Music

The Latest Idol

by EMILY BUTLER

Tiger Council, the music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon and the Trinity Traditions Council, all at Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A., put on the sixth annual Trinity Idol this past Tuesday, November 11, 2008, as part of TigerFest.

The ten contestants included Zack Matevia, singing "Barely Breathing"; Emily Sadler with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"; Sebastian Pinzon, "La Camisa Negra"; Kaela Dickens singing "I'm Yours"; Jordan Kampschmidt with "Wrapped Up in You"; Marisa Cavin performing the classic "The Prima Donna Song"; Josh Adams on the piano singing "Thunder"; Lindsey Vande Hey with "I Love You I Do" from the Dreamgirls soundtrack; Molly Marrou singing "Who Knew"; and Raj Singh with "So High".

Approximately thirty people auditioned this year for Trinity Idol, and Mu Phi Epsilon members, who judged the auditions, selected the finalists to perform in Laurie Auditorium for Trinity Idol 6. The judges this year were Andrew Hansen, assistant professor of speech and drama, Dwight Bigler, director of choral activities, and Ankita Rakhe, coordinator of diversity and student programs.

While the decision was tough, the judges selected Senior Sadler, Senior Cavin, and Sophomore Singh as the top three finalists.

The audience then voted for the winner, selecting Raj Singh as number one.

Raj, who had never sung publicly before, said it was difficult to perform in front of an audience. He nonetheless managed to perform, and perform well, engaging the audience in his both humorous and moving piece.

The song he chose, "So High", by John Legend, was a personal favorite, and this was clear by his passionate performance of it.

"I've been a John Legend fan since before his first CD," Raj said.

Raj, a communication and marketing double major, said that he doesn't play any musical instruments and practices singing only minimally.

"I sing in the shower," Raj joked, "so, like, once a week."

Will Aufricht, who accompanied him on the piano for his performance, practiced with Raj several times before the show.

Raj's humility showed as his friends and family rushed on stage to congratulate him and he expressed his surprise at winning.

"I was shocked," Raj said. "I did not feel like I deserved to be anywhere in life, but I tied my turban, I brushed my teeth, I flexed, and I sang."

Bigler, who conducts all three choirs and will teach a seminar on advanced choral conducting next semester, was selected as a judge by the organizers, who are in the choir. Bigler believed that all the contestants did a great job this year.
"It takes a lot of guts to get on stage and sing," Bigler said.

While none of the judges acted as a Simon Cowell, they all offered useful advice for the contestants as well as plenty of positive comments. All three judges complimented contestants that were able to engage the audience and create energy in their performances.

One factor that Rakhe admired was certain performers' abilities to create a special connection between the listeners and the song. She especially enjoyed Kampschmidt's serenade to the audience, emphasizing the special connection she had with that song and his ability to elicit those feelings. Hansen also stressed the importance of creating energy with the audience, as well as maintaining good tone and pitch.

Bigler thought that Raj Singh had an excellent performance and complimented him on his energy and natural talent. He also said that he had been to several talent shows at the University of Texas in Austin in addition to Trinity's.

"And this place has as good of talent or better," Bigler admitted.

Sophomore Phil Repsher, who attended Trinity Idol for the first time, really enjoyed the performances.

"They were all simply smashing," Repsher said. "I had no idea that Trinity had so much singing talent."

[Courtesy: The Trinitonian]

November 14, 2008

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