All together now: Gargiula family hits high notes

When it comes to music appreciation, talent and performance, Rich and Jude-Ann Gargiula of Glenmont, along with their sons Louis and Anthony, have a common goal: success.

That could be on a concert stage or a church altar. In 2006, for example, the family started a contemporary music group at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Delmar. 

"We hoped to be able to bring more families together in church by our music," Mrs. Gargiula said.

Harmony

The group consists of 16 members who sing once a month at the vigil Mass. Instrumentalists play the saxophone, flute and keyboard, as well as bass, electric and acoustic guitar.

In the two years that the group has been active, attendance at that Mass has increased.

"We enjoy praying through singing. We love what we do and want everyone there to have that same experience," Mrs. Gargiula said.

"We sing songs familiar to everyone, clap our hands, play upbeat music. Everyone participates."

Eighth notes

Both of the boys are performers. Louis, 11,  participates in school musicals as a singer and dancer. He also is the lead guitarist in a rock 'n' roll band, a member of the middle school band and a composer.

Anthony, 8, was the regional winner of the Radio Disney High School Musicals singing competition last year. He finished in first place on a regional level and second place nationally, beating 52 other child performers from the U.S. That won him guest appearances on NBC's "Today" show and the Ellen DeGeneres show.

Anthony, who began singing when he was two, has also performed at local venues, including Siena basketball games and the Valley Cats pregame concerts.

In tune

Mr. Gargiula, a fifth-grade teacher in the Albany Public School system, is a musician, singer and song-writer. He also works as a disc jockey, known professionally as "Mr. G."

Mrs. Gargiula is a former music teacher and a trained opera singer who has performed at Carnegie Hall and St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.

She plays the violin, piccolo, flute and piano, and holds a master's degree in special (music) education.

Coda

Both of the Gargiula boys have lofty dreams.

"I'd like to be in a movie with my brother or sing with him on an album someday," Louis said. "I want to be a successful song-writer when I grow up."

Anthony said, "I would love to be on Radio Disney some day and 'American Idol' when I'm 16 years old. That is eight years away for me. I want to be famous way before that."

(To hear for yourself, visit his website at www.singeranthonyg.com.)

(02/21/08) [[In-content Ad]]