Duke Ellington: A Celebration of the Arts, Diversity and the Community

Scholars from PS4's PRIDE Saturday Academy, student-musicians from PS4's Guitar Club (funded by Midori & Friends Organization), as well as student members the Jazz Power Initiative Ellington Poets Society celebrated the PS4 adaptation of author Andrea Pinkney's book, Duke Ellington! On the evening of May 24, a full auditorium of scholars, parents, teachers, special guests, local politicians and Duke Ellington's very own granddaughter Mercedes Ellington enjoyed dancing, singing and poetry performed by students from kindergarten to grade 5.  This was truly a celebration of our community.

On behalf of Principal Stevens, special thanks to Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez (pictured above), Jose Cantu (Director), Mercedes Ellington (granddaughter of Duke Ellington) and the wonderful faculty and staff of PS4 for their dedication, continued efforts and motivation toward supporting our scholars.

Sing For Hope Piano

Sing for Hope Piano is temporarily placed under a painting of our namesake

Have you seen the piano in the school lobby? The Sing for Hope Pianos places pianos throughout NYC’s parks and public spaces for anyone and everyone to play. Each summer, the pianos bring individuals and communities together in an open festival of art for all. After their time on the streets, Sing for Hope transports the instruments to NYC public schools, where they become hubs for Sing for Hope’s ongoing creative programs and enrich students’ lives for years to come.

This year, Sing for Hope placed its 400th unique piano artwork in the five boroughs, making NYC host to more street pianos than any other city in the world. As New York City’s largest recurring public art project, the Sing for Hope Pianos impacts an estimated 2 million people each year.

Not too long ago, PS4's Arts Coordinator Jose Cantu, applied for our school to receive a 2017 Sing for Hope Piano.  Recently, we received an artist designed piano in our lobby.  It was delivered and placed directly under a painting of our namesake, Sir Duke Ellington.

Arts Coordinator Jose Cantu poses with Sing for Hope piano.

P.R.I.D.E. Day Celebration (VIDEOS)

Ms. Mercedes Ellington (center - rear) poses with her fellow musicians, Principal Stevens, staff and students from PS4.

The Duke Ellington P.R.I.D.E. Day Celebration event was a success with support from Dr. Montanez and the Turn2 Us Staff at Columbia Presbyterian, featuring performances from The Ellington Poets Society, The Jazz and Democracy Project, The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts and with special guest speaker Ms. Mercedes Ellington; Granddaughter of Duke Ellington!

Ms. Mercedes Ellington, granddaughter of Duke Ellington, poses with host and Technology Teacher, Ms. Lennon.

During this special assembly, we celebrated the tenets of The Duke Ellington School; Positivity, Respect, Integrity, Determination and Excellence and honor the American icon that our school is named after; Duke Ellington.  Click here to to read an article about Duke Ellington's granddaughter!  Then take a look at the videos below to see Ms. Ellington show her skills in ballroom dancing and watch an excerpt from a poem by The Ellington Poets Society. 


Ms. Mercedes Ellington Ballroom Dancing from PS4M on Vimeo.


Ellington P.R.I.D.E. Poem (Excerpt) by The Ellington Poets Society from PS4M on Vimeo.

PS4 Remembers Duke Ellington!

Today we celebrate the birthday of the great jazz legend, Duke Ellington. For over 5 decades, Duke was highly recognized as a composer in the history of jazz as well as his big band arrangements.  Duke Ellington was born Edward Kennedy Ellington on April 29, 1899 in Washington DC. He got the name "Duke" from his childhood friends because of his elegant manners and the way he dressed. He has composed more music than anyone else in the 20th century!  Each year, on this day, we celebrate "The Duke"!  Happy Birthday, Duke Ellington!



For more information about this legendary composer, click on the links below!

PBS Video: Duke Ellington

Library of Congress: Musicians & Composers - Duke Ellington

Official Site of Jazz Legend Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington Biography and Video - Biography.com

Photos of Duke Ellington

Jazz at PS4

Through a long-standing partnership with the Jazz Foundation of America and a surprise visit from Councilman Robert Jackson, PS4 has had great performances in our auditorium over the past few weeks!  Students from 1st to 5th grade were entertained by the legendary percussionist Ray Mantilla and the nonprofit, volunteer singing organization, Vocal Ease!

"What better way to enjoy jazz music than at the Duke Ellington School", Councilman Robert Jackson asked the audience of more than 250 students and teachers.  "I love jazz music."  Special thanks to Councilman Jackson and Eva Swan for bringing Vocal Ease to PS4 and giving a great tribute to our namesake, Duke Ellington.  Her group sang more than twenty of his famous songs, including 'Take the "A" Train'!  Click here to read more about her group and click play to hear student's favorite song!





Special thanks also goes to Will Glass from the Jazz Foundation of America for bringing the Ray Mantilla y Sus Amigos to our auditorium!  Inspired by his South Bronx, Afro-Cuban roots, percussionist Ray Mantilla became famous in the early 1970's. Our students really enjoyed his music!  They sang along and clapped their hands.  Click here to visit his website and check out this YouTube video of Mr. Mantilla playing with the most famous drummer in the world...Tito Puente!

Take a look at the collage below of a few photos from each performance!

Create a free collage

PS4 Celebrates The Duke's Birthday

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, born on April 29, 1899, was a forerunner in the evolution of jazz.  he composed and played swing music, one of the best-loved jazz forms to grace the American music scene.  Each year, on his birthday, PS4M-The Duke Ellington school celebrates this icon.  Special thanks to the Jazz Foundation and the Bertha Hope Trio for teaching our students about Jazz.

