This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

Lynnfield Idol semi-finalists perform; finalists chosen

Lynnfield Idol, a town-wide singing contest, based on the popular TV show "American Idol," held a semi-finals round at Lynnfield High School Monday evening.

Twenty-three Lynnfield residents performed at the semi-finals, and nine advanced to the finals, in this week's Lynnfield Idol competition.

Jill Howe Purisky, co-president of the Lynnfield Chorus Parents Association, an organization that supports the LHS choral arts department through volunteering and fundraising, said Lynnfield Idol is a choral arts fundraiser, based on the popular Fox TV singing competition.

"Our first Idol was a member of the LHS class of 2007. The first year we only had one senior division. In 2009, we added the junior division. Junior division winner, Katy Morelli, is a senior competitor this year," said Purisky.

Find out what's happening in Lynnfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to Purisky, there were eight contestants in the Junior Division, 11 contestants in the Senior Division, and four contestans in this year's new Adult Division, which was added to reach a new age group. Three hours later, three middle school participants, five LHS students and two adults made it to the finals round; the next Idol will be crowned Tuesday, May 24, 7 p.m., at LHS.

Three of the adults also have a child in the competition, including Lori Prickett, who is in charge of publicity, and whose husband, Kevin, and son, Connor, participated. One family, the Sokolows, have an adult, a senior and a junior competing.

Find out what's happening in Lynnfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kevin Prickett sang his first number at his wedding, "Just the way you are" by Billy Joel, which was 23 years, 2 days ago (May 7, 1988) at the semi-finals Monday evening.

The April audition was Prickett's first time singing in public, and judges, collectively, said "Everybody has a dream" by Billy Joel was a little too aggressive. However, Tom Page, judge, whose 30- and 60-second music scores have been featured on Nike, Adidas, Budweiser, and Wells Fargo commercials, said, regarding Prickett, "You stayed on pitch, and that isn't the easiest thing to do. "

Purisky commented on why Idol is biannual: "We hold the competition every other year because it is a lot of work for the volunteers -- also, it keeps it fresh for a new crop of singers, and it is fun to see how much the younger singers have grown over the years."

And, that happened exactly with Prickett's son, Connor, who advanced to the next round in the high school division.

Page remembered him from 2009, and announced to the audience that he was impressed with Prickett's tremendous improvement.

"I'll be" by Edward McCain was the winning song.

Lynnfield Idol 2011 semi-finalists, and in some cases, finalists, are: Madeline Milne, Holly Bourdon (high school division, finalist), Kevin and Connor (high school division, finalist) Prickett, Stephanie Fortucci (middle school division, finalist), Paige McNamara (high school division, finalist), Linda Maglio (adult division, finalist), Annie Dillon, Abbi White, Chris Parker, Jeffrey Mellen (middle school division, finalist), Cassandra Puglisi, Rich (adult division, finalist), Amy, and Janna Sokolow, Katie Nevils (middle school division, finalist), Kat Maglio, Pete Foustoukos, Lily Keene, Ali O’Hare (high school division, finalist), Ashton Brady, Katy Morelli, and Alyssa Adario.

LHS senior Pete Foustoukos sang "Come back song" by Darius Rucker and believes his allergies were a factor in not winning the competition.

"I like Scottie, who also sings country, on American Idol, Foustoukos said, "I'm excited. I didn't expect to make it this far."

On the other hand, runner-up Chris Parker isn't affiliated with LHS, but sings with organizer Doug Hodgkins, LHS and Center Congregrational Church choral director, in the choir at Center Congregrational.

"Locally and nationally, Idol is phenomenal. It takes music and restores it to what it should be -- you don't have to be rich and famous to do it," Parker said, who sang "Goodnight my love, pleasant dreams" written by George Motola, and performed by Frankie Valli as well as Paul Anka, "There's so much talent in America, but not a lot of towns have this."

Judge Robert L. Rucinsi, music director and pianist, who has worked at the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, was captivated by Parker's performance and noticed he had impressive breath control.

Purisky's two children are involved in many LHS choral groups: Sara is a senior, graduating in June, and Kimberly is a sophomore. LCPA fundraising efforts support the choral arts, the high school musical, plus it gives at least one scholarship to a graduating senior each year. (Last year, it gave three $500 scholarships to LHS seniors, who were active in choral arts). Idol is their biggest fundraiser; however, there are also four coffeehouse fundrasiers -- musical entertainment in a relaxed atmosphere -- throughout the year. The final coffeehouse of the year will be in the high school cafeteria June 6.  

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?