EAST BRUNSWICK – The Public School 22 Chorus will return to East Brunswick for an encore performance, sponsored by the Daniel Pearl Education Center.
The elementary school fifth grade chorus from Staten Island – whose performances have been watched more than 75 million times on YouTube – performed in East Brunswick in the fall, and will return at 7 p.m., June 2, at Temple B’Nai Shalom.
“The last time that the PS22 Chorus performed for us, from the first note to the last, we were absolutely blown away by the children’s voices and especially their passion,” said Dr. Andy Boyarsky, chairman of the center. “We immediately invited them back to sing again, and we were thrilled when they enthusiastically agreed to come back. While the children are amazing to watch online, you have to see them live to really appreciate their incredible talents.”
Directed by Gregg Breinberg, the PS22 Chorus is composed of more than 60 fifth graders who participate in an annual audition at the beginning of each school year. PS22 is the largest elementary school in Staten Island and students come from a wide cross-section of ethnic groups and socio-economic levels, according to information provided by the Daniel Pearl Center, which is based in East Brunswick. The chorus meets twice a week during school hours to practice and performs throughout the year at school functions, local events and on special requests.
“What really moved us last time is that the PS22 Chorus considered the mission of the Daniel Pearl Education Center – to promote community and understanding – and treated us to several songs selected just for our concert,” Boyarsky said. “We were quite moved by the harmony, musical and beyond, that we felt that night.”
The Daniel Pearl Education Center is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to the ideals of community and understanding, the principles that are part of the legacy of the late Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, according to the statement. Pearl was kidnapped and later murdered by extremists in Pakistan in early 2002.
Temple B’Nai Shalom is located at 15 Fern Road, East Brunswick. To reserve seats for the free concert, call 732-251-4300, ext. 232 or email [email protected].