Music Celebrates Our Rich Diversity
April 3, 2006
On a cold and rainy night, friends of Communities in Schools, NY joined together for a concert to benefit School #20 for the Deaf & Limited Hearing in St. Petersburg Russia. The performances, which ranged from classical instrumentals to jazz to song celebrated the richness of diversity in our world. The distinguished gathering enjoyed the magical evening hosted in the beautiful sanctuary of St. Peters Lutheran Church.
In April 2003, twenty-eight deaf children, all 6 and 7 year old boys, died in a fire at their school in Makhachkala, Russia. Rescue was difficult because the children were unable to hear the fire alarm. Russian President, Vladimir Putin, remarking on the tragedy said "All Russians are grieving for these children". Compelled by this story, CISNY's educational consultant Stephen Menchini visited School # 20 for the Deaf in St. Petersburg and through his meetings with school faculty established a partnership between School # 20 for the Deaf in Russia and the American Sign Language & English School in NYC; this partnership enabled both schools to develop pen-pal exchange programs for their students. Since his involvement, Mr. Menchini has worked with CISNY to raise funds for the purchase of computers, books, and crafts to help School # 20 for the Deaf to continue making positive links between Russian and American students.
Dr. Roy Blash, Executive Director of Communities in Schools, New York remarked, "We believe that people, and especially children desperately need hope and the ability to dream of their future; they need to believe that it will bring about new promise in their lives. It is part of our mission to give those we work with and for a reason to be hopeful in this fast changing world of ours." Menchini has worked with CISNY to raise funds for the purchase of computers, books, and crafts to help School #20 continue making positive links between Russian and American students.
Classical Interludes
Dorian Rence and Fiona Simon are old friends of Communities in Schools, New York. Both are world-renowned musicians from the new York Philharmonic Orchestra. Dorian has started an animal humane organization called the Artemus Project. She and Fiona have provided both musical concerts and humane educational programs to youngsters served by Communities in Schools for the past five years. Their Classical Interlude selections for the April 3rd concert at St. Peter's Church were Passacaglia for Violin & Viola by Handel and Halvorsen and Three Madrigals for Violin and Viola by Bohuslav Martinu.
All That Jazz
Deanna Witkowski brought her friends to the event to join in several Jazz interpretations including such popular standards as Hi Lily, Hi Lily, Hi Lo.
St. Peter's, which is known for its Sunday Jazz Vespers, recommended the talented trio. Deanna and her friends play throughout New York City specializing in Jazz "heart & soul"; they are considered an up and coming group in New York City's Jazz community.
A Happy Gathering in a Beautiful Setting
The concert to benefit School # 20 for the Deaf and Limited Hearing in St. Petersburg brought out a good number of people in our New York community who care about the education of children. Among them were Dr. David Avdul, Professor of Education at Pace University, seen here in animated discussion with Howard Friedman, Principal of Manhattan Comprehensive Night & Day High School at the reception following the musical event.
Others were John Quinn, Principal of La Salle Academy, Mr. Robert Bates, head of the English Department at Adelphi Academy and several teachers who accompanied their students from schools such as Freedom Academy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School.
The sanctuary of Saint Peter's Lutheran Church is open to the sights and sounds of New York City. The lovely setting was designed by Hugh Stubbins. Part of the mission of the Church's ministry is to partner with agencies like Communities in Schools in order to reach more people and youth in need in order to both provide hope and increase the options that can improve their future. The sanctuary provided an ideal setting for the spirit of contribution and celebration conveyed at the April 3rd evening occasion attended by over 150 guests. We thank St. Peter's for the generous contribution of the sanctuary and living room . In addition to laptop computers, books and art supplies, School # 20 will be receiving keyboards especially designed by Kids-n-Keyboards; see story on page 4.
Songs from Broadway
Roosevelt Andre Credit and Dr. Thomas Schmitt are friends of Communities in Schools' many cultural programs designed for young people. Dr. Schmitt is the cantor and director of music at St. Peter's Church and his West Coast educated star soloist from Broadway and the world of opera is Roosevelt Andre Credit. Roosevelt's medley of songs which included Ole Man River and closing rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone were stirring to say the least.
Creating a "New Product" Just for the Children in Russia
Kidz-n-Keyboards joined Communities in Schools New York to help the children of School # 20 for the Deaf & Limited Hearing in St. Petersburg. Kidz-n-Keyboards colorful product line was developed specifically to help children master and love using keyboards. Peter LoCasio, VP of the company remarked that "all educational products have the potential for modification". When he and Tina Perry, President of Kidz-n-Keyboards heard about CISNY's effort to help deaf children in Russia, they immediately began re-writing their manual in Russian, and adapting their keyboard format to reflect the Cyrillic alphabet. Within five days they had a prototype ready for the children at School # 20 to experiment with and learn the skill of typing at an early age. It was Tina Perry's dream to help all children learn to type. Today, this dream is dedicated to the memory of her beloved daughter, a teacher who taught children at a School for the Deaf and it drives her desire to make a difference in the lives of as many children as possible.
CISNY salutes Tina Perry and Peter LoCasio for their work to make this dream a reality. We believe in their effort and goal to adapt their products to help as many children as they can in many different lands.
"Communities in Schools NY have undertaken an unprecedented commitment to help the children of School # 20 in St. Petersburg. We commend all who have helped and continue to help make this program a success." -- Mikhail Pronin, Vice Consel General NYC, Russian Federation
Highlighting the supporters
- The Anthony Robbins Foundation - provided seating and transportation for 100 students from under-served communities and funding for the acquisition of laptop computers and software
- The Margaretta Taylor Music & Art Foundation provided funds for the acquisition of musical instruments and art supplies
- St. Peter's Lutheran Church - graciously hosted the event in its beautiful sanctuary
- Tina Perry's, Kids-n-Keyboards - modified and contributed their product to School # 20
- Aldo's Biscotinni - generously provided refreshments including his world famous biscotti