CU Idol’s finalists prepare to win grand prize

Thousands auditioned, nerves have been tested, courage has been mustered and many dreams are being held in the balance. This is the experience for the finalists of CU Idol.

On Friday, March 9, CU students will gather in the Glenn Miller Ballroom. They will vote with iClickers for their peers, who will sing their hearts out for the $1,000 grand prize, with the addition of a second place prize of $500 and a third place prize of $250. The audience should expect some fierce competition.

After a month of competition, this Friday in the Glenn Miller Ballroom students will vote on there choice for the winner of CU Idol. There are ten contestants who have made it to the finals and competing for the $1,000 grand prize. (CU Independent/Josh Shettler)

It has been a journey for these contestants since the audition process began in early February. Ashley Prince, a freshman psychology major from Superior, auditioned with the popular show-stopper “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, which won her a spot as a finalist.

“The audition experience was so much fun,” Prince said. “Club 156 is a great set up and the Herd staff was really friendly.”

When asked about her competition, she said the finalists haven’t heard each other sing yet. Despite this, she noted that the other contestants’ love for music is amazing.

The other nine contestants joining Prince on stage are Katherine McManus, Andrew Bridger Sperry, Suffyanah Gheithy, Jake O’Neal, Heidi Guenther, Shane Church, Garrett Smith, Mara Kennan and Peter Zagone. With the tension mounting, the finalists are sure to be somewhat nervous. However, Prince is not too worried.

“I’m just going in and doing the best I can,” she said.

There will be three judges for Friday night. Eric Bieniemy, CU football offensive coordinator and alumnus; Anthony Hull, a CU alumnus who is now a documentary filmmaker and who has appeared in a commercial for the HTC Rezound; and Satya Chavez, last year’s CU Idol winner. They are ready for the challenge of deciding who is CU’s most talented singer.

“This side of the judging table certainly has a lot less pressure,” Chavez said. “I’m looking forward to see this year’s talent.”

The contestants will be performing in three rounds. In two rounds, the contestants will choose their own music; finalists will perform an acapella number to show off what their voices can do on their own. Not only will the contestants need to impress the audience with these selections, they must also blow the judges away.

“I’m looking for a variety in dynamics,” Chavez said. “There are songs that can get repetitive. Not limiting yourself to the original interpretation can make a song more interesting.”

For Prince, CU Idol is a way for CU students to see what hidden talent is sitting in the same classroom.

“There’s so much talent here at CU, and I think it’s great that there are things like CU Idol to showcase that,” Prince said. “It’s going to be a really fun, entertaining night for everyone.”

As the reigning CU Idol, Chavez had some advice for the finalists.

“Contestants should expect nerves,” she said. “I was a wreck during the competition, but I just reminded myself that I was there because I love to sing. It is a competition, so of course the stakes are higher, but if music is a passion of yours, win or lose, that’s not going to change.”

With acts during the intermission as well as numerous giveaways, the audience is sure to be entertained all night long.  CU Idol is March 9 from 7 – 9:30pm in the Glenn Miller Ballroom. Admission is free for students, and Herd members have VIP seating. Bring your iClicker for voting.

Contact CU Independent Reporter Ellie Patterson at [email protected]