June 9 will mark the culmination of a 15-week after school songwriting program created by the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus. Events surrounding the special day will take place at New York City Lab School for Collaborative Studies in Chelsea. The New York City Council, Department of Cultural Affairs and District 3 City Council Member Corey Johnson support the program. “As part of the CASA (Cultural After School Adventures) programming initiative spearheaded by the Mayor and NYC Council,” said Johnson. “The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus team has brought a unique songwriting curriculum into our school. Arts education is a crucial part of a child’s development and giving students the chance to focus on classic and contemporary songwriting, with an eye towards creating an original piece is an incredible opportunity. The guidance of Lennon Bus instructor Daniel Yount and LAB School music teacher Leah Pilon has an immeasurable positive impact on the students at the LAB School and we look forward to expanding the program next year.”
For one hour each week during the duration of the program, a select group of students focus on classic and contemporary songwriting, with the culmination being marked by the creation of their own original piece. The after-school program was offered on a first-come first-served basis and each student was required, at a minimum, to have beginner-level experience with a musical instrument prior to registering.
On Friday, June 9, at 10 a.m. the students who benefitted from this program will premiere an original song they created by performing it live in front of the 600 students of the high school. Council Member Corey Johnson will provide remarks, as will Brian Rothschild, Executive Director of the Lennon Bus, and LAB School Principal Brooke Jackson. A documentary-style video that tracks the progression and experiences of the students from the initial session to the culminating event will be debuted as well.
Following the assembly, the school will come together to form a giant human peace sign that will be aerially photographed with each participant wearing a gifted Lennon Bus T-shirt.
This addition to the curriculum precedes the fourth annual Come Together NYC Tour in the Fall largely sponsored by the Mayor’s Office, Department of Cultural Affairs and New York City Council.
For more information, visit lennonbus.org.
