Aviation HS is a CTE, Career and Technical Education, school that provides opportunities for students to earn their FAA licenses in HS which allows them to have job opportunities in the aviation field upon graduating. Due to the rigorous program students have little time for much else outside of their academic and shop classes. The band students at Aviation HS are an inspiration for finding the time and energy to dedicate themselves to rehearsals and also as a testament to the power of their love for music. These students are soldiers of music who serve as the heartbeat in the school building, promoting camaraderie across departments, clubs, and sports. They have been taught to demonstrate leadership with dignity and discipline. This video is a cover of the White Stripes, Seven Nation Army which was put together in November 2020 during Remote Instruction. Rehearsing and performing music remotely came with many challenging moments and problem solving. The purpose of this video was for the students and I to share something special for our school and to promote positivity in what has been a very challenging year. Last year, the students and I performed at Tweed for an event with the chancellor.

Performers: Anthony Alecu, Alexis Connor, Gian Fernandez, Diego Parga

The Scholars' Academy is a diverse school for students in Grades 6-12. Kirsten is a 10th Grade Music and Theatre student. She selected "Lift Every Voice and Sing" in order to perform it at our Black History Month celebration and therefore achieve our equity goals. As part of these goals, we developed, in earnest, a strategic plan tailored to elevate student voice around equity and access, regardless of family income, race, nationality, disability, language spoken at home, sexual orientation, or gender identification. Therefore, this piece was used to celebrate black culture. Students learned that it was written on the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birthday and became aware of its significance as the Black National Anthem, especially for our White and Asian students who may not be aware of its existence. Kirsten also received the 9th Grade Drama award last year.

She was able to share her culture with the school and address our equity goals. This year, The Scholars’ Academy formed an Equity Team, with support from the Office of Equity & Access (OEA). We immediately began developing, in earnest, a strategic plan tailored to elevate student voice around equity and access. This year, in the midst of the ongoing pandemic, we have continued building and expanding a structured and active equity team consisting of a diverse cross section of our staff that mirrors the diversity of our school community. It has been our goal to use music as a way to unite our school cultures and end the deep divisions that have plagued communities across the nation.

Performer: Kirsten Oudkerk

Additional Contributors: Leslie Kohn and Michele Smyth

P721Q is a D75 high school in Queens, NY. Our student performers are learning remotely and have been working with Ms. Angelica Tolentino from Marquis Studios to learn and perform Hip Hop virtually. The students performed a mash-up of several hip hop songs that they loved and showcased their dance skills. The students were able to dance, express themselves, learn about the history of hip hop and also engage in performing arts with their peers.

Performers: Alcibiades Beck, Carlos Cruz-Maravilla, Emily Degante, Brithaney Durzano, Tyler Fernandez, Janetzy Hernandez, Melvin Howard Hearns, Jenny Jarama, Briana Lema, Arnulfo Madero, Ronnell Mellor, Cristian Meyo Arenas, Jared Ortega, Kyle Paguntalan, Vincent Park, Josua Ricart Sanchez, Dhiran Soogrim, Joshua Toapanta, Renardo Todman, Emely Vargas Betances, Peter Velez, Jesus Zenon Rosales

Other Contributors: Angelica Tolomeo (Marquis Studios), Phyllis Tubbs, Patricia Screvane, Ling Li, Karen Conde, Jodi Levy, Christine Schutt, Sangita Dsa, Hamida Parvin, Christina Singh, Nadia Ibrahim, Maria Valenzuela, Patti Harris