this one, "And There's Nothing"


We're calling this one, "When The Angels Sing"

PS22 is Preparing a Talent Show for Charity

In response to the awesome suggestion by 3 fourth graders, P.S.22 is in the midst of auditioning for a talent show to help raise money for charity. Visit the blog for more information about the up-coming show.

Below is a video sample of some of the great talent that P.S.22 has to offer! In order of appearance: Mahmood, Mark, Shevron, Mariama, Jermel, Alex, Tyrell, Lynette, Eric, Chaylene, & Justin....

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!)