PS22 Graduating Class "TWINKLE" Tori Amos (2001)

[07cool10pa]

I wonder where they are now, 10 years, soon to be 11 years later?

[kmacmuzikmafia27]

I wish I had gotten to sing *real* music and not the boring, ancient sheet music that seemed to have been passed down from my mother's class.

Maybe I would have actually sung instead of lip-synced ;) I doubt it, but it might have worked. LOL now I have a lovely image in my head of old Mrs. Towler singing "Smells Like Teen Spirit." That would have been fantastic :D

[dramadog11111]

broght tears to my eyes

[orchojuan]

Congratulations! very good work, i love tori as well.Hope you like what we do too ;)

[strph]

I love this. In all my years of singing in choirs (starting from age 4) I had to sing so many "adapted for children" (butchered!!) lyrics, and it always frustrated me, but this... this is really beautiful and poignant and it works here. You're doing great work with these kids.

[sunnyeyez123]

this was my big sisters graduating class!

[trayvonay]

@sunnyeyez123 is thiis liike a performing arts skool or wat?.....................does only kids that can siing come here?

[kasimotinka123]

@trayvonay

no, you can read that on mr. b's channel: it's a regular school. ;)

[stormstryk]

I am a die hard Tori fan.. and I think this is beautiful and charming.. the lyrics changes are needed to be sure for a younger group of singers, and I think it's tastefully done. As long as they never get the urge to record Professional Widow and something of that vein! :-)

[writemusiceatapples]

hey mr. brienberg! i imagine it's to remember me so i wont even tell you who this is but this is my graduation and I was in the chorus that year! now i'm in college! i just wanna tell you that i always knew that some day you'd get the recognition you deserved for all the hard work you put into being a chorus teacher. imagine my surprise(or lack thereof) when my cousin showed me one of your chorus' videos online. that year at 22 with the chorus changed my whole perspective on life.

[Zendrig]

beautiful comment! :)

[damien9060]

yes tori distorted the songs she covered but the beauty is that the essence is still there even it is mapped differently. in an interview she says " its still their baby and i respect that". i understand where you are coming from. there are songs that can be expressed in different renditions, but there are some when they are uniquely created by genuises as amos, they are best left to be enjoyed in their original favours

[jhalas01]

@damien9060 whack job.

[damien9060]

why dont respect her work and not distort it ? tori's works wanted us to search ask and question the dark side of life we dont like or want to talk about. but changing the lyrics you sugar coated it. i dont think any artist esp like tori would want the examined truth to be distorted

[agreggofsociety]

distortion? it's called adaptation. it's bringing the song to new meaning that the kids can understand and relate to. tori herself has "distorted" songs that she's covered. in fact, her entire new album, midwinter graces should be considered distortion by your point of view.

[jhalas01]

@damien9060 You must not understand Tori's work. I know you wrote this months ago but I just have to comment because no true fan of this artist would ever say such a thing. I feel very sorry for you.

[rfgstl]

@damien9060 > Tori wants her listeners to hear a story within her music, and then find an interpretation that they as listeners identify with personally. You do know that Tori herself has seen and heard these kids perform her music, right? You do know that she has shown her support to them? It would be just if Tori herself didn't approve, but what isn't just is you saying that what these kids have done here is in anway distorted or disrespectful.

[damien9060]

not all their renditions of tori's works are done well by this choir. they did well for 1000 oceans, but songs such as this and not the red baron i really think the kids fail to deliever the actually content of the songs emotion. those two songs have a sad hidden dark side of the human emotions. failed because these kids are too innocent in their voices to deliever. its really painful to hear they singing or even screaming those two songs. they really have no idea what they are expressing

[agreggofsociety]

1) this is the complete graduating class, not the chorus.

2) lyrics were changed here, and this revised rendition is not sad, it's hope.

3) they understood exactly what they were expressing here.

4) david's version of not the red baron is hardly screaming. it's actually one of my all-time favorite performances.

5) a laxative might be in order.... ;)

[ssaaty]

@agreggofsociety thumbs up for teacher, not simple critic.

[blueskies444]

You, sir, have no idea what you're talking about. Can you compare any other choirs that have done Tori "cover" songs? Do you have anything to compare this to? Where do you get your assumptions? Their innocense is refreshing and a different perspective on a Tori song, and I don't think she would begrudge them one bit. I think she would be honored.

[nikefomm]

i love it, could someone post the new lyrics here as well, i am not native English : )

[janotosinnumeros]

I ask for the same, please.

[stanbwonderful]

New music teacher stands in front of 200 kids and shows them that there's something more out there than what's being sold to them by MTV, that music is something to explore, that there's beauty out there for them to find.

What more could you ask of a music teacher?

[Clarinder19]

you just took the words right from my.. fingers... Music teachers are the best people in the world.

[tibber]

Dude - as with the other videos, totally blown away by the kids and the heart with which they sing. That being said, I'm totally blown away by the change in hair style from 2006 to now lol....

