Annual Talent Show Provides University’s Main Outlet for Showcasing Musical Panthers

Out of 15 competing performers made solely out of Adelphi students, 11 were musicians at Cause to Achieve Leadership, Intelligence, Brotherhood, Excellence, and Respect's (C.A.L.I.B.E.R.) second annual talent show on November 21, 2009.

The event, which has become one of the main outlets for musicians of the university, raised $1,100 for the Breathe for Britt Foundation and rounded up over 200 people in attendance.

Musical performances included the talents of singers John Maddaloni, Daphney Pierre, Julia Kelsey, Corina Rodriguez, rapper Michael Fiore (Fio Baby), pianists/singers Rob Carroll, Richard Coraggio, and Steffi Pacson, and guitarists Jay-R Bacalan, John Peters, and student-made band “The Help.”

"I think it’s kind of disappointing that this show is one of the only venues for musicians to showcase their personal talents, but I’m glad that C.A.L.I.B.E.R. has offered them that opportunity and that students have been so receptive,” said Kerri Ann Souto, Vice President of C.A.L.I.B.E.R.

Other talents included Indian dancing, magic, comedy and slam poetry.

Performers were judged by Adelphi professors, Dr. Buttaro , Dr. Neil-Pastel, and Dr. Mirra, and were graded on a scale from one to ten on their presentation, clarity, creativity and ability. However, the top three winners were crowned due to the level of audience applause.

Rapper Michael Fiore (Fio Baby) took home the grand prize of a $500 Visa gift card, followed by magician Sal Pazzino in second, taking home $250, and Indian dancer Ritika Betala in third, taking home $100.

However, the night would not have been possible without the joint efforts of the C.A.L.I.B.E.R. e-board members, who began planning for the event as early as August.

C.A.L.I.B.E.R. is dedicated to the cause of community service and academic excellence. They have worked with many different organizations to help out those less fortunate and meet every Monday at 8 p.m. in the University Center, rooms 211 and 212.

John Peters shows off electric guitar talent.

Video credit to Melissa Chan

The Performing Arts Center's Events for December

“A Season of Joy”
The show is presented by The Adelphi Chorus, Director Michael Hume, Adrienne Borbely on the piano, Susan Jolles on the harp, and Katie Scheele on the oboe.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
8 p.m. in the Concert Hall
$15

“Amahl and the Night Visitors”
Presented by an all-student cast with help from the Adelphi Opera Theatre and Gian Carlo Menotti, this show depicts a story of the power of faith and the meaning of love.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
2 p.m. in the Concert Hall
$15

Adelphi Jazz Ensemble
Directed by Dave Lobenstein, the Jazz Ensemble will play from a mix of composers, including John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Charles Parker.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall
$5

The Adelphi Opera Workshop
Under the direction of Anneliese von Goerken, with Midori Howell on the piano, this show explores the world of opera and operetta.
7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall
$5

December Dance Workshop
In this workshop, Adelphi Dance students will debut their original works of the semester, yet to be seen on the stage.
Friday, December 4
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Concert Hall
$5

Chamber Music Workshop Concert
Directed by Georgia Newling, this show will present instrumental and vocal music from the Renaissance to the Modern era by Workshop in Chamber Music students.
Monday, December 7
7 p.m. in the Concert Hall
$5

“The Odyssey”
Directed by Kerry Prep, the original production of the epic story will be performed by the entire freshman class of actors.
Saturday, December 12
3 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Olmsted Theatre
$5

All tickets for these events can be purchased at the Box Office located on the main floor of the Performing Arts Center or online at aupac.adelphi.edu.

