Reimagining hit songs with PS22

There's a solution to performing contemporary hit songs with young students in spite of the lyrics.

Gregg Breinberg leads the world famous 5th & 6th grade PS22 chorus from Staten Island, NY. He calls it "reimagining" the songs with revised lyrics suitable for younger singers. 

 Most of the time I'm flabbergasted at the lyric content of the top 40 songs and wouldn't sing them in class. But one year I was reviewing his chorus' work and learned that was the formula he was using in explaining how they could sing a tune, in this case, from the esteemed poet Eminem. 

Today's top 40 songs are for sure popular and the kids know them by heart. They usually also have decent (no pun intended) melodies. So, he takes a leap of musical courage and re-writes the offensive lyric content.

The best thing about PS22's YouTube work is that your students can listen and watch great singers at work who are their age. Great enthusiasm, terrific harmonies. Make checking out PS22 a regular thing to do!