PS22 CHORUS With TORI AMOS In Today's N.Y. DAILY NEWS!

Click on the above article to enlarge.

Thanks to Tanyanika Samuels (the phenomenal writer), the uncredited (but very cool and supportive!!) photographer, and the Daily News who all did such a great job of capturing the excitement of the day!

How Could I Not Have Posted This Pic?

The beautiful Tori Amos enraptured by the sound of the PS22 Chorus!

Tori Amos Mentions The Chorus in Nylon Magazine video interview!!

Apparently Tori was definitely deeply moved by her experience with the P.S.22 Chorus last Friday! (See previous posts!) On a new interview with Nylon Magazine, which was conducted after our Sony event with Tori, she had this to say:

"When you have children that can sing your music -- I think as a songwriter -- to know that other people are singing your songs -- there's no greater feeling...."



Nylon Magazine is a highly respected periodical in the fashion industry, showcasing the lastest in cutting edge couture fashion.


AWESOME!!! Congrats chorus on receiving yet even more proof that you have the ability to inspire people, even (as Jordan points out in our 4th Tori video) a celebrity!

The Chorus Gets A Message From Tori Amos!!

Big thanks to Tori and to the nice people at SONY Music for sending this on to us!

PS22's Visit with Tori Amos featured on USA Today Website AND We're The Blog of The Day!!!

It seems like The 22 Chorus Posse has been making some serious impressions on the internet lately! Our blog was the featured blog of the day on Blogger.com, AND also we were written up on the USA Today Website!

USA TODAY WRITE UP

Go Chorus!!

The PS22 Chorus -- Under The Tori Covers!

With all of our recent Tori Amos excitement(not the least of which was having our video of singing "Dragon" for Tori (and inciting tears) UNBELIEVABLY becoming Sunday's NUMBER 2 most watched YouTube video, and being showcased on multiple celebrity blog sites), I have received many requests for MP3 recordings of our Tori covers. So here are our Tori selections available for downlad. And not to worry -- for those of you anticipating this year's chorus's Tori covers (i.e. Dragon, Bouncing Off clouds, Happy Worker....) -- I will be recording and posting them soon. But here's the list as it stands.


PS22 Chorus -- Carbon (2003)

David -- "Not The Red Baron" by Tori Amos (2003)

PS22 Chorus -- "Wednesday" by Tori Amos (2003)

Deon -- "Flying Dutchman" by Tori Amos (2004)

PS22 Chorus sings Purple People by Tori Amos (2006)

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

PS22 Chorus -- "That's What I Like, Mick" by Tori Amos (2005)


Special thanks to Saar at Afterglow for hosting these files while we were in the process of attaining hosting space.

And here are some Tori-inspired covers.....

PS22 Chorus -- "Common People" by Pulp (2006)

PS22 Chorus featuring NATIFAH -- "God Bless The Child" by Billie Holiday (2006)

PS22 Chorus -- "People Are Strange" by The Doors (2006)

Tori Amos And The 22 Chorus Posse!!!

Well yesterday was a dream come true. I'm not ashamed to say it may well have been the most amazing day of my life -- and I think my chorus feels the same! I'm sure it is quite obvious by the abundance of her songs on our blog, Tori Amos plays quite a big part in our repertoire. Well thanks to the talent, dedication, and hard work of our chorus, they earned themselves the opportunity of a lifetime. After seeing some of the videos of the chorus (that are posted on our blog), Tori not only agreed, but insisted on meeting the most talented kids in the world at the Sony Atrium in New York City! She even insisted on singing WITH them!!

As you will hear from the mouths of the children themselves, this was an unforgettable experience for all involved -- and certainly the music teacher!! It was such a blessing for me personally to be able to share my pride and joy (the chorus) with my own personal hero and inspiration.

Tori, the children and I are so grateful for your time, as we all know you are VERY busy promoting your amazing new album. We wish you all the success you deserve and thank you with all our hearts for what you've given us -- the memory of a lifetime. It was so gratifying to see that we touched your heart the way you've touched ours.

Thank you to the people at SONY (Kristen, Lois, & Sarah) for arranging this cataclysmic union between two of the greatest musical talents out there -- Tori Amos and The PS22 Chorus!

Now go watch the festivities!!

The PS22 Chorus make Tori cry!! (We are inclined to think in a good way....)

Tori sings an acoustic guitar version of "Father's Son" with the chorus! Her voice is 'liquid diamonds' here.

Pics, signing, fainting....

Fainting, cheering, dreams come true, obligatory Sanjaya-hating by Mariama, and Tori-lovin'!

Some reflections from the chorus on our unforgettable day (and some Sanjaya hating from Mariama!).... And to my chorus members who are reading this, I am so proud of how wise you are in understanding the depth of the gift we've been given. Heck, I'm just so proud of you!!

UPDATE 5/5/07 (More pics)

Tori Protected by the Sopranos.....

Mariama: "Tori can SING!" And Tyrell (our local paparazzi!) taking a break from snapping pics of Tori on his cell phone!

Talented AND Beautiful!

"Repeat After Me...."

Tori Gets Down To The Music

"My Chorus Is Laughing At Me, Tori...."

It's A Happy Day

The altos singing their hearts out for Tori!

Tori Amos delighted to have met The PS22 Chorus Posse!

Tori applauding a job well done!! ThE cHoRuS rOckS!

UPDATE: There is much more posted throughout the blog on the aftermath of our Tori Amos adventure, including pics, autographs, write-ups in The New York Daily News, USA Today, VH1 Blog, and much more. Tori herself has since mentioned the chorus in interviews (the quotes at the top left of the page on the sidebar), and those articles can also be found on the blog if you look in the May, June, and July 2007 archives.

PS22 Chorus slays Tori Amos' "Dragon" (in a GOOD way!!)

This is a new song we just started working on! And if my chorus is watching -- and they BETTER be ;) -- make SURE you do your "homework" this weekend.... ;)

Come Sit In On A 2007 PS22 Chorus Rehearsal

PS22 is getting ready to debut their original musical production, THE 14 CARROT FAIRY TALE! Below are some songs and funny moments from the chorus rehearsal! It's fun to watch everybody enjoying themselves!! (And Mr. B bouncing around like a banana at the piano!) Oh, btw, hi Banana (Breana)!! ;)

Dario sings SOOOOO beautifully, as does the chorus, on this beautiful song written by JUSTIN & Mr. B. This song, like the already classic PS22 Chorus song "BETHLEHEM", was written by JUSTIN & Mr. B while improvising. (You can hear JUSTIN sing the original improv that lead to "KEEP ON GOING" by clicking here: Justin & Mr. B -- Keep On Going))


Eric sings brilliantly on Gloria Gaynor's hit disco classic, "I Will Survive!"


And finally, a nice version of BOUNCING OFF CLOUDS with gym teacher, musician extraordinaire, & nicest guy ever, Mr. Eberle!

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!