Francesca Gray Earns Friends of Phil Scholarship

When Phil Antonucci passed away in August 2012 after a 13-year battle with cancer, the Blue Devil marching band lost its biggest fan. The 59-year old Emmy Award winning sound engineer and audio technician and longtime district resident was a proud and active parent supporter of the Huntington School District’s performing arts program.

To help perpetuate the talented musician’s memory, Mr. Antonucci’s family launched the Friends of Phil Memorial Scholarship. “In creating this scholarship, my daughters and I want to continue Phil’s music legacy where he left off,” said Deirdre C. Antonucci, Phil’s widow.

The first Friends of Phil Scholarship was presented to Huntington Class of 2013 member Francesca Gray, who is headed to the University of Hartford to study music education and performance. She was the Blue Devil marching band’s field major in 2012/13.

“Francesca demonstrates not only a talent and passion for music, but also is a kind and generous spirit with a desire to help and inspire others through song,” Mrs. Antonucci said. “I’m thrilled to present the scholarship to someone who has shown that they can make beautiful music in many ways.”

This past year, Ms. Gray served as co-president of Huntington’s chapter of Tri-M, the national music honor society. She participated in the Spanish Honor Society’s social groups initiative, volunteered at Carillon nursing home, tutored fellow students and pursued various other activities around the high school and in the community. She was one of just 20 Long Island high school students to be named a LI Arts Alliance Scholar Artist for the 2012/13 school year.

“Follow your destiny and make your dream a reality,” Mrs. Antonucci told Ms. Gray as the teenager was presented with a $500 check. “Celebrate the joy that music has given you. You have music in your soul. Share your talent with the world.”

Mr. Antonucci received his first guitar when he was nine-years old. As an 11-year old he rocked the New York World’s Fair stage in 1964 with his first band. Three years later, his band played on “The Ted Mack Amateur Hour” television show on CBS.

As the guitarist and front man of Beginnings, the premier Chicago tribute band, Mr. Antonucci developed a devoted fan base, performing at major venues across Long Island and the country. He earned an associate degree in performing arts at Nassau Community College and a bachelor of arts in music at C.W. Post College, participating in the chamber chorale at both schools.

“The music department here at Huntington High School was very special to him,” Mrs. Antonucci said. “He couldn’t do enough to help the band program, whether it was helping with the audio for the front ensemble during the marching band’s competitive season or upgrading the sound system in this very room five years ago. He appreciated the dedication of the music teachers and Joan Fretz (former director of fine and performing arts.) He high-fived every kid in the band and color guard and made them feel confident in their art. Phil was genuine.”

Known for his musical genius and irascible wit, Mr. Antonucci attended St. Ignatius School before graduating from Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville. His daughters, Corina, a Queens College junior who is majoring in music and Alexa, a Huntington High School senior, shared their father’s love for music. He called his family “the most incredible gig I will ever have” and termed his wife as the “ultimate band leader.”

“Phil devoted his life to music and entertainment and was involved in many bands over the years, playing with many notable local musicians,” Mrs. Antonucci said at Huntington’s academic awards night in the high school auditorium. “Although he resume was overflowing, his most cherished accomplishment was sharing his passion for music with our two daughters.”

Mr. Antonucci, who never faltered in his advocacy of the Huntington music program, served a term as president of the Huntington Band Parents Association. As the public address announcer at the Blue Devil marching band’s annual home shows, his wit and wisdom became known across the metropolitan area.

Mr. Antonucci enjoyed a long association as an audio mixer for Cablevision (12 years), Fox Sports Net (22 years) and Madison Square Garden (24 years) and was still working for all three networks at the time of his passing. His Emmy Award was in recognition of his work as an audio mixer for Yankees baseball broadcasts. Mr. Antonucci’s wide variety of experience also included ten years of sound work for The Long Island Challenge, seven years with WPIX and even a stint with Bobby Flay’s ‘Chillin’ and Grillin’.