On Tuesday, Apr. 14, 2026, Newport’s Elite Choir, Innovation, sang at their annual Innovation Idol concert at the High school. At 7 pm, the concert began with solos and duets.
The first student to sing was freshman Abby Erney. Erney sang “Love You Like a Love Song” by Selena Gomez. The brief three-minute performance was met with strikingly loud applause from the audience after her singing.
Next up was sophomore Paityn Warner. Warner sang “Vienna” by Billy Joel. With her rendition of Joel’s popular song, people in the audience even mouthed the words with her, reminiscing about the feeling of hearing the song for the first time.
Freshman Juliana Harner and Gi Ramos sang next, performing “For the First Time in Forever” from the movie Frozen. Both children and adults who watched Frozen many times before knew the lyrics as well as the two performers, Harner and Ramos, which made them sing along.
Freshman Abbey Aros sang “Sidelines” by Phoebe Bridgers right after. This performance marked Aros’ first solo at an event hosted by the Newport Choral Department. Although it was Aros’ first solo performance, she pushed through and sang Bridgers’ “Sidelines” like a lullaby to the crowd.
Junior Calleigh Barlup went after Aros, singing “Let Me Be Your Star” from Smash. Barlup’s unique execution of the song rewarded her with tremendous applause from the audience.
After Barlup, junior James Heisey sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis. With Heisey’s rich tone and song choice, older audiences fell in love with the way the song was portrayed.
Senior Sophia Griffin was up next, where she performed “Speechless” by Naomi Scott. Griffin’s portrayal of a woman fed up with social standards cleared the stage. Although the performance was cut short, Griffin made sure each person remembered her performance.
Returning junior, Calleigh Barlup, and freshman, Madi Bailor, sang “Marry the Man Today” from Guys and Dolls. Barlup and Bailor’s paired voices shook the crowd with astonishment. Harmonies, polyphonies, and belts surrounded the auditorium throughout the piece.
Junior Garrett Jenney sang “Tired of Waiting” by The Kinks. Earning a couple of laughs from the audience before his song, Jenney breezed through his song with ease. At the end, he even bowed after his performance, which caused a domino effect of laughter once more.
Seniors Hannah Mallonee and Taylor Barr performed the song, “When I Grow Up” from Matilda. Along with their last year of Innovation Idol, the two’s version of the sorrowful song quickly earned a couple of tears from the audience. Barr and Mallonee’s duet marked a valuable friendship for years to come.
Next, sophomore Hunter Erney sang “Mack the Knife” by Bobby Darren. H. Erney’s performance turned the show upside down, as a spotlight was on his every movement as he walked around and interacted with the audience during his song. After his choreographed performance, the audience erupted into cheers.
Again, senior Sophia Griffin returned with another senior, Jordin Briggs, to sing “For Good” from Wicked. With Griffin and Briggs’ final Innovation Idol as Newport students, the two made sure to leave an impression on everyone attending. At the end, the two held hands as they hit their final note, showcasing their friendship to the audience.
For a solo performance, freshman Madi Bailor returned to sing “She Used to Be Mine” from Waitress. Being a soprano, it was no shock that Bailor belted multiple notes in a higher range. Bailor’s performance creates a new standard for upcoming freshmen to beat.
For the conclusion of the solo and duet performances, senior Riley Babski and 8th grader David Stewart sang “One Last Time” from Hamilton. Babski’s final Innovation Idol, along with Stewart’s first, caused a performance for the ages. The two students’ rendition of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton involved choreography and props. Being the final solo and duet song, the two ended the section.
After all of the solo and duet performances, Innovation gathered on stage to sing three final songs altogether. They sang, “Modimo, arranged by Michael Barrett,” “Come and Go, arranged by Brandon A. Boyd,” which also featured a solo from junior Calleigh Barlup, and “Parting Glass, arranged by Sarah Quartel.” Sophomore Calleigh Barlup on her solo states, “I was honored to receive it and sang it to the fullest potential.” Innovation Idol marked the final performance for the group before they departed for New York to sing at the pristine and elite Carnegie Hall.