Two Fun Non-Major Music Courses for Spring Semester

For those musicians who are not music majors but would enjoy taking a class, these two courses offered in the Spring Semester of 2010 are fun and easy:

Rock N' Roll: A Social History (MUH 240)
Offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:50 p.m. to 5:05 p.m., Rock N' Roll: A Social History studies the rise of rock music, its infiltration of many aspects of contemporary society, and its effects on the creation of “serious” music. For three credits, students will learn from Professor Sole on how to listen actively to music and talk about it using appropriate musical history vocabulary. Students will be asked for the majority of the course to heavily listen to rock n' roll samples. "I'm mostly looking forward to learning about the background of rock n' roll classics," said Aaron Pollack, 21, a rock n' roll fanatic who is registered for the class in the Spring.

Basic Keyboard Skills (MUA 104)
Offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:25 a.m. to 10:40 a.m., Professor Newlin covers basic piano keyboard skills. Because this two-credit course is specifically for non-music majors, no prior musical knowledge is required. Students will be given the chance to learn how to play piano at a beginning stage.

Theatre Major Makes Biggest Singing Debut of College Career

Previously, theatre major John Maddaloni, 18, had only one outlet to release his singing and acting talents- Adelphi University’s Coffeehouse.

Presented by the Student Activities Board, Coffeehouse offers “Open Mic Nights,” in the Underground Café. However, because Coffeehouse is dominated by poetic and comedic performers and generates small crowds at a time, Maddaloni found Cause to Achieve Leadership, Intelligence, Brotherhood, Excellence, and Respect's (CALIBER) second annual talent show a better outlet.

The talent show, which took place on November 21, 2009, hosted over 200 audience members and out of 15 participating contestants, 11 were musicians.

Maddaloni, a freshman from Albany, New York made his biggest singing debut that night, in front of his largest crowd so far, performing “So Close” by Jon Mclaughlin.

However, Maddaloni is preparing to top that record this December 12, with his grand performance in the Performing Art’s Center’s rendition of The Odyssey. Maddaloni will play seven roles including major roles of Menelaus, Demodocus, and Perimedes. Demodocus will be Maddaloni’s only singing role of the show.

The singer and actor of three years hopes to get into musical theatre after college.

“It gives me a chance to open up,” said Maddaloni on performing.

(Video clip to come!)

Photo courtesy of John Maddaloni

Freshman Becomes Adelphi Idol Winner and Midnight Madness Opener in Just One Semester

Although Steffi Pacson, 18, from Huntington, New York has not yet completed her first semester at Adelphi University, she has indeed packed enough experience under her belt in less than half a year.

The music major made her start this summer where she won second place during the freshman orientation’s talent show. As a singer and pianist of three years and recent composer, Pacson continued her on-campus musical career by winning Adelphi Idol, a singing contest hosted by the Athletics Department in October. With a total of three advancing rounds, contestants were asked to sing a 30-second song of their choice during half-time of field hockey, volleyball, and soccer games. Pacson was awarded the title of Adelphi Idol and was offered the opportunity to open for Midnight Madness, an annual event that kicks-off and celebrates the start of basketball season. On October 16, she performed the National Anthem and was given a standing ovation.

“It was thrilling. I fed off the energy from the crowed and enjoyed just being in the presence of a crowd,” said Pacson.

Although she is limited to playing classical piano as a music major, Pacson has begun branching off and creating her own pop-genre sounds.

“I’m very open to other genres. I think it helps you explore yourself and become a different musician,” said Pacson.

During Cause to Achieve Leadership, Intelligence, Brotherhood, Excellence, and Respect's (CALIBER) second annual talent show, although Pacson did not win, she was given the change to debut her own piano and lyrical composition, an original piece called “Should Have.”

Just beginning her college career as a freshman, Pacson plans on continuing her musical field with singing, song-writing, and performing, although she does not yet know which specific musical path she wants to take.

“I’m here to learn and I’m learning a lot. I plan on singing and performing in the future, as long as I get to do what I love,” said Pacson.


(Video clip to come!)


Photo courtesy of Steffi Pacson

Honor Student Finds Peace In Playing Piano

By commuting over an hour to Adelphi, five days a week, and practicing the art of piano for almost a decade, 19-year-old sophomore Katie Correa proves her sound dedication to schoolwork as well as music.

