PS4 Guitar Program's Spring Recital

The PS4 Guitar Program, with Teaching Artist Ayodele Maakheru, perform for an audience in the auditorium.

The Guitar Program, in partnership with the Midori & Friends Organization, celebrated its eleventh year at PS4!  During the 2017-2018 school year, eleven upper-grade students received once and twice-weekly instruction over thirty-two weeks with Teaching Artist Ayodele Maakheru!

Teaching Artist Ayodele Maakheru performing in front of a kindergarten class.

Mr. Maakheru is a composer, performer, and teacher who plays guitar, banjo, bass, mandolin, ukulele, harmonica and djembe.  He studied at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, City College of NY and Brooklyn College.  He has performed, toured, and recorded with a variety of artists such as Eartha Kitt, Phylicia Rashad, Gregory Hines, Miriam Makeba and the New York Philharmonic.  In addition, he has nearly four decades of performance experience in the orchestras of Broadway shows including A Chorus Line, The Full Monty, Bring in Da Noise/Bring in Da Funk, The Color Purple, Shuffle Along and Bella.  He has recorded three CD's of music and has taught our young guitar players for the past four years and uses the the '12 Notes' instrumental instruction program, which allows students to explore the basics of posture, playing technique, instrument care, and music theory more information about Mr. Maakheru, click here!

The Citywide Spring Student Recital Series, featuring PS4 Guitar Students, took place on Tuesday, June 12th.  This celebration also included a performance from the PS4 PRIDE Steppers and the Ellington Poets.  It marked the culmination of this year's guitar program at PS4.  Special thanks to the Honorable Mark Levine, City Council Member District 7, and the Midori & Friends Organization for funding this program.  To learn more about this amazing organization, click here!

Mr. Maakheru and Mr. Cantu (Guitar Program Director) pose with Guitar Program members.

Guitar Program - 2016

Twenty-two students have been members of the PS4 Guitar Program since October.  In order for these 4th and 5th grade students to participate in the program, they had to hand in an essay about why they want to participate and undergo an interview.  "Our students are eager to play everyday and their parents are very excited about their first concert happening in the Spring", said program director Jose Cantu. 

For the seventh year in a row, Midori & Friends has funded our guitar program. This year, twenty-two 4th and 5th grade students receive guitar lessons from instructor Ayodele Maakheru. Mr. Maakheru is a musician, composer, performer and teacher. Not only does he have more than thirty years of experience playing in Broadway orchestras and touring bands, he has recorded two CD's of original music! Click here to read more about this talented musician!

Our 9th Annual Talent Show

Our 9th annual Talent Show was a success!  Thanks to all of the teachers, family members and student-performers for making the show so successful.  Take a look at the slide show below for some highlights of this fundraising event.

Slideshow design personalized with Smilebox

Guitar Program- 2015

Congratulations to the thirty students who participated in PS4's Guitar Program, funded by Midori & Friends.  On June 3rd, under the direction of master musician Ayodele Maakeru and Mr. Cantu, our young guitarists played for a full auditorium of fellow students, teachers and parents.  The Music in Bloom Citywide Spring Student Recital Series takes place in schools all over NYC.

Special thanks to Gary Padmore and the Midori & Friends for keeping music in our schools.   Another special thanks goes to Councilman Mark Levine, represented by Naomi Lopez, for keeping music and the arts a priority for our students.  Take a look at the photo/video collage for highlights from this event.

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Guitar Program - 2015

Instructor Ayodele Maakheru works with students in the PS4 Guitar Program.

 "We're once again off to a successful start", said Mr. Cantu.  For the sixth year in a row, Midori & Friends has funded our guitar program.  This year, twenty-five students receive guitar lessons from a vivacious instructor named Ayodele Maakheru.  Mr. Maakheru is a musician, composer, performer and teacher.  Not only does he have more than thirty years of experience playing in Broadway orchestras and touring bands, he has recorded two CD's of original music!  Click here to read more about this talented musician!

Students in the guitar program have already learned how to play "Happy Birthday To You" and will be learning how to play "Amazing Grace" in the next few weeks.  They are not just learning how to play musical notes, but are learning how to play chords!  "This year, we have many students who are English Language Learners and we even have two third graders", said Mr. Cantu, Guitar Program Coordinator and ESL Teacher.  "We've also added journals to our lessons so students can write about what they've learned".  The Guitar Program meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Congratulations to the girls and boys of the PS4 Guitar Program!  We look forward to seeing your first performance in March!

3rd grade musicians Britney M. and Amadou F.

5th Grade musicians

Midori & Friends 20th Anniversary Gala

On May 2, 2013, the PS4M Choir performed for more than 200 guests at the Midori & Friends 20th Anniversary Gala; Share the Music. Community partners, supporters, students, artists and friends came together to celebrate the achievements of the organization and to toast the collective vision of music education for all young people.

Award winning student Shawn T. (center) and his Guitar Instructor, Nick Russo, pictured with members of the PS4 staff.

Shawn T., from class 501, was given the Byron Gustafson Award to honor his high level of motivation, a true passion for music, and a caring spirit for other classmates.  Shawn began studying the guitar last year, inspired in part by his father, who was also a musician.  He was assigned as one of the Guitar Team Leaders and was appointed Guitar Club Student Coordinator.  When asked about Shawn's commitment to music, Mr. Cantu said, "He has worked tirelessly to promote the message of music appreciation to all the students, young and old, and he is a tremendous asset to the PS4 community".  Congratulations to Shawn on his commitment and his accomplishments!  We wish him all the best in his continued growth as a guitarist.

