Dozens of adoring fans flocked to the Fair Lawn High School Library Friday morning for the world premiere of a new music video by nine of the school’s Bridges II students.
Accustomed to the film cranes, scoop lighting and boom mics from their last shoot, the day’s stars -- dressed in award show garb -- seemed unfazed by the horde of photographers and videographers on hand to capture the unveiling of their moving rendition of Miley Cyrus’, “The Climb.”
Doreen Yates, the primary instructor for the Bridges II program, which serves 16- to 21-year olds with cognitive disabilities, said she truly considered the students superstars.
“This has been an amazing journey for [the Bridges II students],” Yates said. “What began as a small idea, quickly evolved into a life-altering experience...Today you will see the students, who not only enjoy life, but now also truly believe in themselves.”
The Bridges II students who participated in the project were Kelsey Mastrobuoni, Florangel Nunez, Raychelle Binns, Danybel Felix, Jade Massimi, Elaine Yip, Denise Marain, Erin Hayes and Ben Shaltuper.
Under the guidance of music teacher John Giresi, they received the performing arts experience of a lifetime – getting to lay down Cyrus’ song, “The Climb,” in a recording studio and then act in a subsequent music video shot with professional-level equipment, and masterfully mixed and edited.
Giresi, who also directs the school’s award-winning musicals, conceived of the project after he started working with the class in September.
“I wanted to create a kind of public performance opportunity for them, not just make it a general music class,” Giresi said. “And I thought, well what if we produced our own music video and let that be a performance piece for them.”
He chose, “The Climb,” as the feature piece because many of the students liked the song and were familiar with it from having sung it in middle school.
“We came up with a vocal arrangement, giving different kids solos, broke it all up and it turned out really nice,” Giresi said.
Their recording became the soundtrack to the video portion of the project, which Giresi shot at the school over a three-week period.
The project culminated in an all-day video shoot on Dec. 2, for which Giresi brought in his own personal contacts in the photography, videography, hair and makeup industries to create a high-end studio environment for the performers.
Hair and makeup were done by 8:30 that morning, and an hour later, the camera was rolling.
“It was just one great take after the other,” Giresi said of the final shoot. “It really was a tremendous day. They had a lot of fun, they were totally into it. They were not inhibited at all. They really committed to what they were doing.”
At Friday’s ceremony, Giresi said the all-day shoot was one of the most exciting days of his life.
“At the end of that day, I had a rehearsal for the school musical, and I said, you know what, I’m burnt out. That’s it,” he said. “No rehearsal today. I’m done. I’m going home. I was so exhausted because the energy was so high all day long."
Following the final shoot, Giresi merged the videos and began editing them down in preparation for Friday’s premiere, which, once aired, was met with raucous applause and more than a few moist eyes.
Giresi said what was most important to him about the project was that it was representative of the students.
“I didn’t care about the quality of the singing,” he said. “What was important was that it was their voices.”
“All of the singing, whether it’s in tune or out of tune, or in rhythm or out of rhythm, wasn’t important to me. What was important to me was that it was them. That it’s their work, not someone else sweetening it in the studio,"Giresi said on the day of the shoot. "It’s all very real and very genuine and that’s all that mattered to me. Their movement today is their movement.”
Giresi, who’s been directing stage productions for more than a quarter-century and has always worked with the most talented student actors, said it was rewarding to provide a performance experience for individuals who hadn’t had one before.
“In the latter part of my career now, I would love to bring that opportunity to the kids that have never gotten that experience before,” said Giresi, who hopes the project will inspire others to create more musical opportunities for people with special needs. “This was really cool. I'd love to do more projects like this for the district.”
Stuart Pace
3:00 pm on Friday, December 16, 2011
This quite possibly is the greatest production by any Fair Lawn Music program.....ever!
Dave Marain
5:58 pm on Friday, December 16, 2011
This amazing performance was the most touching,miraculous experience of a lifetime. How can one put into words the joy we felt to see our children up there in all their glory doing a music video in such a professional manner. There is no way that a simple thank you can express how I feel about these dedicated teachers and all the people they brought in to show the world how our children can shine, and shine they did!
