Stars Shine at Medford’s Rising Star on Sunday
The following is an announcement from the organizers of Medford’s Rising Star:
Updated 10:22AM, Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Medford’s Rising Star Grand Finale was held on Sunday October 25 at Tufts University. The show opened with the 60-member Medford Community Chorus, who performed “Climb Every Mountain,” and the “Allelujah” Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah.” After the chorus performed, host Hank Morse, local celebrity from WROR, joined Medford’s Rising Star co-chairs Judy Lonergan and Mike Silvia, and Medford Mayor Michael J. McGlynn, who kicked off the contest.
The event, which raised over $6,000, brings the total the Jingle Bell Festival Committee has raised for Medford Community Family’s Alzheimer Daycare Center to over $200,000 since it began.
Trophies were presented to first, second and third place winners in each category. In addition to the trophy, each first place winner received a $100 prize. The talent was incredible and diverse, and the judges indicated it was extremely difficult selecting the winners in each category.
In the age 8-11 group, third place went to Frankie Capone, who performed a classical medley on the piano. 4-1-1, a group with a guitar player, bass player and lead singer (Madison King-Giannino) performed “Mad World,” and took second place. J.J. Jalal opened the contest with a lecture and performance on the Indian drums (tabla) and placed first.
The age 12-15 group was packed with talent with 10 of the 15 contestants receiving one or more top-five rankings from at least one of the four judges. Talia Andreotolla opened the group with a pitch-perfect rendition of “To Sir with Love,” Miranda Arena performed a graceful yet powerful modern dance, Ariana DiSisto owned the stage as she sang “The Climb,” Yavanni Headen showcased her remarkable vocal ability as she sang “Your Joy,” and the very talented Daniel Begin sang “Vida la Vida.”
In the end, there was a three-way tie for third place between drummer Nicholas Irvin, who brought the house down, Ruby Sands with her soulful rendition of “Fallin,” and Victoria DiPrizio, who tap danced to “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.” Jaime McGovern took second place for her dramatic and moving modern dance. First place went to Catherine Doyle, who wowed the crowd as she sang and dance to the song, “L.O.V.E.”
The adult category (age 16 and over) certainly had no shortage of talent. Fisherz Crew, a four-member hip-hop dance group commanded the stage with their physically demanding moves and choreography. Football hero, and drummer par excellence, Stevenson Clenord took third place for his astonishing performance on the drums. Kaleigh Bradley, the final performer of the evening, took second place for her powerful performance of a classic song, “At Last.” Taking first place in the adult category was local social worker vocal powerhouse, Sayida Farmer, who performed “I Have Nothing.”
Finalists and winners of Medford’s Rising Star will be featured at Medford’s Jingle Bell Festival, which will take place December 2-6 at Medford City Hall. See www.medfordrisingstar.org for more information about the Rising Star Program, or www.jinglebellfestival.org for more information about Medford’s Jingle Bell Festival.