The following is a Columbia records press release I read through Yahoo this morning (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010828/282449.html):

Tony Bennett and New York City's School Chancellor Harold Levy to Visit Frank Sinatra School of the Arts On Opening Day, September 5th

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Aug. 28, 2001--

When New York City high schools open their doors on Wednesday, September 5, a very special group of ninth and tenth graders will become the inaugural class of the newly established Frank Sinatra School of the Arts -- a fact that would have would have made the ``Chairman of the Board'' very proud.

An idea conceived and spearheaded by Sinatra's close friend and colleague, Tony Bennett, the school has been established as a New York City public high school with a demanding academic and extensive arts curriculum. The inaugural class consists of 250 students from the five boroughs who have completed a competitive audition process to be selected to attend. The school will be housed at its temporary site at LaGuardia Community College in Queens with a permanent facility to be built adjacent to the Kaufman Astoria Studios and Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens, scheduled for completion in 2003.

Tony Bennett commented, ``The school, for me personally, has been a very special way to pay tribute to the greatest performer and friend I have ever known, and it is particularly meaningful that the permanent site will be built in my hometown of Astoria. I know the students who are enrolled in this year's class will receive a remarkable education and will make valuable contributions to the arts.'' The nine-time Grammy winner will make a visit to the school to welcome the students on opening day on Wednesday, September 5.

The program consists of a demanding academic curriculum in addition to a pre-conservatory studio education in one of the following art forms: instrumental music, vocal music, fine arts, drama and dance. In the eleventh grade, students will have the option of remaining in their original studio selection or auditioning for three new two-year studios: filmmaking, technical theatre and musical theatre. Students will be able to complete the academic coursework and the intensive study of an art form in three to four years through an extended day format.

Koz:

Thank you so much for posting the article about the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts! Last December when plans for the school were announced, Nancy posted an article on the Family Album telling of the school. Since that article was posted, I have been searching and searching for more information, and finding none.

I think the school is a wonderful tribute to Frank, and to Tony Bennett and all of the people who are supporting it.

I ofen think about how Frank struggled to get into show business and I wonder, what if he had become discouraged? What if he had given up? What if the world had never heard his voice, or witnessed his gift for acting? What if the world had never been influenced by the goodness of the man, by the stand he took against bigotry, or his political activism?

How wonderful that a public school in Queens, New York will gather into it's student body, and encourage, talented young people who will someday delight the world, and help to shape it's vision!

Can anyone offer some updated information about the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts? I've been hoping that there would be occassional media coverage, but have not seen anything related to the school.

Andrea