Letting the Sun Shine in at YAI
By Carrie Wesolowski
Photos by Frank Asencio and Carrie Wesolowski
New Year, new location. Same ebullient smiles.
Same joy when we performed for our dear friends at YAI. It is always such a joy singing here. We have sung here on countless occasions yet each experience seems fresh and new. Special moments that make us all come alive.
From the moment Anthony introduced us to the moment after our encore when a YAI audience member requested that we sing The Star-Spangled Banner and he joined us in our rendition (Staten Island Yankees style), there were smiles—our smiles, our audience’s smiles, the staff members’ smiles. It was almost like a musical party of sorts. That musical joy began with Siyahamba and Shosholoza featuring a solo by Gary. Our audience was obviously excited as we began to sing.
Anthony front and center in his fedora smiling and striking a pose with his arms outstretched surrounded by choir members and our maestro René who smile and cheer as he introduces the choir to the YAI audience.
(Photo: Frank Asencio)
We continued with the Ben E. King classic Stand by Me and then we sang a Spanish song—Paz Y Libertad. Rene debuted his new instrument here. As the concert progressed, he was getting the hang of his new guitalele. The audience loved that great moment when Anthony took to the microphone in his trademark sunglasses, ready for his solo with Lis in River of Dreams and that other touching moment after the song ended, when they shared a hug.
You could tell the audience loved Alex singing one of his favorite songs Little Triggers by one of his favorite singers, Elvis Costello, just as much as he did. The group “In Harmony”—comprising Peace of Heart Choir members Amanda, Andrew, and Deb—sang Take Me There.
There was a palpable energy when we sang our sing-alongs, Peace like a River, Singing for Our Lives, and our newest sing-alongs, One Foot/Lead with Love featuring soloists Madhumita, Nancy, and Carrie, and the African-American spiritual, Oh, I Woke Up This Morning featuring a solo by Deb. We were clapping and our audience was clapping and singing right along with us. And there was dancing and swaying to the music.
There was an uplifting Lift Us Up featuring a solo by Lynn and a heartfelt and inspired Over the Rainbow featuring solos by Andy and Tony. Our last two songs—anthems for peace— One Day, featuring solos by Amanda and Charlie and Let There Be Peace on Earth featuring a solo by Cheryl. Our encore was an exuberant Let the Sun Shine In with a jazzy solo by Nancy. And if that wasn’t enough; our audience wanted more.
With a suggestion from a YAI member, before long we were singing The Star Spangled Banner (Staten Island Yankees style) and he was at the microphone singing with us. We took our bows to enthusiastic applause. Staff members told us how much they loved hearing us sing—how wonderful our concert was—how it’s always so great.
We chatted with YAI members that we have gotten to know throughout the years, and one after the other—they thanked us and said how much they loved our music. Before we walked out, we took note of the magnificent globe in the lobby that we rushed by earlier on our way upstairs to YAI. That massive globe set into the floor that nearly towers above onlookers is The Daily News Globe constructed in 1930 and this is the spectacular art deco Daily News Building.
(Photo: Carrie Wesolowski)
Our maestro René and some of us took photos with our hands outstretched in front of the globe that could be captioned, “We’ve got the whole world in our hands.”
As we parted, one of our friends from YAI said that he couldn’t wait for us to come back and sing again. Neither can we.
It’s always great to hear such positive feedback after our concerts:
Here’s a recent testimonial from the YAI director:
“Thank you so much for coming. We love your singing & eagerly look forward to your next visit!
”
Our sentiments exactly.
In harmony,
Carrie Wesolowski, Alto 1