Click here to see the choir's performance at this gala as they sang "This Little Light of Mine".

The PS4 Choir at the Midori & Friends Gala

Spring Concert Highlights

Yesterday, the talented boys and girls of the Guitar Program and PS4 Choir showed their skills to a full audience in the school's auditorium.  Sponsored by Midori & Friends, these two clubs entertained more than 250 guests!  In the very beginning of the show, an awesome collaboration of singers and guitar players took place as the audience heard the song I Got A Feelin', by the Black Eyed Peas.  The highlight of the evening was a performance from a talented violist named Tobias Roth who simply wanted to share his love of classical music with the Washington Heights community.  To find out more about the viola, click here!

Special thanks to Tobias Roth (violist), Nick Russo (guitarist), Ms. Lennon (host), and all who supported our Spring Concert.  Congratulations to the boys and girls who performed and had a successful show.

Guitar Club & Choir collaboration.

Violist, Tobias Roth (left).

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Guitar Program Continues for the Third Year

Mr. Cantu and Instructor Nick Russo with students from the Guitar Program.

Mr. Cantu practicing with students.

Nearly thirty students attend the Guitar Program.

For the third year, the PS4 Guitar Program continutes at our school. The nearly thirty students have been learning the proper way to carry a guitar, how to read music and how to play notes and chords.  Sponsored by Midori & Friends, students receive instruction from professional guitarist, Nick Russo and Mr. Cantu.  Lessons are on Thursay afternoons and Saturday mornings.

When asked about the program, Mr. Cantu said, "It's an honor to witness these wonderful students of PS4 build upon the creative element of their young lives. It's commendable to not only give up their Saturday mornings to the study of guitar, but also to endure the arduous task of pursuing artistic achievement. Bravo to the PS4 guitar club for their courageous effort, as they embark on a journey filled with creative rigor and academic enrichment."

The Guitar Program will have their first public performance on February 16th at PS4's Black History Month Assembly.

To learn more about Nick Russo, click here and to learn more about Midori & Friends, click here.

Our Young Guitarists Show Their Skills

Congratulations to our student guitarists and their instructor, Nick Russo! On June 2nd, the young guitarists celebrated their achievements by entertaining students, teachers, parents and special guests in our school's auditorium. The Guitar Recital, part of Midori & Friend's Music in Bloom Series, was also a special moment for 4th grader, Kristian M., who was featured during a rendition of a hit song from the TV series, Glee! As Kristian sang the lyrics to "Forget You" (Glee version), our 18 young guitarists accompanied him.

PS4's Guitar Program is funded by Midori & Friends, who sponsors music programs for students in under-served NYC schools. Midori & Friends President, Judi Linden was in attendance to congratulate each student. Each student received a t-shirt and certificate to celebrate the event.

Earlier this year, students took a trip to the factory, the company that makes guitar strings. A representative from the D'Addario factory congratulated the boys and girls of the program. "Through our donations, we hope to inspire young musicians, like you, to continue their love of music", says John D'Addario, Jr. Congratulations, once again, to the boys and girls of PS4's Guitar Program!










Take a look at the slide show below featuring highlights from the event.

Jazz is the Roots!

On Thursday, April 15th, all after-school programs were treated to a free jazz concert sponsored by Jazz at Lincoln Center and Midori & Friends. Students, teachers and parents enjoyed a lively performance by Lafrae Sci and the Scenic Route Band. Lafrae is a very talented drummer who educated members of the audience on how jazz music works. "Jazz music is like the roots of a plant", she announced. She went on to explain that all other types of music stem from jazz. Everyone had a good time learning, clapping, singing and dancing! Students from our Guitar Program even got a chance to play a popular Duke Ellington song (click play) with the band!

Take a look at a slide show of photographs from the performance!

The Guitar Program Is Back!

Thanks to an organization called Midori & Friends and a lot of support from the Sports & Arts After-School Program, 24 students will get free lessons from professional guitarist, Nick Russo.

This is Mr. Russo's second year working with PS4 students and we are happy to have him back! During a recent workshop with parents and new guitarists, 4th grader Christian S. shared his love of jazz and gospel music. "That's awesome", said Mr. Russo, "we'll definitely play some of those styles during our classes".

Did you know that the guitar was created in northern Africa? Did you also know that playing "air guitar" helps you develop your skills? Along with a few fun facts like these and some important vocabulary, every Tuesday and Thursday students will be given a 2-hour guitar lesson by Mr. Russo. If you would like more information about the Guitar Program or instructor Nick Russo, please write a comment below.

Students Learn How To Play The Guitar!

Forty students have been selected to participate in a new after-school program sponsored by Midori & Friends (http://midoriandfriends.org/)! This organization has donated 50 new chairs and allowed us to borrow 50 brand new guitars. Soon, students will have the opportunity to take a guitar home. This will allow them to practice.

The Guitar Program meets every Friday and Saturday. With instructor Nick Russo, 4th and 5th grade students are learning how to take care of a guitar and how to play basic musical notes. Mr. Cantu, who is a guitar player, assists Mr. Russo on Saturdays. "Nick is a really great instructor", says Mr. Cantu, "and the kids are doing pretty well". The parents of children who were chosed are very excited about this opportunity and look forward to their first concert in May.