The pianist/songwriter/composer from Lake Grove, New York began training with basic and classical piano and soon moved up the ladder to jazz piano, in which she finds her passion next to songwriting and composing.

Starting at age 11, Correa began writing piano compositions and has already written ten original pieces so far.

“It’s just like [English] writing,” said Correa, an English major and Secondary Education minor. “Once you learn the vocabulary and the alphabet, you can do anything with language. That’s how I write music. Chords and words are the same,” said Correa, who also believes songwriting has a lot to do with experimentation.

As for her musical career at Adelphi, Correa has performed an original piano composition, “On My Way,” at Cause to Achieve Leadership, Intelligence, Brotherhood, Excellence, and Respect’s (CALIBER) talent show last November. Although the performance did not yield a winning prize, Correa was not discouraged and further agreed to play at CALIBER’s end of the year celebration in April at the “Black and White Affair.” For the duration of the evening, Correa played an original piece, “April’s End,” while guests enjoyed their formal dinner.

“You get to be part of the scene,” said Correa, unsurprisingly since her dream job is to record music, specifically soundtracks for romantic or historical fiction movies.

“Playing piano is expressive and relaxing. It doesn’t bombard you. It’s smooth,” said Correa, who decided not to major in music due to its rigid nature and intense training.

“I’d rather be more free with [music]. It can become so technical. I’d rather just be a rookie with it,” said Correa.

At Adelphi, Correa is the President of the Newman Club (Campus Catholic Ministry), a writer of the school newspaper, the Delphian, and an editor of the Honor’s College annual publication, The Symposium. On her spare time, Correa also gives weekly piano lessons to three 10-year-old students in her neighborhood and has done so for almost three years now. Next to teaching and playing piano, she enjoys reading, and writing creatively.

Photo courtesy of Katie Correa

Talent Winner Shares Passion for Music and Theatre

Almost a year ago, 19-year-old sophomore, Armand Lane, from Tottenville, Staten Island confidently looked straight into the audience, lightly brushed the ivory piano keys with his steady hands, and jump-started his Adelphi musical career. “Slow down, you crazy child. You're so ambitious for a juvenile…" He sang. The crowd silenced. The Piano Man had arrived.

Lane, the singer/songwriter/pianist was awarded first-place that November night and won the grand prize total of $500 at the close of Cause to Achieve Leadership, Intelligence, Brotherhood, Excellence, and Respect’s (C.A.L.I.B.E.R) talent show. Competing amongst 20 other contestants and celebrating his first award ever, Lane triumphed over even those whose talent earned them features on television.

Although Lane, a determined theatre major, has never had any professional vocal training, his strong, booming voice was praised along with the original untitled piece he debuted after his first song, "Vienna," by Billy Joel. The composition took him months to write and was finally completed the night before the show. Its upbeat tempo and positive message about self-discovery did much to land Lane a spot in the top-three winners' circle where the audience's applause crowned him the victor.

Sporting a light blue polo and dark blue Yankee sneakers, the 5-foot-8-inch Waldo Hall resident explains that his on-stage confidence comes from experience in high school productions, past talent shows and small coffee shop gigs.

A pianist since he was five and singer and songwriter since he was 13, Lane is a Billy Joel and Yankees fanatic (if you couldn't tell by his sneakers), who enjoys politics and hanging out with friends. However, singing, songwriting, playing the piano, and even acting play large roles in Lane's life.

Since his first big win last autumn, Lane has found himself immersed in spotlight in Adelphi’s Performing Arts Center with large roles in Hamlet, Street Scene, Broadway Connections, and many others.

"I'll take it as far as it may, but I have no way of knowing where it will go," says Lane as he contemplates the future of his budding musical career. "Just to enjoy it is what it's all about," said Lane after explaining that he does not plan, for now, on taking professional vocal training lessons or pursuing his talent in a high-scaled fashion.

Photo courtesy of Armand Lane