Blue Devil Band's Biggest Fan
Passes Away
An extraordinary musician in his own right, Phil Antonucci just might have been the Blue Devil marching band's biggest fan. The Emmy Award winning sound engineer and audio technician and longtime district resident passed away last week after a 13 year battle with cancer. He was 59.
"Phil Antonucci was such a gregarious, talented and giving person who made a difference in the lives of anyone who knew him," said Joan R. Fretz, district director of fine and performing arts. "I think of him today as an unsung hero, because he was so humble about his talents and accomplishments. He never spoke about what he did, just what he wanted to do for you or for the kids. Phil loved our music program, especially the band. He was at every event, working with the roadies, driving a golf cart onto the field with such pride on his face, and serving as our announcer at the home shows."
An audio mixer and department head at various television networks, Mr. Antonucci mixed sound for over 2,200 live shows including the New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and New Jersey Nets for Sports Channel/Fox Sports New York and the New York Mets and New York Yankees for WB11. He also mixed sound for the YES Network and various entertainment shows including Late Night with David Letterman, Live from the Play by Play with Mike Francessa and a litany of shows on Madison Square Garden Network, SNY and the FUSE Network.
"I had the privilege of working with him as he installed our new sound system in the auditorium, which he did for a fraction of the cost other vendors had bid," Ms. Fretz said. "He was so proud of that project. I enjoyed watching him perform with his band, Beginnings and came to appreciate what a talented, passionate musician he was."
Poked Fun at Himself
Mr. Antonucci was one of those people who could poke fun at himself. His professional website included a poem on the biographical page:
| "There once was a boy with no cares who thought life could be lived on a dare so he made it thus far with the help of guitars now he's left with a gut and no hair." |
Born on roasting hot June 21, 1953 to parents Angela and Mario, Mr. Antonucci grew up in Hicksville in a neighborhood "filled with Irishmen, and of course I was the only Italian," he jokingly wrote on his website. It was into that same neighborhood that a young Bob Garraputo moved, forging a tight friendship with Mr. Antonucci that continued for the rest of his life. Mr. Garraputo works as a security guard at Huntington High School.
Mr. Antonucci was relentless in his support of Huntington's music program. "Phil Antonucci loved the Blue Devil marching band," said Brian Stellato, a Huntington High School music teacher and co-director of the marching band. "He loved the program and every kid in the program. He brought a great sense of humor and light-hearted approach to the announcer job at our home show competitions. He always had the crowd laughing."
"I had many long talks with Phil about the band program," Ms. Fretz said. "He was our biggest fan and really appreciated what the program did for kids. Sometimes he got frustrated when things were not going well and he was not shy about telling me about his concerns. However, he never tried to tell us what to do."
Known for his musical genius and irascible wit, Mr. Antonucci attended St. Ignatius School before graduating from Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville. His daughters, Corina, a Queens College sophomore who is majoring in music and Alexa, a Huntington High School junior, have developed Mr. Antonucci's love for music. He called his family "the most incredible gig I will ever have" and termed his wife as the "ultimate band leader."
Music Took Hold
Music took hold of Mr. Antonucci's life at an early age. "I always wanted to play the organ," he wrote on his website. "After seeing this guy come out of the wall at Radio City Music Hall, playing this huge beast with multi keyboards, I knew it was for me. Until I heard The Beatles, then I knew that was really for me! My aunt Connie jumped the gun, before I brought home the appropriate report card, and purchased a $16.99 guitar from TSS on Hempstead Turnpike. I was off and running. This thing was awesome. I had no idea what I was doing, but it wasn't long before it became my best friend. God, I loved her for that! The guitar became my social ticket to the world. Besides living with it and learning every Beatle song ever written, and excelling quickly, I became an instant success with all my buddies."
As the guitarist and front man of Beginnings, the premier Chicago tribute band, Mr. Antonucci developed a devoted fan base, performing at major venues across Long Island and the country. He couldn't even go out to dinner without being asked to perform. More than once while relaxing with his wife, he was summoned to the microphone by a band at Black and Blue Seafood Chophouse in Huntington village to work his magic with a guitar and sing one of Chicago's hit songs. He never disappointed his fans.
Mr. Antonucci earned an associate degree in performing arts at Nassau Community College and a bachelor of arts in music at C.W. Post College, participating in the chamber chorale at both schools.
