Junior high students from the Parkside Preparatory Academy near Prospect Park played a variety of seasonal songs for residents of the Shore View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Dec. 19. The students’ band teacher said the performance was a great way to teach the students how to spread cheer, especially during this special time of year.
“We have to teach them to share — especially for the holidays,” said Daniel Vernikov, who has been the school’s band teacher for eight years. “I said, ‘Guys, you know what? We have to share your talent.’ ”
The students played an array of cultural classics, like “Winter Wonderland,” “Auld Tannenbaum,” and “Feliz Navidad.” Vernikov said he is trying to teach his students to celebrate all types of traditional tunes.
“Not only American music, but I’m trying to give them European music and any kind of music — starting with classics for the band and all the way up to jazz,” he said.
Vernikov said he is grateful to work at a school that appreciates the value of music — and he said he is glad that the school’s principal, Adrienne Spencer, allowed the kids to spread holiday cheer to the elderly residents at Shore View.
“They were so happy, because you know old people, they’re in their wheelchairs and you have to see their eyes when they’re sparkling,” said Vernikov. “It was so magnificent.”
