Parish Talent Show - August 25, 2004
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On Sunday, August 22, 2004, a talent show was held at sacred Heart Church to benefit Carolyn's Place, a crisis pregnancy center in Waterbury. The show was organized by Sherry Langrock, a 2004 graduate of Pomperaug High School, and put on display an amazing range of local talent. Thanks to the efforts of all involved, and the generosity of our parishioners, this event was able to raise $1100 for Carolyn's Place.
"Each child is sent into this world by God
with a unique message to deliver, a new song to sing, a personal act of love to bestow" John Powell, S.J.
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Tickets, anyone? The good folks of the parish Respect Life Committee were on the job for several weekends making sure everyone knew about the show, and had an opportunity to purchase a ticket, or contribute a donation to Carolyn's Place.
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The church filled rapidly with an expectant crowd. Over 100 people were in attendance, and all were well rewarded by the many talented people who donated their time and talent to the event. This is part of those attending.
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Sherry Langrock was the producer, director and M.C. for the afternoon. Here Sherry gets things off by welcoming everyone, thanking them for their monitary donations, and introducing the first act. A very busy young lady.
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And the opening act was none other than Willie Nininger, playing the guitar and singing a couple of familiar songs, and one he wrote himself, and recorded with his father. Willie performs in clubs and concerts across Europe, New York and Connecticut. He has written songs for children's TV shows. He is a frequent performer in the local area, and a great way to start the afternoon.
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Following Mr. Nininiger, Erin Mallor took center stage with a flute recital, "Meditation" from Thais. Erin is a Southbury resident who enjoys sewing, gardening, Irish Dance and worshiping with the residents of the Southbury Training School during their Saturday services. She has won many academic awards, including the Principal's Honor Roll, the Crucible's Musical Honor Society, and the Air Force Youth Program's Advanced Space Academy Scholarship. And, we should also mention, she won the hearts of those attending with her talent.
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Another good Irish lad, Joe O'Leary, showed how an Irish Tennor should sound in his singing "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen". Joe obtained a Masters Degree in Counseling at the age of 65, after a successful career in International Transportation and Distribution. He served as a social worker with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. He has sung with the Scola Cantorum at Seaton Hall University, the 3M Chorus in Minnesota, and various other groups. He serves as a Eucharistic Minister and Reader here at Sacred Heart.
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Brandon Lahoud started things off for the younger set with his rendition of "Remember To Breath". Brandon is a junior at Pomperaug H.S., where he sings in the Chamber Choir. He has played the violin for 7 years, the piano for 5, and just recently started the guitar. A very talented young man.
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With the palm trees swaying in the background, Kennedy, Courtney and Nathan Gibson brought down the house with their version of "Pearly Shells". This talented young group ranges from preschool to 3rd grade. Obviously they enjoyed this outting, as did everyone in the church.
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Pat O'Leary has been singing since the age of 4. She has taken part in quartets, 3M Chorus, Tap Hatters, and numerous solo performances in Waterbury and Heritage Village. She, and her husband Joe (See above) are the proud parents of 7 children, 13 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. Pat sang "Like Someone In Love".
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Glen DiCostanzo used his jazz guitar to paint a musical picture of "Autumn Leaves". His favorite hobbies are composing and listening to music. He is used to singing with the Sacred Heart Choir, so this afternoon, we were able to hear the instrumental side.
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Jenny Langrock gave us "Stepsisters Lament". Jenny is a freshman at Pomperaug H.S., and has danced with the Main Street Ballet for over 10 years, performing solos in their annual Nutcracker, Coppelia, and Sleeping Beauty. She plays the French Horn, and is looking forward to playing volley ball and performing in drama productions at the H.S. this year. Whew!
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Karen Kauffman and April Daigle on the flute, with "Allegretto". Both ladies have been playing the flute for about 8 years, and their talent and enthusiasm was obvious. April will be a freshman at Union University in Jackson, TN, majoring in Chemistry (Chemistry...Yikes!!). Karen will enter Boston College this fall with the intention to major in History.
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Yes, folks, they were dancing in the aisles. No, really, they were. If you don't believe that anyone really does that, just look at this energetic pair. Dancing to the music of Rohan and Anita Shah.
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Here's Rohan and Anita belting out "Jump". And the joint was jumping for this number. Both attend St. Margrets McTernan School. Rohan has played the piano for 8 years, and Anita has been on the drums for 3 years. Nice talents.
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Time out for a couple of old standards. Nina Corcione and Janice Groele gave us "All Of Me", "Ma, He's Making Eyes At Me", and "Love". Nina Corcione began her singing career as a member of St. Ann's Choir in Queens, New York, her parish. Various fund raisers at St. Ann's led her to solos including singing standards with a community big band. She also was part of a trio that performed Cabaret style standards at cafes and restaurants. Nina formed St. Ann's Choral Outreach Group whose purpose is to communicate joy to others through music. The group travels to various nursing homes around the community.
Janice Groele danced and played piano at a young age. She loved to sing with her family around the piano. Her joy of singing was always with her. She developed her voice and sings with her company's chorale, performing solos at their concerts. She continues to sing at various church benefits, nursing homes and with a church choir. |
Time for a some good laughs. Joey Mitchell is a stand up comedian. He performed at the Seven Angels Theater in Waterbury and was on PBS television's Comedy Festival. He has appeared at a variety of local establishments including Carousel Gardens, the Lodge, City Hall and the Red Door. He is currently the MC at the Comedy Shows at the Southbury Hilton's Comedy Zone.