[agreggofsociety]

lol! actually this video was POSTED in 2006, this is actually from June of 2001! :)

[katowl77]

Mr. B is gonna feel old if he sees that post! :)

[tweety9102]

I dont wanna have to sing a song or give a speech at my graduation

[mexinoc]

I love seeing Tori's art interpreted and performed by children. Truly inspiring. A testament to the power and beauty of the creative process. Kudos to Greg.....:) Thank you for sharing....

[peacio]

I just have to write a short note to say how ABSOLUTELY AMAZING all these children are! literally half an hour ago i was looking through perez hilton's blog and came across the kid's performing "eye of the tiger" and since then my eyes have stayed glued to these videos. It is such a great blessing that these children have such a wonderful and charismatic teacher! all the best for the future!

[SCREAMbbySCREAM]

i seriously just about threw up.

i just accidently found this

and this was actually MY GRADUATION

i can see myself !

and i still remember this song <3

im glad this video is up.

it brings back good times i was liek 10 and now im nearly 19 thats nuts!

[ledzep1970s]

That was absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing :)

[buriedlovely]

As I sit and write this, I am crying.

This was one of my best friend's favorite Tori Amos songs.

In just about an hour, he will have been gone for 2 years. He was a theatre teacher for young kids and he would have loved what you did with these kids.

I am touched and moved and I thank you for being someone like this in children's lives.

I smile and know that he is watching it from wherever he is in the Universe.

Teachers like you (and Tom) make the world a better place for kids. Bless you.

[agreggofsociety]

thank you for sharing that with me. i am truly humbled by what you said.

[julesb29]

As a former grammar school music student, I appreciate all of your hard work which brought about this beautiful end product. I, too cried as soon as they opened their sweet voices for all of us to here. Might I add that you have just made me a Tori Amos fan as well. You are an incredible inspiration to these children and your lessons have made them shine. Kudos Gregg!

[BoysForPele1989]

Greg, you are so gifted; you have changed the lyrics beautifully and intelligently. You have created an age appropriate rendition of this song which flows mellifluously with the meaning. It shows you have a remarkable understanding of Tori's lyrics. The way you portray the concepts is a sign of true craft in the art of teaching and inspiring.

[agreggofsociety]

high praise, and highly appreciated!  :)

[splent]

Hmmm... I'm a middle school teacher in the Chicago area, and I do like Tori Amos... how did you go about teaching this? Was it by rote or did you use music? Same with the piano... did you figure it out yourself? I LOVE it!

[agreggofsociety]

yes to all and thanks! :)

[Colleenginta12]

mine graduation is going to be soooo better its on wesday

[danlax]

I am a Year 1 (age 5-6) teacher in the UK and a huge Tori fan, and I am overwhelmed by this... I wish I had any musical ability to spread the word in my own school!

[adanjuarez]

wow not coments its wonder

[astronoman11]

I wonder if Tori herself has seen this.. if so i bet she would be touched

[clitorides]

so sweet. i love the change of lyrics to fit them ..'moving on' in life :-)

[hhrecording]

how can a grade 5 graduate?!

[agreggofsociety]

ok, call it "final assembly" then. :)

[spencerStaley]

word...

[polishmaiden]

I so wish I could buy a recording of this version - their harmonies are lovely! :)

[catbaconlady]

Chills all over.... oh my.

[theheatofher]

oh my god. shivers. spine.

wow. how adorable.

[pele0822]

Another amazing performance that floods a thousand oceans with tears :) You are admirable, and your students are adorable. Their angelic voices in a cathedral - I can hear Tori's next new album already... Best wishes to each and every one of you!

[mcb514]

OMG...i'm wordless...such a good song by such innocent kids...this is by far the cuttest thing i've seen for a long time.

[Brooke1980]

Wow, I could have never imagined this song done by kids. Amazing, Bravo guys!!!

[z3rk3r]

omg... i use to go to this school...awesome school.. fav teacher mrs.ambrose. i wonder if she still teaches.

[XoXoBabydollbffx13]

cry

[carolinemsvetlana]

I called my mother after 13 years of us not speaking , after this video. Thank you

[polishmaiden]

that's such a sweet video! It's as if the song was written just to be sung by kids. Beautiful.

[skyimagery]

your passion for tori and her work is awe-inspiring because it manages to exceed my own. that you teach her music is a gift to the children and to us all. thanks for your beautiful work.

[cmullinax]

gave me chills and made me tear up. Absolutely beautiful. Nice job adapting the lyrics for the occasion. Great job teacher and students.

[Iridav]

Is this a normal 5th class in a school? How does it come, that they all sing in the right tone?

[agreggofsociety]

ha! hard work and a LOOOOOOOOOOT of patience! thanks!

[zemonsta]

That was brilliantly done. Big applause to you all!

[PianoHead26]

WOW! I love it, perfect song for young people, or anyone for that matter. But that was perfect for the graduation. Awesome. :)

[obbligato123]

I sure can!!! How nice to hear young people singing this song from mid 90s. Thought I was the only one who liked it.

[sarathine]

Wonderful :)

[tinkyjem]

this truly show the talent of Tori, and how truly beautiful her songs are. This makes me feel warm inside

[AsAmsterdam]

aaaah. my heart.