Take a look at the slideshow below to see how we celebrated our namesake.  Music by Alvin Atkinson.  Click here to hear Ms. Fernandez's class (K021) sing Happy Birthday to Duke Ellington!

Free slideshow design created with Smilebox

Happy Birthday, Duke Ellington!

 
Duke Ellington was born Edward Kennedy Ellington on April 29, 1899 in Washington DC. He got the name "Duke" from his childhood friends because of his elegant manners and the way he dressed. He has composed more music than anyone else in the 20th century! Each year, on this day, we celebrate "The Duke". On behalf of the students, teachers, staff and parents of the Duke Ellington School, Happy Birthday, Sir Duke!

For  more information about our namesake, click on any of the links below.

• Video from Bio.com
• List of interesting facts from kidsmusiccorner.co
• Photos of Duke Ellington from GOOGLE
• Biography with music from Incwell.com
• Biography from PBS.org

Jazz At PS4

Recently, first and second grade students were treated to Parlor Entertainment, a jazz band led by Marjorie Eliot.  She is a piano player who has been hosted a Jazz Salon in her Harlem living room for more than 20 years!  "I remember being here when this school first opened", says Ms. Eliot (pictured below with Ms. Hodge).  "I am so glad to be back so many years later.

 

Through a program called Jazz in the Schools, more than 40,000 public school children have been introduced live jazz and blues.  The one-hour concert provided an educational performance from living jazz legends who were able to share their individual histories and experiences with the boys and girls of PS4!  The program, funded by the Jazz Foundation of America, preserves the legacy of jazz and blues by introducing this music to thousands of public school children, many of whom have ever been exposed to it.  At the same time, it is actually preserving hundreds of the very pioneers who created it.   For more information about the Jazz Foundation, click here!

Special thanks to Marjorie Eliot and her band members for entertaining and educating our students and teachers.  We would also like to thanks Marianne Pillsbury, Jazz in the Schools Program Manager, for keeping jazz at PS4M/The Duke Ellington School.

Happy Birthday, Duke Ellington!

Duke Ellington was born Edward Kennedy Ellington on April 29, 1899 in Washington DC. He got the name "Duke" from his childhood friends because of his elegant manners and the way he dressed. He has composed more music than anyone else in the 20th century! Each year, on this day, we celebrate "The Duke". On behalf of the students, teachers, staff and parents of the Duke Ellington School, Happy Birthday, Sir Duke!

The slide show above features photos of birthday cards created by students and teachers from Pre-K to 5th grade. To hear a famous song played by The Duke Ellington Orchestra, click the play button below.

Celebrating Black History

Which great African-American do you most admire and why?

Rosa Parks
Duke Ellington
Langston Hughes
Jackie Robinson

Click the links for more information and answer the question by posting a comment!

3rd Graders Celebrate 'International Walk to School Day'!

On October 7th, the boys and girls of the third Grade, including students from Mr. Nycz and Ms. Bonilla's class, traveled to Safety City, at 222 W134th Street in Harlem. They learned important lessons about crossing the street safely in New York City. The lessons taught students how to cross the street, how to look at a driver in their eyes and how to signal to a driver when crossing the street. Students were also able to honk the horns of Fed - Ex trucks and buses! Fed-Ex volunteers, in red T-shirts, celebrated International Walk To School Day by visiting our school and walking with our students and teachers to Safety City! "This is a good example for kids", said Ms. Nieves, teacher of class 323,"now they will have a clear understanding of the proper way to cross the street."

Special thanks to the men and women of Safety City and Fed-Ex for spending time with us and using our wonderful students to show the world how important it is to cross the street safely. Check out a video from Federal Express highlighting the event!

Happy Birthday, Duke Ellington!

The Duke Ellington Poets performed at the Duke Ellington monument located at 110th and 5th Ave to celebrate his birthday. The concert featured professional and student musicians, dancers and other student groups. It ended with a parade in Central Park led by Duke Ellington's granddaughter, Mercedes Ellington.

Students at PS4 celebrated his birthday by sharing poems, stories, biographies, artwork and music about our school's namesake. Were also well entertained by the Jackie Wilson Quartet sponsored by the Jazz Foundation of America!

Duke Ellington was born Edward Kennedy Ellington on April 29, 1899 in Washington DC. He got the name "Duke" from his childhood friends because of his elegant manners and the way he dressed. He has composed more music than anyone else in the 20th century! Each year, on this day, we celebrate "The Duke".

Girls Win 10 - 8.

The Lady Dukes win again! In the first game of the year for The P.S. 4 Girls Basketball team, The Lady Dukes continued their winning streak defeating the visiting team from P.S. 152, 10 -8. Led by fifth graders, Nikita D., Brianni D.O. and Tenea B. The Lady Dukes extended their winning streak to 11 games in a row. The game was hard fought, fun and was watched by visiting classes from the 5th grade. "Those girls were rough." Said Brianni. "They were scratching and saying bad things."

Even though the game was friendly, Coach Mendes of P.S. 152 promised a better effort from his team in a potential rematch. In their gym. "We didn't have all our girls with us here, it will be different next time." The Lady Dukes will certainly be ready.

Who Was The Duke?

Edward "Duke" Ellington was a world famous pianist and composer. He wrote or performed such hits and "Take The A-Train", "Black and Tan" and many other Jazz classics. P.S. 4 is named The Duke Ellington School because of the musical legacy that he created and the Washington Heights area was where he once lived. At The Duke Ellington School our teachers and faculty insist on the highest level of academnic achievement, but we also encourage creativity and experimentation in all forms of the Arts. For more on the man known as "Sir Duke", click here to go to his official website.