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Have You Seen This? Former choir students surprise ill teacher with moving performance
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A group of former Chicago high school choir students banded together to surprise their former teacher Ms. Gabrielyn Watson with an emotional performance. - photo by Angie Treasure
CHICAGO Great teachers change lives, a video made by the folks at Kleenex opens by saying. That, certainly, is a truth universally acknowledged.

That ethos rang true for a group of former Morgan Park High School choir students who banded together to surprise their former teacher Ms. Gabrielyn Watson with an emotional performance.

Spearheaded by former student and American Idol contestant Peter Frank, chorus students from all different graduating classes rehearsed and performed the gospel classic Amazing Grace to honor Ms. Watson who had been facing some unfortunate health troubles.

I realized that I never really had a chance to let her know exactly how influential she was to my life, Frank said, having graduated in 2005 and now working in Los Angeles as an entertainer.

We hear anything to do with Ms. Watson and were, like, were there, agreed Allie, Class of 2007.

Told that she was getting a teacher interview on camera, the moment when Ms. Watson realizes what's really happening is fantastic, and it won't be long before it makes sense to viewers why Kleenex sponsored the video.

I never thought Id see them all together like that, Watson said. Its just great to feel loved and that what you do matters.
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Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
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Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Street musician killing it on clarinet

She must have lungs of iron! Its inspiring hearing the upper registers being played so well.

Posted by Clarinet Life on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
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