Brianna Kirkland Wins Friends of
Phil Scholarship
When Phil Antonucci passed away in August 2012 after a 13-year battle with cancer, the Blue Devil marching band lost its most ardent supporter. The 59-year old Emmy Award winning sound engineer and audio technician and longtime district parent was a proud and active fan of the Huntington School District’s performing arts program.
To help perpetuate the talented musician’s memory, Mr. Antonucci’s family developed the Friends of Phil Memorial Scholarship. “In creating this scholarship, my daughters and I want to continue Phil’s music legacy where he left off,” said Deirdre C. Antonucci, Phil’s widow.
The second annual Friends of Phil Memorial Scholarship was presented last month to Brianna Kirkland, a member of Huntington’s Class of 2014. The talented teenager is headed to Boston University in the fall to study French horn performance with highly regarded Eric Ruske. She plans to double major, taking classes in women’s studies as well.
Ms. Kirkland’s connection to the Blue Devil marching band is unbreakable. She was a mellophone section leader and brass captain and performed solos as a freshman and sophomore.
The teenager has played French horn since fourth grade and participated in the last two NYSSMA All State Conference symphonic bands. Ms. Kirkland also participated in the NYSCAME All-County Festival for the past two years and was a member of Huntington’s wind ensemble for five years, sitting in the first chair for four years.
Ms. Kirkland played in the pit orchestra at drama club productions for four years and was one of the seniors who accepted the Hunting-Tony Award at the John W. Engeman Theater this past spring for the pit orchestra’s performance in “Into the Woods,” Huntington High School’s 2014 musical.
“Follow your destiny and make your dream a reality,” Mrs. Antonucci told Ms. Kirkland as the teenager was presented with a $500 check. The teacher leaves Huntington High School with the affection and respect of her teachers and classmates.
The first Friends of Phil Scholarship was presented to Huntington Class of 2013 member Francesca Gray, who recently completed her freshman year at the University of Hartford where she is studying music education and performance. She was the Blue Devil marching band’s field major in 2012/13.
Mr. Antonucci received his first guitar when he was nine-years old. As an 11-year old he rocked the New York World’s Fair stage in 1964 with his first band. Three years later, his band played on “The Ted Mack Amateur Hour” television show on CBS.
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 earned an associate degree in performing arts at Nassau Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in music at C.W. Post College, participating in the chamber chorale at both schools.
“The music department here at Huntington High School was very special to him,” Mrs. Antonucci said. “He couldn’t do enough to help the band program, whether it was helping with the audio for the front ensemble during the marching band’s competitive season or upgrading the sound system in this very room five years ago. He appreciated the dedication of the music teachers. He high-fived every kid in the band and color guard and made them feel confident in their art. Phil was genuine.”
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 senior who is majoring in music and Alexa, a Huntington High School Class of 2014 member who is headed to Nassau Community College, shared their father’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.”
“Phil devoted his life to music and entertainment and was involved in many bands over the years, playing with many notable local musicians,” Mrs. Antonucci said. “Although his resume was overflowing, his most cherished accomplishment was sharing his passion for music with our two daughters.”
Mr. Antonucci, who never wavered in his advocacy of the Huntington music program, served a term as president of the Huntington Band Parents Association. 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.
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. His Emmy Award was in recognition of his work as an audio mixer for Yankees baseball broadcasts. Mr. Antonucci’s 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’.