Introduction
Long before they became two of the most celebrated voices in music history, Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond forged a remarkable bond during their time at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, New York. As classmates and choir members in the late 1950s, both were united by their passion for singing and dreams of a life on stage.
Even then, Streisand’s powerful vocals and Diamond’s budding gift for songwriting set them apart. While Barbra honed her extraordinary range—destined to carry her through pop, jazz, and Broadway—Neil was crafting melodies that would one day resonate in folk, rock, and pop circles worldwide. It was the school choir that provided the backdrop for their earliest musical collaboration, allowing them to share harmonies long before fame called their names.
Their partnership at Erasmus Hall was brief but meaningful. Streisand soon earned a place at Juilliard, launching her into stardom as an actress, singer, and producer. Diamond, meanwhile, embarked on his path as a solo artist and songwriter, penning classics like “Sweet Caroline” and “Cracklin’ Rosie.” Even as their careers diverged, the memory of those choir rehearsals remained a touching testament to their shared beginnings.
In the decades that followed, Streisand would win multiple Grammys, Oscars, and Emmys, while Diamond sold millions of records and cemented his place among music’s legends. Yet the simple story of two talented teenagers singing side by side in a Brooklyn high school choir adds a heartfelt chapter to their storied journeys.
It’s a reminder that every superstar starts somewhere—and sometimes, it’s right next to another future icon.