Building on last year's Song of Hope Project, the NYC Department of Education's Office of Arts & Special Projects worked in partnership with the Songwriters Hall of Fame to engage over 200 students across the city (Grades K-12) in a unique collaboration. NYC Strong was written by students celebrating strength, diversity, passion and moving forward stronger than ever!
To begin this interactive citywide songwriting and dance project, student songwriters began by writing the song's chorus. Student dancers then choreographed a group dance for the chorus and contributed dance solos. Inspired by the dancers' work, student songwriters wrote verses, a pre-chorus, and a bridge to complete the song and producer and SHOF NY Education Committee vice-chair Harold Stephan crafted it together.
Through this "dance-inspired-by-music-inspired-by-dance" experience, students created the original song and choreography that proclaim, “Nothing is going to stop me!"
"Our continued collaboration with NYC Department of Education and Director of Music Liz Guglielmo is one of our most important educational initiatives," SHOF NY Education Committee chair April Anderson said. "In these times of uncertainty, having the outlet of these special song projects based in joyful self expression sets a strong, positive pace for the future."
A special thanks go to all of the students, teachers and schools who participated!
Watch NYC Strong here!
Thank you to all of the students and schools who participated!
Bronx Envision Academy, Bronx
Dos Puentes Elementary, Manhattan
I.S. 125Q Thomas J. McCann Woodside Intermediate School, Queens
International HS at Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
JHS 227 Edward B. Shallow, Brooklyn
Learning Through Play Pre-K Center, Bronx
P.S. 001 The Bergen, Brooklyn
P.S. 316 Elijah G. Stroud Elementary, Brooklyn
P168X, Bronx PS 11 The William T Harris School, Manhattan
PS 176 The Ovington School, Brooklyn
PS 201Q The Discovery School for Inquiry & Research, Queens
PS 220 Edward Mandel, Queens
PS 231@180, Brooklyn
PS 253, The Magnet School of Multicultural Humanities, Brooklyn
PS 56 The Lewis H. Latimer School, Brooklyn
PS/IS 206 The Joseph F. Lamb School, Manhattan
PS/IS 66, Brooklyn PS172 Beacon School of Excellence, Brooklyn
PS42M - The Benjamin Altman School, Manhattan
Queens Explorers Elementary School, Queens
Stuyvesant High School, Manhattan
Columbia Secondary School, Manhattan
The Boerum Hill School for International Studies, Brooklyn
The Brooklyn International High School, Brooklyn
The Cynthia Jenkins School, PS 37Q, Queens
The Peck Slip School, PS 343, Manhattan
Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing & Visual Arts, Manhattan
Washington Heights Academy, Manhattan