January 28, 2021
“You are human. You are meant to make mistakes. You are meant to be happy. You are deserving. Stay amazing.”
These lyrics, inspired by students at Cornell and at Longmeadow High School in Longmeadow, Mass., are part of an online choral/video project the students created in partnership with composer LJ White.
The idea for “You Are,” came together during brainstorming sessions between Stephen Spinelli, assistant director of choral programs at Cornell, and his former middle school choral director, Kayla Werlin.
“Our goal was to engage Longmeadow High School and Cornell University students in a process that would foster community while creating art,” Werlin said, adding that both schools wanted to do more than a standard virtual choir project during the pandemic.