Drew Menow and her friends didn't even try to contain their excitement.
"He's amazing. I love him so much," Drew, 12, squealed after getting a high-five and an autograph on her sneaker from the man of the hour.
The source of the girls' delirium wasn't a big pop star — not yet, anyway — but rather a humble, incredibly appreciative neighborhood guy who not so many years ago attended the same elementary school as they did in Lower Makefield.
These days, the country knows Matthew Schuler as a promising contender on NBC's singing competition "The Voice," the charismatic young man who won the admiration of all four celebrity judges and delivered a dynamic performance in last week's battle round, advancing to sing another day.
Schuler, a 2011 Pennsbury High School graduate, parlayed his sudden fame into a triumphant homecoming performance at his alma mater Friday night, treating an ecstatic crowd in the school's packed auditorium to nearly two hours of songs and stories while sharing the stage with three of his talented family members.
"This is crazy," Schuler, wearing a white shirt buttoned to the collar and dark jeans, said as he took the stage to shrieks and a standing ovation from the mostly youngish crowd. "Look at you guys. First off, I want to say thank you for being here ... I am so blessed to have you guys."
Schuler, 20, maintained his admiration for his audience the entire night, thanking them throughout the show and patiently signing autographs and posing for pictures in a crowded hallway after the event.
"My son is quite a guy," Donald Schuler, Matthew's father, said before the show. "The most important thing about him is he's interested in making people happy. We've talked all his life about music and about doing music that makes people happy. There's a lot of music that disturbs people, and then there's music that makes people feel very good.
"He's been surprised by the reception. 'For me? Why me?' I said, 'Matt, it's because you help so many people.' He has a habit of serenading the ladies; when I would come pick him up at school, so many people told me 'Matthew made my day.' He's touched hundreds, if not thousands of people."
Fans paid $10 a ticket to see Schuler up close Friday. Pennsbury sophomore Kirsten Binder and her two friends were the first of the announced crowd of 385 to arrive, lining up outside the auditorium about four hours before the scheduled 7 p.m. start.
"He's such an amazing singer," Binder said before the show. "After seeing him on 'The Voice,' I can't wait to see him live."
Six-year-old Taylor Spielberger of Yardley was among the youngest fans in the crowd who's been captivated by Schuler's voice and charisma.
"She likes to dance to him," said Taylor's mother, Dana. "She wore her prettiest dress for him. She hopes he notices."
Schuler performed a pair of duets with his younger sister Diamond, then delivered a couple of high-energy R&B/hip-hop tunes with older brother Donald Jr. (referred to as D.J. throughout the night). He also showcased his impressive vocal range while performing four of his original songs on acoustic guitar, accompanied by D.J. on percussion. His last song of the night, which he said he hopes will be a single if he ever signs a record contract, brought the crowd to its feet.
The biggest showstopper of the night, however, was probably performed by his mother, Dawn, who belted out a stirring rendition of "Lean On Me," by gospel singer Kirk Franklin as Matthew sat on stage and soaked it all in.
"Thanks, Mom, now I have to follow that," a clearly moved Schuler said. "Her voice ... I learned everything from her. Her voice is in the stratosphere."
The evening also featured plenty of light moments, including Matthew reminding D.J. of the time he duped him out of a valuable Pokemon card when they were kids, and the brothers bringing orthodontist James Riesenberger onstage to serve as their hype man (back-up rapper) during one of their songs. Dawn Schuler has worked for Riesenberger as an assistant for the last 13 years, so his presence onstage enhanced the family atmosphere of the evening, even if his awkward dance moves didn't add to the entertainment value.
"I always said to him if he made it big, to let me onstage," Riesenberger said. "He said I could be his hype man. I didn't even know what a hype man was.
"He's the kind of kid, he shows (his personality) onstage, but he's like that when you see him every day also. He's always upbeat, always telling you how he loves you. You always feel special when you're around him."
Schuler, whose media availability is monitored closely by NBC, did not grant interviews Friday, but his brother summed up what the experience of being onstage with his family in front of his hometown community felt like.
"We did this in my room every day," D.J. said of performing with his brother. "Regardless of whether it's Matthew onstage, or I'm onstage, this is who we are."
Schuler's next challenge on the "The Voice" is the knockout round, which NBC has announced will begin airing the week of Oct. 28.
But no matter how far he advances, he's clearly earned a fanbase for life in his home town.
Andy Vineberg can be reached at 215-949-4135 or avineberg@calkins.com. Twitter: ADVineberg
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