Corina Antonucci's Life is Music
You can almost hear music when Corina Antonucci passes by. The Huntington High School senior is so associated with music that it permeates her very being. Maybe it's in her blood? Her dad is an accomplished singer and guitar player in a Chicago tribute band.
"A five letter word can sum up my life and my experience at Huntington High School and it is 'music,'" Ms. Antonucci said. "My musical journey began in fourth grade when I learned to play clarinet. It was a year later when I was approached by my music teacher, Mrs. Montgomery and asked to switch instruments to the oboe. I was apprehensive to do so because I did not want to become the only oboe player in my grade. I actually enjoyed being the lone oboist!"
The talented teenager is headed to City University of New York at Queens College where she will study music education in the Aaron Copland School of Music.
Ms. Antonucci's musical support system in Huntington has included teachers Jason Giachetti, Brian Stellato and Frank Battista. She said she can't "thank them enough" adding that the trio "has all made my four years with the band such a remarkable experience. If it wasn't for their passion in music and believing in me and pushing me to my limit, I would not have strived for the goals I set for myself."
Music a Constant Factor
Music is such a big part of Ms. Antonucci's life that it's impossible to know who she is without understanding that facet of her daily existence. "Music is a constant factor in my home life," she said. "My father plays the guitar and sings in a Chicago tribute band. He taught me my first song on the guitar: 'Here Comes The Sun.' I have great memories jamming in my garage with my friends and cousins and playing around in my dad's recording studio with my sister. My mom is very supportive of me." Her parents, Phil and Dee are two of the biggest Blue Devil marching band supporters.
The Class of 2011 member played in the Blue Devil marching band's "pit," as the front ensemble is known. "As a section leader, the personal interaction I had with my section was important to me," Ms. Antonucci said. "I received the tools to help my teaching skills, which will give me a great head start in my career. I took great pleasure in nurturing the incoming eighth graders and freshmen. The one-on-one experience I had, pushing and motivating them to play to the best of their ability, as my music directors did with me, will be a lasting impression I will hold onto for a very long time as it will help me in my life's path."
Band Room Second Home
Huntington High School's band room became Ms. Antonucci's second home over the past four years. "I spent many lunch periods practicing and hanging out with my fellow band mates," she said.
Her list of accomplishments is quite impressive and includes marching band front ensemble section leader, participation in New York State School Music Assn. solos since fifth grade, performing in the Suffolk County Music Educators' Assn. concert in seventh grade and playing in the wind ensemble all through middle school and high school. Ms. Antonucci has played in the pit orchestra for the high school musical productions, is a member of the Tri-M music honor society and she performed with the symphonic orchestra. She has also been a summer camp counselor in the OOMPAH summer arts enrichment program.
This past year, Ms. Antonucci served as the band president. She's also challenged herself academically in Mr. Giachetti's tough AP Music Theory class. The senior isn't afraid of hard work, that's for sure.
Plenty of Highlights
There have been plenty of highlights in the senior's life over the past four years of high school. "The first was the Disney trip with the band during my sophomore year," Ms. Antonucci said. "You would think the exploration of the parks and being independent would be the highlight! Actually it was marching with my band down Main Street, USA being the most incredible scene planted in my memory. Seeing all those people from all over the world along the parade route was over the top! Marching in my hometown on Main Street was a wonderful feeling. I experienced marching in my last parade on Memorial Day. There is a proud feeling I get when the community, young and old, gives us a standing ovation, applauding as we pass."
Another favorite memory is Huntington's championship competition in the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. "It unfortunately signaled the end of the competitive season," Ms. Antonucci said. "Most of my friends are in the band and I am happy to spend 3 long months with them."
The senior is very well regarded by her classmates and teachers who admire and respect Ms. Antonucci. She is the recipient of a scholarship from the Suffolk chapter of the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education.
In addition to her accomplishments in the music arena, Ms. Antonucci was the senior MVP on the Blue Devil softball team this spring. She played a variety of positions, including catcher, shortstop and outfield. The teenager said she "admires" head coach John Walsh for working the team hard to reach its potential.
Besides the music teachers she has grown close to Ms. Antonucci singled out high school philosophy teacher Peter Crugnale as a favorite "for opening my eyes." She cited retiring math teacher extraordinaire Doris Quintilian as "the nicest teacher I ever had." Project Adventure, a physical education course, has been particularly enjoyable "for teaching us to work together and have trust and confidence in others," Ms. Antonucci said.
Special Place Reserved in Heart
The Blue Devil marching band will always have a special place reserved for it in Ms. Antonucci's heart. "We are unstoppable, 76 years strong," she said. "I'm so proud to be a part of the tradition. Budget cuts will not stop us!"
What's her advice to incoming freshmen? "Cherish these four years of high school because time flies when you're having fun," Ms. Antonucci said.
Huntington just might be seeing more of Ms. Antonucci is the not too distant future. "I may be back one day as a teacher, mentor or even a band parent. On June 24, 2011, I will officially become a proud alumnus of the Huntington Blue Devil band. I will then depart Huntington to follow my life's journey, bringing with me the knowledge I have learned these past four years."
Graduating and preparing to leave the comfort of a place she has called home for the past four years is tough. "This is a bittersweet feeling," Ms. Antonucci said. "On one hand, I can't wait to branch out and explore and on the other I will miss my friends. New York City will be a huge playground right in my backyard! The best part is I will be living close enough for my family to see my concerts."