Canadian Band Performs At PS4

J.T. Forester Band

Today, the J.T. Foster Band & Chorus entertained more than 400 students and staff in our auditorium!  Directed by Sue Moore, 35 musicians and vocalists from a small school in Alberta, Canada traveled to Washington Heights for the opportunity to perform at our school and visit New York City. 

The band and chorus are made up of high school students from grades 10-12.  The music was mostly comprised of pop or show tunes, like 'Imagine' by the Beatles and a medley of Disney songs.  They also performed some "crowd pleasers", like 'Baby' by Justin Bieber and 'Firework' by Katy Perry.  At the end of the performance, upper grade students noticed the many instruments that band members played.  Flutes, trumpets, and the bass guitar were a few of the crowd favorites.

A special thanks to Don Gipson for organizing the travel arrangements for the band and to Music Director Sue Moore for her talent and direction of these young men and women! 

J.T. Foster Chorus

For more information about the J.T. Foster School, click here!  To find out more about Canada, click here.

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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Another Great Jennifer Muller/The Works Performance

The Jennifer Muller Dance Company made their annual visit to PS4 and brought their show entitled Faces of Wonder.  This group of dancers, named The Works, brings dance to more than 5,000 students in New York City public schools and supports 50 emerging choreographers. 

Students and teachers from 2nd and 3rd grade classes were invited to the auditorium last Friday to the talent of this dance company.  After the show, students were encouraged to ask the dancers a question.  "They had some really good questions", said Mr. Nycz (3rd grade teacher) who assisted the young audience members to the stage.  Here are a few of the questions that were asked that afternoon:

• Why do you use body language? - Ariannis Z. (class 321)
• How do you feel when you dance? - Kelsey D. (class 201)
• Why did that dancer copy the other dancer? - Abdul A. (class 223)
• When did you start to dance? - Melanie V. (class 320)
• How long have you been performing? - Wilbert D. (class 201)
• How did you all get so good? - Brianna R. (class 320)

Special thanks to the dancers for once providing another exciting show for the students of our school!  For more information about Jennifer Muller/The Works, click here!  To see an article from their last visit to PS4, click here!

Korean Dancers Perform at PS4

Recently, students in 1st and 2nd grade attended a performance in the auditorium by dancers from the Korean Cultural Service of NY!  More than thirty students were given the chance to dance and play instruments on stage.  Every student in the audience even learned how to count to four in Korean; hana, dul, ses, nes!

 "My students really enjoyed the performance", said first grade teacher, Ms. Pasha, "the costumes were so colorful".  A traditional Korean dress is called a hanbok.  It is made in vibrant colors and has simple lines without pockets.  It is worn as semi-formal or formal wear during traditional festivals and celebrations.

Cultural instructor teaches students how to count in Korean.

Special thanks to Andrew, from the Korean Cultural Service of NY and Makalina from Lotus Music & Dance for bringing the beautiful culture of Korea to PS4.

PS4 students play traditional Korean instruments.

Jennifer Muller/The Works Perform at PS4

"That's a good one", replied dancer Pascal Rekoert, after answering one of many questions from first and second grade students, "I love dancing so much, I will never stop". Many girls and boys, like Franchesca O. and Elijah C. (class 220), also wanted to know how to do some of the dances that were seen on stage. "Lots of practice", said Pascal.

Ms. Schwartz's class (class 220) was very excited about seeing the Jennifer Muller/The Works Dancers! This dance company has been around for more than 35 years and has performed in countries like China! The choreographer for these dancers, Jennifer Muller, likes a variety of music and lots of energy in every performance. The performance at our school was very energetic and the music got every audience member dancing in their seats!

Special thanks to dancer Pascal who led the question & answer portion of the show and to Ms. Schwartz and her students for preparing 'thank you' cards.

A Duke Ellington Jazz Extravaganza

Entertainment will be coming to the school on December 10th, from 5-9pm, when singer Vinnie Knight will sing songs composed by Duke Ellington. Proceeds recieved from this show will go towards a new sound system for our auditorium. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in the main office. Members of the audience will not only enjoy live jazz music from a vocalist that sings for audiences all over the world, but guests will also enjoy dinner!




Don't know who Ms. Vinnie Knight is? Do you want to hear her voice? Go to this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI3uZvTm0uk