Arturo returns to Raider nation with a song in his heart

The celebration of the new field house and recreation center was also a homecoming of sorts for Arturo Andonaegui. The accomplished singer and a member of the Fryeburg Academy class of 1986 got an opportunity to return to Raider nation and see a number of familiar facesand he took center stage at the dedication, leading all in "God Bless America."Andonaegui, who is also a policeman in Chicago, has found memories of his time at the academy."I attended Fryeburg Academy for one year as a senior in 1985 and 1986 as a result of being awarded an academic scholarship from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago," he said. "Fryeburg Academy was more that just a cluster of buildings with a 200-year tradition, it was a place to be nurtured in academics, sports, and, in my case, music. My first private singing lesson took place at Fryeburg Academy as a member of the choir, with director Francis Fiske. This musical foundation prepared me for all my yearly singing engagements for charity benefits, world-class sporting events, formal ceremonies with the Chicago Police Department and civic presentations with our mayor, Richard Daley. Fryeburg Academy has impacted my life so much that, even to this day, I'm able to utilize skills cultivated as a high school senior."The true legacy of Fryeburg Academy for me, then and now, is to pursue excellence in everything we do," Andonaegui continued. "I'm grateful to my parents and Fryeburg Academy professors for instilling in me skills and habits for an abundant life of achievement and fulfillment."Andonaegui, according to his Web site, www.arturosings.com, is a singer whose "emotional style blends elements of jazz, gospel and romantic boleros." He was born and raised in Chicago, and his singing career began in grammar school when he joined the Holy Family Gospel Choir under the direction of Professor Samuel Parker. "The choir would debut and continually appear on channel 26 with Isabel Joseph Johnson's 'Rock of Ages' TV show," the site states. "During this period, Arturo began to study the records of his father's collection of singer that would serve as the foundation for his singing. Arturo's mentors were and continue to be Ella Fitzgerald, Carmon McRae, Nat King Cole, Freddy Cole, Joe Williams, Dinah Washington, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hartman, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra. Arturo attended Quigley South High School and graduated from Fryeburg Academy. While attending Rosary College, he served as a cantor for many religious celebrations and still remains active with the Chicago and Skokie Archdiocese."After graduation from Rosary College, Arturo moved to Mexico City to pursue a singing career, finding work with local jazz bands such as the Indias Orchestra under the direction of Inocente Diaz, guitar trios and recording demos for composers," it continues. "Arturo returned back home to Chicago and began working with pianist Ruth Allyn Anderson. Arturo is regularly invited to sing the national anthem for sports and charity events. Since college, Arturo always looks forward to singing Shubert's 'Ave Maria' for the Virgen De Guadeloupe masses on Dec. 12 of each year. When not having club dates in and around Chicago, Arturo participates in municipal and civic functions hosted by Mayor Daley's office of special events."