[vkotis]

Awesome!!! i like that...good job, man!!! I've been listenning to her since boy for pele came out and i will always love her music. keep it goin...

[onyana]

The world can be so beautiful sometimes! Congratulations to you and the students

[XDaveyXHavoksXLoveX]

thats cool i wish my music teacher had good music taste

[carolinemsvetlana]

I'm crying. That was so amazing, that music teacher really knows what he's doing. It sounded so beautiful!

[bigbigsound]

that was really good.

[1jazzsinga]

This teacher has done very well with his children's choirs. He should be very proud of his work. Some of these choir recordings are better than some highschool and adult choir recordings. Nice work children! Somebody find them a better piano NOW!

[nycmalu1292]

OMG. datss mr beinsteinn i think i spelled it..he was my music teacher in p.s.60 wayyy baqqq b4 ohh shyttt lol

[EbonyRose310]

wonderful

[dnkythemnky]

outstanding! i hope this finds tori somehow... she'd love it

[KICKstartchange]

I have seen your children sing a lot, but the rewrite for this song is.. absolutely beautiful. I love Tori's song, but this version... I wish I was a choir teacher, all of my kids would sing this.

Beautiful!

[TheComplainer]

A music teacher who actually inspires!

Well done!

[thestormawakes]

I have goosebumps. This is so beautiful. I wonder if Tori knows.

[troybrooks]

WOOOOOW. Very moving. Love that you reworked such a cool song.

[PIXELSURGEONDESIGNS]

i was expecting this to be awful,brilliant job people just luvli!

[BugAMartini]

OMG I love Tori and I always really criticise people who try to sing her songs!!! But this works really well!!! Never seen kids especially a group of them singing a tori song!!! This is a first!!! Id say Tori would love it!!!

[DitAnnie]

woow!...beautiful!

[Geigerkampf]

Gave me goosebumps!

[cheebalicious]

Wow. What a talented group of kids, and what a fabulous song for graduation! I can only hope that my own 5th grader's upcoming graduation is half as lovely. :)

[cedarmcox]

I don't know, I just started crying when the little kids started to sing.. it beautiful..!

[vontrego]

That damn instructor is brilliant for choosing a Tori Amos song!...Great job dude!!!

[Angorasoul]

Best music teacher ever!

[FlorenciaYYY]

This is great I keep listening to it over and over! I love this version. Keep going! (From Argentina) :)

[tumblingdown]

Amazing is right. These childrens' instructor is great for introducing a Tori Amos song (slightly altered) to them at such a young age. I would have loved to perform one of Tori's songs in high school choir. Or any choir.

[imthekingoftheworld]

Excellent! Children are precious!

[spacepup84]

wow... just wow... :)

[tidalboxer]

Man...I just keep watching this over and over. Chill bump!

[tidalboxer]

WOW...AMAZING!!!

[Spinny78]

Gave me goosebumps - wow!!!!

[jcox]

whatever is going on here is simple and clear = MAGIC. i hope this develops into a major thing, a record? its lovely...

[wreckingforce]

I think what you are doing is wonderful, amazing... there are just not enough words for it. As I watched this, I found myself incredibly moved and crying... THANK GOODNESS for teachers like you. <3. <3. <3.

[anndromeda]

I so enjoy listening to these amazing children. What a perfect song for graduation day. I'll keep watching.

[AnneMarieIrene]

okay, this made me cry. they performed it so beautifully, too. tori's essence was not lost in the translation. (...annemarieirene from the Afterglow and Damaged Twinkles)

[theendlessband]

Wow. Seriously beautiful. Thank you for this.

[syandiedtoday]

omfg! this is really cool. and sweet...

[gonzo73]

Amazing. Absolutely amazing how a great melody can work even on so different settings and approaches. Hats off to Tori and to this fantastic kids ;)

[Rocza]

Wow - that was really amazingly beautiful, much moreso than I thought it would be. Truly lovely.

And congrats on getting a mention in Neil Gaiman's blog. :)

[allthingsfeist]

this is great gregg! this is john, turbidblue ;)

[Orione]

Very beautiful. Beautifully song, and meaningful lyric adaptations.

[Orione]

I mean beautifully *sung* :-) And while I'm commenting again, I have to agree with Redtalula; beautiful arrangements too.

[lanoragd]

OMG! I have goosebunmps and tears in my eyes... Thank you... The lyrics forgiven, beautiful...

[redtalula]

I love you for doing this, it's so awesome! The arrangements are great and listening to these kids makes me cry, it's so beautiful. Thank you so much for giving us a chance to hear (and see) it!

[dreamfetus]

Wow. This is all so beautiful, surprising, and inspiring! Amazing job!

[Joseebus]

This is so sweet and beautiful and I'm sure Tori would appreciate a song that she wrote from such pain to become transformed into an anthem of hope. :-)

[cricket220]

Ahhhh! Gregg, this is awesome! I have a new appreciation for the melody and lyrics of "Twinkle."