Recently, I was happily surprised to be contacted by one of my favorite students from way back in the day -- the school year of 1998-1999 at P.S.60 to be precise, when and where I started my teaching career. Andrew Canlon always had a phenomenal voice, and was a soloist at his graduation. These days he's taking his talent to a whole new level. At 19 years old, Andrew has been writing and recording some phenomenal music with his band, O'Canlon. Andrew was kind enough to send me his band's CD, titled "VALOR". The title track (and the entire CD) blew me away! I felt it would be a perfect song for the chorus to cover. So today, I recorded the chorus performing "Valor" after only 3 rehearsals. They sound incredible, and we're cautiously optimistic that Andrew and his bandmates will approve of our rendition! We're looking forward to a possible visit from Andrew in June, and hopefully we'll be able to record a version with the man himself when the time comes. We thank Andrew for sharing this great song, and for being an inspiration for the entire chorus, including the director of course. Talk about life coming full circle....
In the meantime, here is the song "Valor" as performed by the PS22 Chorus:
Oh my goodness... I didn't know my son Justin would be singing a little solo there... Brought tears to my eyes...Mr B you are truly an amazing teacher and I thank you very much... I have seen most of the videos and I cry everytime I hear your childrens sing...
ReplyDeleteThank You PS 22 for having a wonderful amazing music teacher..
Sandee
I LOVE IT JUSTIN IS SOO CUTE SINGING HIS SOLO, I KNOW MOM AND DAD ARE PROUD OF JUSTIN...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Justin is amazing and did a phenomenal job. My former student who wrote "Valor" was incredibly psyched about the chorus and Justin's version of his song. And I'm happy to see Justin coming into his own! He's a great kid, as his sister!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous song... and of course, my nephew, Justin, was wonderful singing his little solo. The rest of the PS 22 Chorus was amazing as well! It's so refreshing to see a music teacher that is so open and willing to have their kids spread their wings. As a musician myself, it gives me hope that the children are part of something monumental - and that someone hasn't forgotten the beauty of music and encourages their students to fly.
ReplyDeleteCassie Peters
Thank you Cassie for all your kind words! Glad to hear talent and love of music runs in the family! You ought to be proud indeed -- you have the greatest niece and nephew!!
ReplyDeleteOh my God, the children's voices were so amazing. I've never heard any choir, including adults,sound that clear and harmonious. Justine's little solo was so good. May Go continue to bless you all.
ReplyDeleteRose&Makeda
awesome compliment!! thanks rose & madeka!!!
ReplyDeleteMR.B WHEN MY SISTER GOT YOUR MESSAGE SHE SAID''YYYYYYYYYAAAAAYYYY''
ReplyDeleteLOVE MY-MOUNA
YAY-MOUNA!!!
ReplyDelete:)
MY SISTER SAID IT WAS ''IT WAS AICHA NOT
ReplyDeleteMAIMOUNA''
LOVE,
MY-MOUNA
now i'm getting confused.....
ReplyDelete:)
YABADABADOODA MR.B
ReplyDeleteLOVE MY-MOUNA
And Scoobydoobydoobydoo2youtoo!
ReplyDelete:)
SHE SAID YOU SHOULD HAVE PUT YAY-AICHA
ReplyDeleteLOVE MY-MOUNA
Yeah, Aich-ould'a thought of that!
ReplyDelete:)
your just making jokes today huh? remeber fatou i'm at her house i won't her for a long time because she's going off to college next term so i'm making the most of the time i have with her. your lucky i'm here typing to you instead of beining on my journey to manhattan love,
ReplyDeletemy-mouna
oh wow! tell fatou i say a big hello! so proud to hear that she's going to college next year!
ReplyDelete:)
HEY MR.B HELLLLLO IM LOOKING FOWARD TO THE NEXT CHORUS PRACTICE BYE PS.DONT FORGET ABOUT ME TRYING OUT FOR THE SOLO!
ReplyDeleteBY THE WAY MAIMOUNA SAYS- THE TAPE FOR MAYA'S MOM AND ARE YOU PICKING US UP ON TUESDAY?
PEACE FROM ABDMOUNA
BY THE WAY ABDUMOUNA IS ME AND MAIMOUNA POSTING COMENTS
ReplyDeleteFROM ABDULAYE PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hey abdouna (very clever...),
ReplyDeleteyes, of course we're having chorus tomorrow. how else are we going to learn the song?? looking forward to hearing you abdulaye!!
:)
hey abdulaye! you did a great job on your solo audition. work on the things that i told you, and we'll see! by the way, i didn't print your message cuz you should never put your phone number out there on the internet. you don't ever want to give out personal information on this website or any other. that's for your own safety. k, super-buddy?
ReplyDelete:)
Mr. B
later buddy!
:)
OMG! JUSTIN SOUNDS SO GOOD!I NEVER KNEW HOW GOOD HE SOUNDED BUT I THINK HE MIGHT AS WELL HAVE A BIGGER SOLO!
ReplyDeletejustin's awesome indeed, angelica! you're amazing yourself... :)
ReplyDeleteOH ,THANKS MR.B YOUR SO SWEET!YOU REALLY A GREAT MUSIC TEACHER!
ReplyDeletethanks angelica! i missed you guys this week! :)
ReplyDeletehi you know you really need to post up the song valor with justin and angela!
ReplyDeletehehe! you'll have to wait until i get back from puerto rico and we're back to school! i have to film you guys again with both angela and justin singing! miss you!! :)
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