Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Day I Discovered Coldplay...




I was hanging out in blogland  several years ago and came across a wonderful story of a music teacher named Travis Garland. Travis teaches at PS 22 in Staten Island, NY. His students are from racially diverse backgrounds, mostly low-income, and just love to sing in the PS 22 Choir. The group does not sing the usual songs, however, instead they enthusiastically sing pop songs like Tori Amos' "1000 Oceans" They hooked me on Coldplay's "Viva La Vida." It just ripped my heart out! I called my closest brother to tell him all about it (I thought I had personally discovered Coldplay...what a nerd I can be!) What he and I both liked were the videos of these kids singing this terrific song with their entire bodies, hearts and souls.

Now they have been on Oprah and count Lady Gaga and Anne Hathaway as their fans. This year, they will be singing at the Academy Awards. Though I am sure they are more polished, I imagine they will still look like a group of joyfully singing "real kids" with their hyperactive teacher happily jumping around in front of them as he strums his guitar. I, for one, will be watching them and cheering them on.

I have played this YouTube song a million times, at least, only to find out that I am one of 28 million hits. This has been going on since 2006. I loved them then. I love them now. I am such a sucker for a good success story.

See for yourself!

21 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing this! They adorable, sweet....you name it.

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  2. How fabulous it is to find a great song! I am so behind the times when it comes to music. My kids have playlists full of music that I have no idea where they found them... I am very technologically challenged and often have them put music on my ipod! LOL.
    Speaking of great songs... can you refer any more awe inspiring songs that I could use to help women in a recovery centre to have a better self esteem, anything that will lift them up? I am going to put a call out on my blog for suggestions for uplifting songs that I can play for them.
    Thanks for sharing this with us. When I get home from work I am going to come back here and click on the link you have posted so that I can listen too. (I have no speakers on my computer at work).
    Big hugs and many blessings Suz.

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  3. LOVE* love this- Coldplay too!

    Sweet blessings to you Suz.

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  4. Suz! thank you for posting this! although i have to say I knew who coldplay was (for like a million years! just harassin' ya! hehe!)I never am up-to-date with all the popular you tube videos. I only ever see them through blogs really. I just love this one! All that energy and emotion those sweet kids put into the song! Now I want to watch the awards just to see them! There's nothing like music to stir the soul! Have a fabulous day my friend, xo natalea

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  5. As a lover of Coldplay, I remember the exact day I discovered them well over a decade ago! My, how time goes all too quickly! This was such a sweet post, Suz. Thanks for the clip!

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  6. so precious Suz
    I do enjoy Coldplay but didn't recognize the title of the song..."Yellow" is a fav!
    thank you for sharing this video ... made me misty eyed...children singing always pulls my heart strings...just wonderful!
    Loved them doing Journey "don't stop believin" too
    sweet thoughts and wishes continue to wing their way to you dear one
    oxo

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  7. Oh, yes, they have great music. Pretty and positive.

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  8. I am a HUGE Coldplay fan too... my kids might be getting sick of listening to their cds in the car! When we're out, my 6 year old will jump up and say, "Coldplay!" when he hears them!

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  9. I never miss the Academy Awards and this will be a highlight. Another friend posted one of PS 22's songs on Facebook last week as well. What inspiration this young teacher provides and what a gift they are to us all.
    I also am a huge Coldplay fan.

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  10. what precious little faces -singing without reserve! loved it -thank you for sharing.

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  11. Hi Suz,
    Can't wait to play this video!
    Can you email me your mailing address and last name?
    I'm at cindylou_20@hotmail.com

    Thanks so much!!!
    XO

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  12. Oh geez, they're adorable!!! That song is amazing. Why couldn't I have had a teacher that looked like that? lol
    XO

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  13. I love watching these videos, too and subscribe to them on you tube...he's such a great teacher...I would have loved to have a music teacher encourage me in this way when I was young!

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  14. How fun they're going to be at the Oscars this year, that is too cool!

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  15. What an amazing story and video, thank you for sharing this. I don't usually watch the Academy Awards but for this I will tune in!

    Kat :)

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  16. I love Coldplay, but I've never seen this video. The kids are great.
    xo
    lynn

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  17. They are so great, Suz, and I didn't catch them at the beginning of the Academy Awards, but I heard them sing the last song...so beautiful!!!
    XO

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  18. Hi there,
    I just met this charming choir while watching the Academy Awards and then saw them on Oprah with Katy Perry. They are just wonderful.
    I hope life is treating you well these day, sweet friend. Were you able to participate in the current "Match Box" Swap?

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  19. Hi Suz
    I have been thinking of you alot and praying positive thought your way.
    Hope all is going well Love Pinkie

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  20. Hi Suz,
    Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for your sweet comments!
    I'm so glad that the tag got there--Happy Mardi Gras!!!
    XO

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