PHOTO GALLERY
School’s out for the summer and what better way to kick off the break than by jamming on stage in the heart of Manhattan? Last week, elementary school students from Public School 182 in Queens as well as high school seniors and graduates who are some of NYC’s All-Stars showcased their talents by performing some of their favorite hits in New York City’s City Winery. The students were joined by acoustic duo Strumberry Pie, Nasdaq’s high-energy band, No Latency Experience, and local cover band, Warriors from Mars to raise funds to continue bringing the transformational gift of music education into the lives of public school students!
The audience of local supporters shared our passion for making a difference in the lives of underprivileged students and gave generously throughout the night for a total more than $100,000. This will help launch Modern Band music programs for nearly 4,000 children in up to 20 public schools that have may have seen the elimination of their music programs due to budget cuts.
As for the show itself, the precocious third and fifth graders from Queens opened up the night by performing a few of their favorite rock hits, including Alabama Shakes’ “Hold On.” The audience members were immediately out of their seats, dancing and showing their love for the young and enthusiastic performers.
Next in the lineup was Strumberry Pie, led acoustic duo by Jersey Shore natives Deedee Montanaro and Laura Catalina Johnson and backed by a band of veteran musicians. Together, they performed a set of original songs and wowed the audience away with their glamour and upbeat stage presence. To top off their act, Montanaro and Johnson welcomed All Star guitarist, 17-year old Alejandro, who played a screaming solo during the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil.”
The evening’s second adult band brought the audience to its feet. Last year’s event headliners, No Latency Experience (NLX) comprised of many of NASDAQ’s senior executives, returned for another rockin’ set of covers. In addition to their own renditions of classic rock songs, NLX brought the elementary students back up on stage with them to help them close their set with “Uptown Funk.”
Next up was a group of students that have shown time and again how music can help forge a bond like no other. The recent high school grads and seniors have been affectionately referred to as the All Star Ensemble. They have rocked the stages of some of the city’s most iconic venues. On this night, they floored the audience with their rendition of Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie.” They then left the crowd begging for more when they transitioned Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke” into “Respect.”
It was following this performance when the audience, inspired by the power of music from kids as young as 8 years old, to recently graduated seniors, to senior executives, began to give generously. One man raised his hand and pledged to help launch music programs in two new schools! Another woman promised to donate enough to launch one more school. And dozens of people agreed to donate and put a new guitar into a student’s hands.
Comprised of some senior execs from BlackRock and Greenlight Capital, as well as a NYC public school teacher who already runs a Music Will program, the Warriors from Mars built their performance from last year’s event, performing a wide variety of old school rock and roll songs, as well as a couple of originals. The lead singer expressed his admiration for his parents, who happened to be in the audience, by announcing their 50th anniversary and playing a song in their honor.
The evening ended with a pleasant ringing in guests’ ears and donation jars brimming with donations. But as the ringing faded and the money was counted, the promise of more kids having their lives transformed through music was stronger than ever. And as the students returned home to enjoy their summer breaks, and the adults prepared for another day at work, one thing was clear: it was the power of music that brought everyone together in New York City that night, and the power of music that will continue to provide the soundtrack to all of their lives.
