Boyz II Men takes it back to school

With the memories of alumni weekends still in the city air, the four-time Grammy-winning R&B group Boyz II Men had a homecoming celebration of their own Tuesday night, and more than 300 students from the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts were invited.

As part of SiriusXM's Up Close & Personal series, the trio held a private concert for a room filled with CAPA high schoolers and SiriusXM subscribers. The event was also a prelude to the release of the group's new album, Collide, which comes out Tuesday.

"It's a second go-round for kids to experience what their parents experienced," said LaShawnna Simon, 17, a visual-arts major. "It's pretty exciting, since this is where they came from."

Boyz II Men's Nathan Morris reminisced about how he and Marc Nelson (no longer a member) would sing New Edition songs in the back of world history class in between taking notes and studying. It wasn't long before they formed a group of their own, along with Shawn Stockman and Wanya Morris. More than 20 years and 11 albums later, the group chose to return to where it all began.

To the halls filled with nostalgia and memories of the annual Sentimental Journey talent competition, Christmas choir concerts, and, of course, lunchtime, when students would flex their creative muscles whether it be harmony or plié.

Nathan Morris says it was a school where "you never wanted to be absent and you never wanted to be late."

"In the neighborhood you think you're the greatest thing since sliced bread," he said. "You come to this school, and you realize there's a lot of talented bread."

In light of last week's CAPA student protests against the School Reform Commission's decision to cancel its labor contract with the teachers union, the group voiced its concerns.

"The deficits are enormous," said Nathan Morris, now 43, who still lives in Philadelphia. "You listen to what's being put out, and you realize no one is teaching them anything."

"Philadelphia is a musical city," said Stockman, 42. "It doesn't make sense to not have a school for the arts that cultivates up-and-coming young men and women to be the future musicians of the world."

Throughout the concert, the group answered questions from Sirius Heart & Soul host Cayman Kelly and offered industry, music, and life advice to the young artists.

But it was the music that captivated the crowd.

Boyz II Men performed their 1991 debut single, "Motown Philly," and hits "I'll Make Love to You" and "End of the Road" to a swaying audience. Stockman, with guitar in hand, welcomed up a beat boxer, and together they created an improvisational melody.

Students squealed and jumped out of their seats at the sound of 41-year-old Wanya Morris' elongated vocal runs.

"We have a connection," Stockman told the students. "We grew up in the same environment, and you're learning what we learned."

As students fanned themselves to songs recorded before they were born, many were pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoyed the concert.

"They actually involved us in the performance more than what I expected," said Cieria Nelson, 16, a dance major. "I love their new stuff; it was refreshing."

The Boyz also performed "Better Half" and "Losing Sleep" from their new album and, as the concert drew to a close, students sang the chorus of the new songs. The private concert will be broadcast on SiriusXM's Heart & Soul channel Tuesday at 5 p.m.

"Continue to absorb as much as you can," Stockman said. "For those of you who are going to this school, it's unlike anywhere else in the city. You want to take full advantage of it. Have fun and enjoy it.

"We're no different," he said. "We're just a little older with some gray hair."

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