Music Idol Returns to Huntington
Huntington's version of the popular television show American Idol is ready for its third edition with a field of 40 semi-finalists fine-tuning their performances.
The Huntington Idol semi-finals are slated for Friday, March 11 in the Huntington High School auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The competition will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $10 or can be purchased in advance during the school day from high school orchestra director Lisa Leonardi, who is coordinating the event. The public is welcome to attend.
Students from Huntington High School and J. Taylor Finley Middle School have been auditioning for a chance to become a Huntington Idol and win airtime on WBLI 106.1. The winners will also receive family passes to Atlantis Marine World and other gift certificates.
Advancing to the semi-final round were high school students Rebecca Deegan, Shira Moskowitz, Alexa Gorczycki, Brianne Bennett, Nicholas Freiman, John Ferraiolo, Kelsey Getz, Meghan Latini, Richard Gray, Leslie Stephen, Sarah Mosden, Mikah Feldman-Stein, Samar Nadi, Stephanie Shea, Joshua Stickell, Kristen Berner, Kristina Burgess, Tiana Thurmond, Anna Schiffmacher and Katherine Gerdes.
The ranks of Finley semi-finals include Bailey Riordan, Declan Byrne, Julia Zinn, James Vicari, Cassie Berwick, Olivia Liepa, Annalise Mozer, Hailey Giordano, Marissa Acton, Alexandra Caffrey, Kaitlin Dayton, Hannah Maiorello, Elizabeth Corrao, Cara Sorrentino, Hillary Hardardt, Brianne Neira, Ryan Sansiviero, Kaiya Idler, Alexandra Berwick and Valerie Guerrero.
WBLI will be on the scene at the competition. There will be plenty of giveaways for audience members. "It's going to be a fun evening," Huntington Superintendent John J. Finello said.
The competition will culminate at the finals on Friday, April 29 with the selection of a winner at both the high school and middle school levels. Proceeds from Huntington Idol will benefit orchestra student scholarships.
Last year's semi-final and championship rounds were very exciting. The high school division was won by Kristina Casale and Finley student Kristen Berner captured the middle school category. John Ferraiolo, a high school student, was named "best entertainer." Faculty performers included Nicole Parrett, Paul Esposito, Peter Crugnale and Veronica Escamilla, who brought down the house when she sang, "We Are The Champions."
Hundreds of fans attended last year's semi-final and final round shows. An even bigger crowd is expected this year. One of the highlights will be watching talented faculty members perform. "There will definitely be Huntington teachers singing at the finals," Ms. Leonardi said. "Come cheer for your favorite singer!"