GENESEO — Beautiful voices, juggling, standup comedy, rap, instruments, smiles, and a whole lot of rhythm lit up an enormous tent over part of Center Street on Saturday in the Geneseo’s Got Talent Show, part of the fun at the third annual Autumnfest.
A-Capella groups Hips n’ Harmony, and Exit 8, along with solo singer Madison Scoville, were the top three acts out of ten that went on to compete for the grand prize of $500 in the final round. Their singing was judged by prominent members of the Geneseo community, including Mayor Richard Hatheway, Connie English, Patti Lavigne, Ray Suriani and Angela Savino.
“I thought it was a wonderful opportunity for those inclined to show off their talent,” said Mayor Hatheway. “The Geneseo Merchants Association did an outstanding job organizing this day and this program. I thought it went well, and it was fun to participate.”
Each judge rated the performances out of ten. Final scores landed Exit 8 in first place, with a score of 49 points and the $500 prize. In second place was Hips n’ Harmony, with 46 points, and Madison Scoville in third with 44 points.
Exit 8 opened with “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” by Stevie Wonder. This song put them straight through to the finals.
Many other acts graced the stage from near and far. Peter Clark-Deutche, 18, of Westchester, NY, brought an incredible standup routine to the table. Turns out that Clark-Deutche was already a practiced comedian before he started his first semester at SUNY Geneseo this year.
“I actually worked with another comedian, Scott Blakeman, who asked me to play the Comic Strip Live on the Upper East Side in New York City. I usually play a little place called the Purple Crayon in Hastings on Hudson, in Westchester County.”
Exit 8 blew the crowd away with their grand finale, arranged by their musical director Sam Weinstein, “Scarborough Fair/Canticle,” by Simon and Garfunkel.
“We were a soild ensemble,” said Jenna Cecchini, President of Exit 8, the winning group. “We work together well, and we feed off of each others energy.”
PHOTO CAPTION: Exit 8, the winning performers at the Geneseo’s Got Talent Show.