Students across the Hudson Valley are connecting the community through music.

The Byram Hills School District held a virtual choir performance, singing their rendition of "Stand Together."

 

Byram Hills District choral teachers met with Director of Fine Arts Mr. Deepak Marwah to create the project and the student response was overwhelmingly high. Fifth-grader Brett Kaplan said, "This project was special to me because it felt like we were all together again, singing the song that everyone loved and practiced for so long."

The project was compiled and edited by Brian Melso of the District's Media Center and featured 44 individual videos submitted by students that delivered an inspiring and timely message.

"We had no idea it would become an anthem for our community during COVID-19," said Jonah Piali, Byram Hills High School choir director.  "The text expresses the powerful belief that when we are united together with one voice, our potential for greatness is stronger than when we stand alone."

High school senior Alex Dempsey shared, "Being able to sing about the power of community and togetherness, while also being present with my own community, helped me feel optimistic."