The Proud Parents of Denise Marain
michelle massimi
6:45 pm on Friday, December 16, 2011
The children all did such an amazing job and they really enjoyed themselves. I know my daughter, Jade, came home happy and excited everyday being a part of this experience. Jade loves music and "The Climb" is one of her favorite songs. All children deserve the chance to enjoy music and sing their hearts out. Thank you to Mr. Giresi, Mrs. Yates, Melanie, Martha, all the volunteers and all the dedicated people that were brought in and gave them the chance to shine in such an amazing way. Jade and all her classmates have always been stars to me. Great job! I am so proud of all of you!
Mrs. M.
Barbara Sbarra
8:29 pm on Friday, December 16, 2011
Thank You to Fairlawn HS, Mr. Giresi, Mrs. Yates and all who made this performance one the most memorable experience of my life. I was so overwhelmed with these children. Just seeing the looks on their faces of how happy and proud they were. They did an amasing job. Mr. Giresi you are to be commented for doing a great job
My Granddaughter Jade Massimi was the happiest child today. Thank You
Leslie Seid
12:31 am on Saturday, December 17, 2011
As a former (retired) paraprofessional for the Fair Lawn Board of Education I was so touched by this beautiful performance! I personally worked with almost all of the performers in the video. To see how they have matured and grown brought tears to my eyes. I am still so proud of each and every one of them! They were always stars to me and they always will be! I can't stop watching this video!
I miss you all,
xoxox
Leslie Seid (AKA: Seid)
Kristi Gail Masone
9:29 am on Saturday, December 17, 2011
OH MY GOODNESS!!! Wow, now I'm in tears! I student taught at Memorial when these students... or should I say artists were in the Middle School and I gained so much from the experience working with them. They taught me many things, one of which was to always be persistent... and to "climb" towards my dreams.
I now teach a self contained class of children with Multiple Disabilities in West Milford (where I grew up and always dreamed of teaching) and my class sang The Climb at last year's Friday Night Live (our school's talent show). We opened the show, and it felt like we closed it - with every person on their feet with the conclusion of the song. I know what it's like to see the look on my students' faces when they have accomplished something huge! I applaud everyone who worked on this project!
It was truly fantastic - CONGRATULATIONS - I am so proud of you and I'll be needing some autographs!
Love, Miss Masone xoxo
Miss you!
doreen
10:11 am on Saturday, December 17, 2011
What an amazing gift. Awe inspiring. Congratulations to the stars and their famiies. A huge thank you to Mr Giresi and everyone else who made it possible.
Ada
1:31 pm on Saturday, December 17, 2011
WOW, just saw this video but with great difficulty as my eyes were flooded with tears! I know some of these students and one of them is my neighbor! Being the parent of a child with a learning disability myself I know how difficult it is for both the parents and their children to "CLIMB". I am proud of all of them and, maybe we should all take lessons from them. Thank you Mr. Giresi and all the volunteers for doing this . Thanks for keeping their dreams alive and allowing them to shine. ;)
Mrs. Mendez
Ellen Ban Klion
12:56 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
I have had the pleasure of working as a paraprofessional with these wonderful young performers. I was overcome with tears and pride when I saw their performance. Congratulations to Mr. Giresi, Mrs. Yates and all of the people involved in making a dream for these great kids come true! Love to all of them!
gonetomahwah
1:00 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
GREAT JOB STUDENTS! You are incredible! What a joy to see this! I am so proud to be a member of the Fair Lawn Community! Clearly, not having a contract hasn't stopped the teachers from surpassing expectations! GREAT JOB ALL! So proud of all and proud to live in Fair Lawn!
Mayerling Nunez
11:45 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
I was so touched by this project. It was amazing, they are future stars. Iam so grateful for being a parents of a child that is part of the Fair Lawn Bridges II program. Word can not express my gratitud for having florangel in Mrs. Yates class. Since 2006 it's being a long road for all of us. but we belive in MIRACLES. God is good.MIRACLES EXIST!!!!! CONGRATULATIOS TO ALL!!
Donna Gnecco
10:56 am on Monday, December 19, 2011
awesome!!!!
Sam Leigh
2:15 pm on Monday, December 19, 2011
this is awesome. great job FLHS, I am one proud alumnus
Louis Sbarra
1:43 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2011
Amazing to watch these children. The joy on their faces tells it all. My Granddaughter Jade Massimi was thrilled to be a star. Everyone should be required to watch this video and see the sparkle in the kids' eyes. Thank you Fairlawn H.S., Mr. Geresi, Mrs. Yates and all who made this possible.
Louis Sbarra