(Huntington, N.Y.) Heckscher Park came alive with the sound of music this past Saturday afternoon for Councilwoman Susan A. Berland’s Huntington Youth Council’s Battle of the Bands. Nine bands and singers from various high schools in the Town of Huntington performed their best two songs in hopes of winning the grand prize sponsored by Murphy’s Music and The Paramount.
The battle featured The B-Tones, an all-male a cappella group from Half Hollow Hills High School East; Stefanie Grafstein, a singer from Half Hollow Hills High School East; Young Sons, a rock band from Harborfields High School; Lisa Diasparra, a singer from Half Hollow Hills High School East; Handsom, a jazz band from Half Hollow Hills High School West; Choir Room Conundrum, a band from Harborfields High School; The Minors, an all-female a cappella group from Half Hollow Hills High School East; Roadhouse, a rock band from various schools in the Town of Huntington; and Annie Levine, a singer from Half Hollow Hills High School East.
Following the student battle, there was a special performance by the Nick Tangorra Band, comprised of event judges Nick Tangorra, Rafe Tangorra and Will Ahrens. Also judging the event was Krystin Ubertini, the Assistant Talent Booker for The Paramount.
The event was completely free, but the Youth Council raffled off prizes donated by local Huntington Village merchants including: Book Revue, The Crushed Olive, Play N Trade, Little Vincent’s Pizza, La Chic Salon, The John Khalil Collections, Vine & Roses, Pirouette, Aromatherapy, Bon Bon’s Chocolatier, Lion in the Sun, Green Cactus Mexican Grill and Rosa’s Pizza.
After the raffles were drawn, the winners of the Battle of the Bands were announced.
- The first place winner and recipient of a $75 gift card to Murphy’s Music and the opportunity to open for one of the nationally touring acts on The Paramount stage is Lisa Diasparra of Half Hollow Hills High School East.
- The second place winner and recipient of a $50 gift card to Murphy’s Music is Handsom of Harborfields High School.
- The third place winner and recipient of a $25 gift card is The B-Tones from Half Hollow Hills High School East.
“The Huntington Youth Council’s Battle of the Bands was a great way to wrap up a successful school year,” commented Councilwoman Berland. “There are so many talented young musicians in the Town of Huntington and this event was a great way to showcase some of their musical capabilities. I would like to thank our sponsors Murphy’s Music and The Paramount for their gracious donations to our winners. A special thank you also goes out to Nick Tangorra, Rafe Tangorra, Will Ahrens and Krystin Ubertini for judging. Without the help of John Chicherio and the Huntington Arts Council and all the staff at the Chapin Stage, this event would not have run as seamless as it did. Once again, I congratulate Lisa, Handsom and The B-Tones as well as all of the other bands and vocalists for their wonderful performances”
Please check our local Huntington TV channels – 18 on Cablevision and 37 on Verizon Fios – to see the telecast of the Youth Council’s Battle of the Bands.
The Huntington Youth Council was founded in 2003 by Councilwoman Berland and is comprised of students from every public high school in the Town of Huntington. They meet twice a month to discuss issues that affect the youth in our community and plan events that engage their peers in local issues. For more information on the Huntington Youth Council, please call Allison Jones in the office of the Town Council at 351-3018.
