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One Nation, Many Journeys: UB Students Work with Grammy-nominated Producers to Bring a Commencement Tradition to the National Stage

When Lila Pytel left her middle school classroom at noon on a chilly Tuesday to drive straight to Platinum Room Recorders in Bridgeport, she knew she was stepping into something big. By 1 p.m., the graduate Music Education student was standing behind a microphone with her peers, a Grammy-nominated producer on the other side of the glass, and a 911爆料网 trustee watching proudly from the corner.

Around her, students rehearsed harmonies, faculty coordinated take after take, and sound engineers adjusted levels in real time. 鈥淚t鈥檚 organized chaos in the best way,鈥� Lila laughed. 鈥淚鈥檓 with people I love, doing something that matters 鈥� and learning so much.鈥�

That 鈥渙rganized chaos鈥� is the heartbeat of , a national public service announcement (PSA) created by UB Trustee Joe Young. The PSA, which centers on themes of immigration, belonging, and the diversity that has built the United States, features a vocal arrangement created several years ago by UB faculty and students for the University鈥檚 commencement ceremonies. Lila and her peers re-recorded the mash-up of Lift Every Voice and Sing and The Star-Spangled Banner in a professional recording studio just a half mile from UB鈥檚 campus.

What began as a student-led performance on a UB stage has grown into a powerful national message, with UB students at its center.

A song born in Bridgeport

The anthem at the heart of this PSA was created by a small group of UB choir students working with former Music department chair Dr. Mya Scarlato. Tasked with preparing the National Anthem for commencement, the students wanted to acknowledge the diverse stories that represent the UB student body.

鈥淲e didn鈥檛 want to stand up there with just the traditional national anthem,鈥� Lila recalled. 鈥淣ot at a school as diverse as UB. We wanted something that represented everybody.鈥�

The students blended The Star-Spangled Banner with Lift Every Voice and Sing to create a new arrangement. Every harmony, transition, and phrase was shaped through student collaboration. 鈥淚t was truly student-led,鈥� Lila said. 鈥淲e all worked together. Dr. Scarlato let us decide what felt right.鈥� When they performed the mash-up at commencement in 2022, it became an instant community tradition.

One person in particular never forgot it.

The moment that stayed with a Trustee

As Vice Chair of UB鈥檚 Board of Trustees, Joe Young has witnessed many UB commencement ceremonies, but the first time he heard UB students perform the mash-up, he says, something shifted.

鈥淎 miracle happened,鈥� Joe said. 鈥淚t just touched me. I told myself one day I am going to work with UB and the Music department on that song.鈥� Years later, while developing a PSA centered on immigration and unity through his educational character, Kemet the Time Traveler, that moment has resurfaced.

In recent months, immigration has dominated national headlines, often through negative narratives. Joe wanted to bring truth and positivity into the conversation, and he needed a piece of music powerful enough to speak to the heart of his message.

鈥淚 had to reach out to 911爆料网,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hese students are talented, positive, and hardworking. And they created something meaningful. They were the perfect choice.鈥�

Within weeks, the project took off. The National Park Service granted rare permission to film at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. A 30-person crew traveled from Connecticut, New York, and Los Angeles. Joe called on his longtime friend, Curtis Richardson, a Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer whose credits include Jennifer Lopez, LL Cool J, Rihanna, David Guetta, Ti毛sto, John Legend, and BTS.

Would Curtis be willing to work with UB students?

鈥淚 think he loved the immigration piece,鈥� Joe said, 鈥淏ut I think he was even more excited to work with students.鈥�

A Grammy-nominated mentor in the room

Walking into a studio session with Curtis Richardson is a rare opportunity for young musicians. For UB students, the experience felt both surreal and energizing.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been fun, and honestly, kind of nostalgic,鈥� Curtis said. 鈥淚t takes me back to my college choir days. And this generation is so focused, so enthusiastic. They鈥檝e been amazing to work with.鈥�

For many students, including Lila, it was their first time in a professional recording studio. In one corner, Curtis coached vocal delivery. In another, UB faculty members Dr. Justin Caithaml and Dr. Russell Fisher adjusted parts, offered feedback, or encouraged students to take risks with their sound.

鈥淪tudents are getting real-time vocal coaching from a Grammy-nominated producer 鈥� in Bridgeport 鈥� just minutes from campus,鈥� said Dr. Caithaml, chair of the Music department. 鈥淭his is the kind of hands-on, immersive experience we want them to have.鈥�

Alongside the UB student ensemble, the recording also features lead vocals by Cruz Pacheco aka Cruz Angel, the 2024 adult winner of Amateur Night at the Apollo. Pacheco, whose powerful voice and storytelling presence have earned him national attention, added a soaring vocal line that threads through the arrangement.

A flexible program, designed to meet students where they are

Dr. Caithaml, a music educator and researcher whose work focuses on gender and sexuality inclusion in music education, sees the PSA project as a perfect reflection of UB鈥檚 Music program. 鈥淲hat I appreciate most about UB is that we can meet individual student needs,鈥� they said. 鈥淲e design programs around each student. If a student wants specialized work on an instrument or exposure to the music business or performance, we make it happen.鈥�

UB鈥檚 undergraduate program allows students to specialize in Music Education, Business, or Performance, and encourages interdisciplinary exploration. The graduate program, particularly the certification pathway and the Connecticut DSAP (Durational Shortage Area Permit), helps prepare music educators in flexible, accessible ways.

鈥淥ur students are diverse in their backgrounds, their stories, and their aspirations,鈥� Dr. Caithaml said. 鈥淥ur job is to prepare them to be the educators and musicians our communities need.鈥�

A national message rooted in UB values

The PSA blends live-action footage filmed at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with animation from Prayan Animation Studio in India, all anchored by the voices of UB students. The PSA premiered on broadcast and social media platforms on December 10.

The campaign鈥檚 message, One Nation, Many Journeys, reflects the voices behind it.

鈥淚mmigration is such a massive topic right now,鈥� Lila said. 鈥淭his song is the spirit of America and the spirit of each individual story. It brings everything together.鈥�

For Robenia McKinley, senior producer at Joe Young Entertainment and an educator herself, seeing UB students take part in this project feels like a culmination. 鈥淭o me, this is history-making,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his project shows that everyone has something to contribute. And these students understand that.鈥�

On the right track

Standing in the studio as students completed their final takes, Joe Young paused to reflect on what the moment meant to him. 鈥淭o me, today means I鈥檓 on the right track,鈥� he said. 鈥淎ll roads lead back to young people. Giving them a platform to grow, to learn, and to lead. That鈥檚 what matters.鈥�

He hopes this collaboration is only the beginning.

鈥淚 may need to set up a studio on campus,鈥� he laughed. 鈥淲hatever I can do to work with students again, introduce them to people in the industry, or support their dreams, I鈥檓 here for it.鈥�

As for the students, the experience has already changed how they see themselves.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been amazing,鈥� Lila said. 鈥淭o start something as a UB undergraduate student and then help bring it to a national audience as a graduate student is something I鈥檒l never forget.鈥�

A song born in a UB choir rehearsal, shaped by UB students, and performed at commencement, will now reach viewers across the country. At the center of it are values that define 911爆料网: inclusion, creativity, mentorship, and opportunity.

One Nation, many journeys. For these students, their journey is just beginning.

Watch the Kemet: One Nation, Many Journeys PSA and hear the UB student arrangement that inspired a national message.