It was the night before his graduation from Central Bucks East High School in 1996 and Michael Leach had an idea.

He rounded up eight of his friends from the men's choral ensemble - two juniors and six sophomores - and planned a late-night serenade below the window of a few female classmates.

Singing a cappella, they stunned the girls with their rendition of "In the Still of the Night" and "Longest Time," becoming so popular that the moonlit musical performances became regular gigs.

When the group was asked to perform at a wedding and later a graduation party, Leach knew his initial hunch was right.

Midnight Voices - as the guys had dubbed themselves - was something special. Soon, the group also was making appearances at various Peddler's Village festivals and was asked to sing at the Buckingham Township's 300th Anniversary Celebration in June 2000.

They packed the house with a concert at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Doylestown and sold almost all of 1,000 CDs they produced with their voices carrying, like some well-orchestrated symphony of sound, 14 songs from their high school choral repertoire.

Although Midnight Voices disbanded about two years ago, that CD is in high demand now - Leach is getting ready to press an additional 1,000 for sale locally - and the group has found itself in an unexpected spotlight.

They have Justin Guarini to thank for the opportunity.

Every week, the 23-year-old Central Bucks East graduate and Doylestown resident can be seen strutting his stuff on "American Idol," the Fox TV summer smash that has young would-be stars from across the country competing for a chance at a recording contract.

Guarini, favored in various informal polls and by miscellaneous publications across the country to capture the title, already has become a celebrity.

His now-famous mop of curls, effortless charm and on-stage charisma have made him so popular that in a quest to promote all things Justin, star-struck fans have discovered his involvement with Midnight Voices.

Now, their raves about Guarini on countless message boards and Web sites include enthusiastic accolades for the tracks on the CD, which showcases his voice. On some Web sites, those songs and others can be downloaded.

And so with such fervor surrounding the group, Leach, who lives in Furlong, decided to re-issue the CD.

"I'm glad if anything, more than surprised, that people are showing an interest in it," says Nick Cisik. "When we made that CD, we really put everything we had into it. We were at our best at that point, and our best is not something people can deny, so I'm glad they're hearing it."

Cisik, 22, recently graduated from New York University with a bachelor of fine arts degree in acting. He, along with Leach, Guarini, Adam Luebke, Cole Simcox, Paul Griffin, Brendan Mullen, Kevin Powell and Jayson Herbert, made up Midnight Voices.

"It started out as a fun thing," Cisik says, "definitely for recreation. And we loved it so much that we just kept going until it became something more serious. We all put our heart and soul into that group, and I have respect for every single member. I consider each one to be special."

Leach, who attended Westminster Choir College as a vocal major for three years and now works in sales, always knew Midnight Voices could have gone on to bigger things.

In 2000, the group placed second at the 16th annual Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival in Washington, D.C. With various members off at college, they hadn't sung together for three months before the festival and had only one night to rehearse and come up with choreography before traveling to Washington.

"We were all taught through our high school years by the same person," says Leach, referring to Scott Teschner, choir director at Central Bucks East. "We were all taught the right way, which is to respect the music and be true to it, to do what you do for the music and for the audience. That's why I'm not surprised that Justin is on 'American Idol.' "

As Guarini's best friend, Leach, 25, says the emerging star's family aside, he has always been his biggest supporter - as well as the ego which Guarini has been loath to display.

For years, the two sang duets in church. While in high school, they attended a vocal camp at Westminster College together and, after turning 21, were popular favorites on the local karaoke scene.

"The first night he was on," says Leach, "I talked to him and said, 'You're the one. You're going to win.' I'm his ego. I'm always finishing the story or adding the part that he forgets."

Cisik has no doubt that Guarini, whether he becomes America's next pop idol or not, will have a successful career in entertainment.

"I'm not surprised at all that he is where he is now," he says, "because when you listen to the man sing, you get chills down your back. His type of voice has so much power and it can really move you. It's one of a kind."

According to Leach, Guarini has more than just a voice. He naturally comes alive before an audience and has an innate confidence that keeps him humble, despite his awareness of his own talent. He also has that look, one that Leach is proud to have encouraged.

Guarini's trademark curls are actually the product of a summer spent "roughing it," working on a haunted hayride site in Upper Black Eddy.

"He was growing his hair out and showering every few days," says Leach. "My dad and his dad would always joke about getting the clippers. I said, 'Justin, do not get rid of it. It's a look. You want to do pop, you need a look.' "

Although the men of Midnight Voices all have undeniable vocal talent - all were involved in choir in college with Griffin serving as president of an a cappella group at Princeton University and Powell heading up a group at Richmond University in Virginia - there is little envy that Guarini is getting the larger share of recognition.

Leach knows he will be part of Justin's career, whether behind the scenes or in some greater capacity.

"I enjoy the spotlight to a point," he says, "but I can take great pride and happiness in his success. I've always known he's going to make it. Now the rest of the U.S. sees it, too."

Fame, Guarini's friends say, is unlikely to go to his head.

"He's too good of a person," says Cisik. "He has the talent, but he also has the heart and the consistency. On a consistent basis, he's always himself, always a person who's just filled with light.

"It's overwhelming the pride that I feel for Justin. I wish him all the best, and I really think this is just the beginning because I truly believe Justin has something to offer which is extremely rare in most human beings, and that is true love."