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Jennifer Hughes,a junior at Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury, gave us "Don't Rain On My Parade". She began singing and dancing at a very young age. She recently performed the role of Rose Alvarez in "Bye Bye Birdie" at her high school. She received a Halo Award from Seven Angels Theater for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance. She has been a featured soloist at Seven Angels for the past 7 years on their "Bright Lights" productions, was in the musical "Nuncrackers" and was a charter member of the Young Angel's Theater Group. Other leading roles include Annie in "Annie Jr." and Olive Oyl in "Popeye." Jenn is looking forward to starting as one of the new cantors at Sacred Heart Church.
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A hot trio of young parishioners let loose with "Oleo". Tim Smith studies classical piano at the Renaissance Music Center and is currently on their piano faculty. He also studies jazz piano. Tim played for the original musical production of "Simple Pleasures" at Heritage Village. He has served as Musical Director for the Main Street Theater Company in their productions of "Snoopy!!! The Musical" and "Bye Bye Birdie." Tim also plays the French horn and has performed with the Danbury Community Orchestra. Tim has also been a member of the Regional and All- State Band as well as the Regional Jazz Band and Pit Band for PHS's production of "Guys and Dolls." Tim will be attending Susquehamia University in the fall and hopes to be a Music Director in the future. 
Josh Meade has been playing the trumpet for eight years and has been studying privately for five years. He has played with the Pomperaug High School Jazz Band all during high school and was elected Jazz Band President in his senior year. Josh was a member of the Symphonic Band and was selected to play in the Pit Band for the high school's production of "Guys and Dolls." Josh was selected to play in the Southern Connecticut Regional Band and the Southern Connecticut Regional Jazz Band. He plans on attending Western Connecticut State University in the fall and pursuing a Bachelor in Jazz Performance and later hopes to earn a Masters in Music Education.
Will Kopcha is a recent graduate of Pomperaug High School where he was in the Jazz Band and Symphonic Band. He was a member of Tri-M, a musical honor society. He plays the trumpet and bass guitar. He will be attending The University of Connecticut Honors Program in the Fall. |
A familiar face in the cantors position, Lyn Nagel is a senior at The Hartt School where she is a Musical Theatre Major. She gave a wonderful rendition of "When I Look At You".She is a member of the Actor's Equity Association and the Screen Actors' Guild and has been performing professionally since she was 9 years old. She was in the Broadway musical, "Carousel," a regional theater production of''Evita" as well as many community theatre productions including the role of Maria in "Westside Story" and Mary Lennox in "The Secret Garden." She performed in the film, "Joe the King" and on the television shows, "Ed" and "Guiding Light." Lyn's voice can also be heard on many radio commercials. She is currently involved in two new musicals called "Austin's Bridge" and an adaptation of "The Count of Monte Cristo." She also teaches and is a cantor for Sacred Heart Church.
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Sherry Langrock had a very busy time organizing and presenting the entire show. Producer, Director, and performer, she did it all, performing "Some Enchanted Evening". Sherry is a recent graduate of Pomperaug High School where she was a member of Chamber
Choir, Chorale, and Tri-M, a musical honor society. In her senior year, she formed a new organization promoting the respect for all life. Through education and distribution of materials, she provided alternatives to those students facing an unwanted pregnancy. Sherry has been singing since 7th grade and last year developed a musical program where she performs for area nursing homes and assisted living facilities. She has performed in various productions at Heritage Village, Seven Angels Theater, Warner Theater and PHS musicals. She sings for Sacred Heart Church for the Christmas Pageant, Faith Walks and various special services. In the Fall, Sherry will be attending Susquehanna University where she will pursue a degree in Music Education and hopes to teach music at the middle school level.
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Tim Smith provided the musical accompaniment for the entire afternoon. As you can see from the description above, he is a very talented, and dedicated young man.
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Helen Falcone and Joe Cavallo teamed up to give us "Rosalie.
Helen Falcone is a mezzo-soprano with a diverse musical background which includes piano, clarinet and guitar. As a Southbury resident, she has been musically very active in the area as a solo recitalist and has performed in musicals and as guest soloist for various choruses and churches. Helen has traveled to Italy where she had the opportunity to study and perform with a roster of internationally renowned musicians. Last year she was chosen as a semi-finalist in the Friedrich Schorr Memorial Performance Prize in Voice Competition. Her repertoire encompasses opera, art songs, oratorio and Broadway. Joe Cavallo had a career in Advertising Art and Design. He retired as VP Creative Director of BBDO Advertising Agency in New York. Joe took up singing as a hobby and mostly has been self taught. He has sung in local acting amateur groups. He sang in the "King and I" and "Guys and Dolls." When he moved to Heritage Village, he joined the Heritage Singer's Choral Group and sang in the "Hooray for Hollywood" production. |
And Helen and Lorraine Wollnik got together for a couple of old ones, "Make Believe" and a Gershwin medley. Lorraine Wollnick is a world class lyric soprano who has had an international career performing in opera, concert, operetta, oratorio, radio, and TV. Her performances at the New York State Opera Company and Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City include Violetta in "La Traviata" and Mimi in "La Boheme." After an auspicious debut at Weill Recital Hall in NYC, Lorraine toured the USA, Canada, Europe, South and Central America, Japan and Korea. She has appeared as soloist with the Norwalk, El Paso and Youngstown symphonies as well as in summer stock productions, supper clubs in NYC, and a soloist on cruise ships. She is most especially noted for her interpretive skills and warmth of commination which she has been generously sharing with local audiences for over a decade. She resides in Southbury where she teaches voice.
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What a wonderful afternoon. In the crowd was Ellen Cavallo, director of Carolyn's Place. Here Ellen is congratulating some of the performers on a job well done, and thanking everyone for their support.
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