CU Idol returns for a night of music, entertainment

By CUIndependent in Entertainment on Mar 17, 2007 0:00 / comments

The walls were shaking in the Glenn Miller Ballroom on Friday with the noise of the singers and a roaring crowd for the Herd’s fourth annual CU Idol competition.

Ten singers competed for the ultimate title of CU Idol and the grand prize of $1,000. Half of the prize money will be donated to a student group or charity of the winner’s choice.

Cheri Gonzales, Lindsay O’Brien, Tres Riegel, Amber Banducci, Meghan Wright, Taylor Yacktman, Austin Bisnow, Melissa Peyronnin, Crystal Lutton and Tin Parrott performed to a packed house of excited fans cheering for their favorite singers.

The group of 10 was narrowed down to five and then three. The final winner was chosen based on two factors: the first was the audience’s opinion, where people were able to vote on a scale of one to five using the iClicker system; the second factor was in the hands of three judges. The judges included Michele Spottsville, last year’s CU Idol winner, Jake Wells, a philosophy major and music critic, and Drew Frank, the current president of the Herd all held these singers to harsh, but fair expectations.

The singers had their own talents and individuality that came out in their performances. The style and music varied from each singer. Songs from Christina Aguilera to Frank Sinatra were played.

Yacktman took a sultry approach to her routine while Riegel went with a classic technique. Bisnow went a step further by writing his own song and performing it on a piano.

While each performer sang, the audience showered them with applause. People came equipped with personalized cheers and signs in favor of their favorite Idol.

“I’m here to see Austin,” said Cheryl D’epagnier, a freshman integrative physiology major.

Along with the Idol routines came three intermission performances. The CU Goldrush dance team, an Audition Video and Michele Spottsville were featured along with audience giveaways.

“I’m here for the ride,” said Irene Lee, a freshman biochemistry major.

The winner of CU Idol was Riegel, who performed “Konstantine” by Something Corporate on the piano.

The entire night was a success due to the talent of these young individuals, the music and the festivities.

“It’s cool to see a friend perform plus I’m really into music,” Mallory Ungs, a freshman integrative physiology major, said.

Contact Campus Press staff writer Dana Silva at Dana.Silva@thecampuspress.com.

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