Friday, January 2, 2015 | 3
Local News
NEWINGTON TOWN CRIER
Ithaca College’s a cappella group, Ithacappella, will perform at Newington High School Tuesday, Jan. 6.
NHS alumnus returns for a cappella performance By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER
NEWINGTON — A musician who got his start in Newington is returning to his hometown next week to perform at his former high school. Paul Tine is a 2011 graduate of Newington High School, where he will perform Tuesday, Jan. 6. He will be joined by 15 fellow members of Ithacappella, the allmale a cappella group he currently sings with at Ithaca College. Tine sees the upcoming performance as a way to give back to the community that helped foster his musical talents. “Now that I have the chance, I want to be able to give back to the program that’s really opened so many doors for me over the years,” he explained. Tine was involved in music all through school, since his early days singing in the choir at Elizabeth Greene Elementary. He took on the saxophone at Martin Kellogg, where he met now-re-
tired music teacher Cynthia DesRosier. Tine credits DesRosier with instilling in him a solid musical foundation. Her son was a member of L’Shir, the University of Hartford’s premier co-ed a cappella group. “I just knew then that someday I was going to be in an a cappella group and it was going to be really important to me,” Tine said. When he entered Newington High School, there were even more opportunities to hone his talents, such as musicals and marching band. “Mr. Clark has a phenomenal program,” said Tine, who has since performed at high schools across Connecticut and out of state. “I’ve seen a whole spectrum of programs…it’s awesome there’s such a support for the arts in this town,” he continued. “There’s a lot of flexibility for students to be involved in music, but also sports
and other activities. Newington really lets you do it all and have a great experience. I couldn’t be happier with what Newington offered me.” Tine is well-known among the school community, according to Ellen Gunn, choral vice president of the NHS Music Boosters. “He was a big part of Newington High, so we felt like it would be an inspiration for the kids to see the growth they could have moving forward on a college level,” Gunn said. Now a senior at Ithaca, Tine is studying music and politics. He is vice president of Ithacappella, which features members from all across the United States, including two fellow Connecticut-born students. “We have a great time on stage and touring with one another,” Tine said. “It’s like a brotherhood.” They’ve performed everywhere, from New Orleans, La.,
to Orlando, Fla. They’ll head to Montreal, Canada, later this year. Although he performs in several different capacities, Tine is primarily a pianist. After graduating, he plans to offer piano lessons locally and perform at private events. During summers through college, he served as music director of the Newington Children’s Theatre Company, where he hopes to potentially continue on a more regular basis. Tine will perform with Ithacappella on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Newington High School auditorium. For tickets, contact Ellen Gunn with the NHS Music Boosters, at pgunn809@hotmail.com or (860) 818-8313. Tickets will also be available at the door: $6 for students and seniors, $8 for adults. Erica Schmitt can be reached at (860) 225-4601, ext. 210, or eschmitt@newbritainherald.com.
Ithacappella singer.