Highpoint Studio President
As president of Highpoint Studio, a company he founded in January 1985, Mr. Antonucci built a devoted customer base, booking bands and operating a Pro Tools and Final Cut Pro HD studio that worked with many "name" performers.
Mr. Antonucci enjoyed a long association as an audio mixer for Cablevision (12 years), Fox Sports Net (22 years) and Madison Square Garden (24 years) and was still working for all three networks at the time of his passing.
"Phil Antonucci was a devoted husband, loving father, active member of the Huntington community, a dedicated band parent and a dear friend," said Jason Giachetti, a Huntington High School music teacher and co-director of the Blue Devil marching band. "Phil exemplified what being a band parent was all about. His passion for the program and its members was second to none. His commitment to our program was unparalleled. His love for our students and the work they do will be felt forever. Phil is an inspiration to us all and his loss will be felt by many for years to come."
Mr. Antonucci, who was steadfast in his advocacy of the Huntington music program, served a term as president of the Huntington Band Parents Assn., a group that his wife, Dee now serves as co-president. As the public address announcer at the Blue Devil marching band's annual home shows, his wit and wisdom became known across the metropolitan area.
"Phil Antonucci was a caring father and husband and a loyal friend," said Frank Battista, a music teacher and band director at J. Taylor Finley Middle School. "He was the kind of person you could always count on to be the life of the party wherever he was and whomever he was with. He loved to laugh and everyone loved laughing along with him. He was a humble musician despite having a talent and passion for his art that was envied by all. When it came to the Huntington marching band, Phil could always be counted on to help in any way he could. His expertise with sound equipment was invaluable to the front ensemble of the band. Phil and his wife Dee have selflessly given of their time and talents by fundraising and organizing activities for the Huntington band."
An Emmy Award
Mr. Antonucci's Emmy Award was in recognition of his work as an audio mixer for Yankees baseball broadcasts. His wide variety of experience also included ten years of sound work for The Long Island Challenge, seven years with WPIX and even a stint with Bobby Flay's 'Chillin' and Grillin'.
Despite all of his fame as a performer and audio technician, Mr. Antonucci's heart was firmly attached to the Huntington music program. "Each and every band kid was a star in Phil's eyes and his encouragement and positivity made him popular among staff, students and parents alike," Mr. Battista said. "Phil will truly be missed by many. He was one of a kind and will not soon be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Dee and daughters Corina and Alexa at this very difficult time. The Huntington community will be there for them in every way we can."
Long Island musicians will come together for a benefit concert for Mr. Antonucci's family on Wednesday, September 12 at 7 p.m. at the Huntington Elks Club on East Main Street. Tickets priced at $20 will be available at the door. The event will feature the rock, funk and horns of Uppercut, Mike DelGuidice and Big Shot performing the music of Billy Joel plus feature selections from Journey, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and many more, plus Friends of Mike Cummings, The Jim Pin Band (featuring members of The Funk Filharmonik) and other special guests throughout the evening.
A 13 Year Battle
Mr. Antonucci quietly battled prostate cancer for 13 years before having to fight against lymphoma, too. Yet, he was always ready to lend a hand when the Huntington band program needed him.
"I have a picture in my head of Phil sitting on a band golf cart, parked on the side of the building while the band was practicing in the parking lot on a Saturday afternoon," Ms. Fretz recalled. "This was one of the years that we were struggling with the program and trying to make some changes during a tough season. I can see him smiling as he greeted me, saying, 'You know how much I love this band, Joan. We gotta make this show better for the kids. You gotta do something!' Such encounters were always followed by a big hug as he added, 'You know I love you. I'm just frustrated. Let me know what you need me to help you with.' And off he would go to help out in any way he could."
As the Blue Devil marching band begins its competitive season, Mr. Antonucci's absence will clearly be felt. "I've come to realize that special people like Phil have a tremendous influence on those lucky enough to have known them," Ms. Fretz said. "He touched the hearts of all of us and we will work hard to realize his dreams this year. The band will be wearing a ribbon on their uniforms this season, in honor of Phil. I wish he could be here on that golf cart, enjoying the rehearsal, as we just finished the most successful band camp we've ever had. I know we'll be meeting Phil's expectations this year. It will be really hard not to have him on the field with us, but I believe he'll be watching us and cheering us on."
The manner in which Mr. Antonucci signed off on his website biographical page showed just how comfortable he was in his own skin: "To all my friends and family, without you I'd be nothing but a JOKE."