The silence that followed one student’s audition was broken by the door shutting on his way out. The judges erupted into an excited discussion, each one exclaiming their positive opinions of the performance.

‘Give him a star!’ one judge said.

‘Yeah, just put a big star,’ another added eagerly.

Seven judges, made of members from Syracuse University’s all-female a cappella group the Mandarins and the SU Idol Committee, evaluated this year’s annual SU Idol auditions. Sponsored by the Traditions Commission, the Mandarins and University Union, the event attracted students with different academic and musical backgrounds.

Students sang a variety of music including old jazz and Christmas music. The competition didn’t limit musical styles — one potential Idol rapped his own lyrics. 

Despite her last minute decision to audition, Vianny Azcona, senior English and textual studies major, prepared her required one- to two-minute song within 24 hours.

‘I got an email yesterday and said, ‘Hey, why not?” Azcona said.

Competitors aimed for the same goal: a chance to perform one song as the opener for A Cappella After Hours on Dec. 8. Second and third place winners will receive iTunes gift cards and all top three finalists will receive SU Idol trophies.

‘I was really nervous. It’s probably one of the scariest things I’ve done since I’ve been here,’ said Amber Nelson, a freshman undeclared major who is on the pre-med track, ‘But I did it just for fun.’

Those who make it past this first round of auditions will receive an email alerting them that they are finalists by Tuesday, Oct. 25. As a finalist, competitors must prepare two full songs for their performance. To perform their second song, finalists must first make it past judging on their first song. Just like the Fox television show, ‘American Idol,’ the audience gets to decide who wins by voting via text message. 

The judges based their picks on three main criteria: tone, pitch and technique. Although these are the technical aspects of singing, Deanna Payson, a senior political science major and member of the Mandarins, said the judges looked for more than just a good voice.

After many auditions, the judges made comments on the factor of personality in the performance. 

‘If you’re timid and reserved, already I’m thinking, ‘You’re going to have to wow me with your voice.’ Your personality has to match your singing personality,’ said Ryan Whitman, a senior music industry major with a concentration in vocal performance and last year’s SU Idol winner. 

He said the judges also wanted to feel genuine emotions in the performance. 

Duane Ford, a freshman earth science and secondary education major, sang ‘I’ve Been Hearing That You’re Freaky’ by Jonny Craig, a change for him.

Though he sang in an a cappella group in high school, Ford was more active in a hardcore rock band that he and his friends started. Ford said he is trying to transition to the more traditional sounds of a cappella groups heard here on campus.

April Woltersdorf, a sophomore music education major who has judged other vocal auditions in the past, said she felt surprised at the talent she witnessed.

Woltersdorf said: ‘I didn’t expect a whole slew of talent but some.’

Published on October 22, 2011 at 12:00 pm