- Mill Valley School District
- "Mill Valley" Song 50th Anniversary Celebration
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Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the song "Mill Valley" by Rita Abrams & Strawberry Point 3rd Graders
"Talkin' 'bout Mill Valley, that's my home!"History of the Song
50 years ago, Rita Abrams, a former Kindergarten teacher at Strawberry Point Elementary School in the Mill Valley School District, released a song with a 3rd-grade class at the school called “Mill Valley.” We would like to invite you to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the song, which was played on the radio around the country and was featured on the Billboard Top 100 in the 1970s.
On July 4th, 1970, a music video was released, produced by Warner Bros. and directed by well-known filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola.
We would love to celebrate this milestone in person in our community, but considering our current pandemic, we want to celebrate virtually.How We're Celebrating
Zoom Call with Rita Abrams & Incoming 4th Grade Student Q&AThe Mill Valley School District engaged in a Zoom interview with Rita Abrams including a Q&A from rising 4th-grade students who learned about Mill Valley history this past school year, district music teachers Lori Adessa and Darren Smith, and maybe even some other special guests!
Video Celebrating the Song
Take a look at this video filled with submissions from members of our community both singing the song or sharing what makes Mill Valley a special place.
Sharing on Social Media
In addition to submitting a clip for the district video, you can just post a video on social media singing the song or sharing what makes Mill Valley a special place to be by using #MVThatsMyHome and please tag us in it! (@millvalleyschools on Instagram & Facebook, @mv_schools on Twitter)
"Mill Valley" Song Celebration Video Compilation
Zoom Meeting with Rita Abrams
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Song Links
The song's original music video, produced by Warner Bros. and directed by well-known filmmaker, Francis Ford Coppola.
Mill Valley Public Library Virtual Exhibit on the Song
Our local library created a virtual exhibit covering the history of this song.
Marin Community TV Rebroadcast of 45th Anniversary at Throckmorton TheatreMarin’s community TV station, Channel 26, will be rebroadcasting the show we did for our 45th Anniversary at the Throckmorton Theatre, in which some of the original singers appeared.
On Sunday, July 12th at 7 pm it will air locally on Comcast 26 and At&t 99 and will be available worldwide from their webstream.
2014 Park School Students & Rita Abrams Music VideoThis remake of the original song and music video premiered at the 5th-grade graduation at Park School in 2014. Directed by Tiffany Shlain and produced by Devon Rothwell.
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Quotes About The Song
- “Such a difficult time for all of us right now. I keep listening to this for peace of mind. I hope others find it as well.” - YouTube, June 2020
- “...I never knew what an impact it [Mill Valley song] made on me. Then in 1991, I was in a foxhole and running around the desert and when I was scared beyond my means and to my wit's end, I would close my eyes and part my mind and I would hear Mill Valley come into it. In a little bit I was again at peace…” - Gulf War Veteran
- “The way Miss Abrams and her Strawberry Point School 4th grade class sang about it, Mill Valley was paradise on earth - especially when so much of our earth, in 1970, was in chaos...But listening to this school teacher and her children rhapsodize about their home town, “where life feels very fine and free,” allowed listeners to escape, if only for a moment -- or three. That’s what the best pop music has always been about, and that’s what makes “Mill Valley,” both the tune and the town, timeless.” - Ben Fong-Torres, Rolling Stone
- “Everyone has a Mill Valley in their heart.” - Canadian DJ
- “Such a difficult time for all of us right now. I keep listening to this for peace of mind. I hope others find it as well.” - YouTube, June 2020