Farmingdale Natives to Appear on NBC This Fall

Farmingdale natives and Andrea Lopez are making their television debuts this fall.

The residents are alumni members of The Deltones, a University of Delaware singing group that is one of 16 groups competing this September in season three of NBC's "The Sing-Off."

Carvo began taking piano and signing lessons at age eight until middle school, when she started performing in musicals at . At , Carvo continued to perform and she participated in every play until she graduated in 2005.

Lopez is 2007 FHS graduate who graduated in 2011 from the University of Delaware. She held lead roles in the Howitt musicals, and was selected to perform in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) as an 8th grader. She also performed at Nassau Coliseum singing both the National and Canadian Anthems for one of their hockey games and went on to represent FHS in NYSSMA's All-State Vocal Jazz Ensamble in Albany.

Five current Deltones were unable to make the venture to Hollywood, so the most active Alumnitones were asked to join them.

"We're so excited that a group like The Deltones is even considered for this," said Avi Amon, a 2008 UD graduate and Alumnitone. The Deltones was selected from hundreds of groups across the country that auditioned for the show.

She said the producers were most impressed with the tight bond between current Deltones and Alumnitones, as well as the group's rich vocals.

"They really liked our traditional coed sound and were totally enthralled by the power-house singers we have in the group," Amon said.

Having alumni who still return to UD to attend every Deltones concert, the producers of "The Sing-Off" said, was a special connection and brought a unique quality to the group.

For some of the Alumnitones, it had been three or four years since they last performed with the group, but Amon said they were thrilled to participate. "For the alumni who are singing, it's special to have this opportunity," she said.

The group includes 10 alumni: Avi Amon, Jessica Carvo, Lou Ortiz, Keith Abrahamson, Morgan Nichols, Cortney Penta, Andrea Lopez, Chloe English, Cassie Grossman and Jared Weintrab, as well as five current UD students: Andrea O'Neill, Erica Schetter, Alex Bliziotis, Alyssa Dinardo and Walter Pendelton.

"It all happened really quickly," said Andrea O'Neill, incoming president of The Deltones. "This was so exciting for some of our graduating seniors who thought this past spring would be their last time singing with The Deltones."

Founded in 1991 at UD as a registered student organization, The Deltones just celebrated its 20th anniversary this spring. Members of The Deltones arrange all of their own music and pride themselves on not only their musical talents but also their motto: "Friends first, singers second."

"For a group like us, we're happy being around campus and our alumni, so to be on national television is the most amazing thing in the world," Amon said.

This season of "The Sing-Off" premieres on NBC at 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 19. The Deltones will make its television debut in the second episode, airing Sept. 26. The winning group will receive $200,000 and a recording contract with Sony Music.

For updates, visit the group's website, fan page on Facebook or tweet them @ilovedeltones.

Editor's Note: This article has been corrected to include Andrea Lopez, a second FHS graduate who will be performing. Patch regrets the oversight.

Information provided by Meredith Chapman