School chorus takes YouTube by storm
Posted: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 5:08 PM by Daily Nightly Editor
By Summer Suleiman, NBC Nightly News intern
The emotion that pours from their faces seems to be filled with years of life experience. Although they haven’t yet been seasoned with life’s trials, the fifth graders in the now nationally recognized PS 22 Chorus sing with a stirring passion. Watching and listening to them perform, it’s nearly impossible not to crave their energy.
The group, named after their Staten Island elementary school, gained internet fame when Ashton Kutcher tweeted about them and Hollywood blogger Perez Hilton posted a video of them on his Web site, garnering the kids more than five million views.
The interaction with Mr. B, their chorus instructor and musical inspiration, is a testament to the importance of teaching. After performing for Tori Amos and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, among others, and being featured on a Billboard Top 100 hit with band Passion Pit, it’s not hard to see why these kids brought tears to the eyes of stars who watched. As they sing hits like Cold Play's "Viva La Vida" and Journey's "Don’t Stop Believing," it’s hard not to tap your feet to the tunes.
If you’re not convinced yet, you will be when you hear what they had to say when asked by producer Jennifer Mulreany about what music has done for their lives. Check out PS 22 online and you’ll see why I couldn’t stop myself from bursting out in song and dance while they did their smashing rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance.”
