From Jimmy Buffett to Journey the Seton Hill Univeristy (SHU) Idol contestants performed beyond expectations!
Through nerves and fears SHU students competed in a singing contest that ended in the crowd roaring with applause.
By Bethany Merryman
Arts and Entertainment Editor
From Jimmy Buffett to Journey the Seton Hill Univeristy (SHU) Idol contestants performed beyond expectations!
Through nerves and fears SHU students competed in a singing contest that ended in the crowd roaring with applause.
The competition was hot and the comedy was a kick. Comedian Ronnie Jordan had the crowd laughing all night as he made comments about our “Bram Stoker campus of vampires” and impersonated American Idol winner Ruben Studdard.
Junior Jessie Pilewski said, “Ronnie Jordan was hilarious and kept the event light and fun! I was cracking up the whole time.”
The contestants sang along side The Maxtone Band. A.J. LoPorto, a junior, led the competition with “Margaritaville” and had the whole crowd singing along.
Cameron Cocoran, a freshman performed “Piano Man” and was followed by Kathryn Fabbrani, a sophomore who performed “Drops of Jupiter” and broke through nerves with an outstanding performance.
Elyse Branam, a junior jammed to “I Love Rock and Roll” and had the crowd clapping along as she got into the song. Christine Murphy, a junior followed with “Black Velvet” and awed the crowd.
Sheridee Hale, a sophomore sang the famous “Before He Cheats” and was followed by sophomore Amanda Bish, who got the crowd going with the famous song, “Don’t Stop Believing.”
About performing, Bish said, “It was a very interesting experience, because most people had never performed with a live band.”
Bish had some previous experience playing with her father’s live band and was familiar performing in front of a crowd due to her experience in theatre. However, Bish said, “Singing with a live band is entirely different.”
Finishing off the first round of the contest, freshman Caitlin Hough sang “Black Horse and Cherry Tree.”
After the first round, the four judges deliberated and picked a top three, which included Murphy, LoPorto, and Branam. The three final contestants battled one another by singing their second selections. Murphy and Branam both sang “Before He Cheats” and LoPorto sang “3 A.M.” in the final round.
The crowd was left to make the final decision between the three final contestants. Jordan listened to the cheers of the crowd to decide the winner, but it was too close between Murphy and LoPorto.
The Maxtone Band would make the final decision between the two contestants and chose Murphy. Murphy received first place and $250, LoPorto received second place and $100, and Branam came in third place and received $100.
The event was a success and according to Kirstin Logan, the executive of Student-body Activities Council, had a crowd of about 90 students. Junior Matt Mlynarski said, “It took guts from them to get up there and sing.”