Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSenior clenches second SU Idol crown
By Liz Eney
Posted: 9/16/08, 12:37 AM EST Section: Feature
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But winning was an added bonus after Cunningham, a senior in The College of Arts and Sciences and member of the a capella group Groovestand, won over the crowd and judges at the second annual Syracuse University Idol competition in Goldstein Auditorium Monday night.
"It feels good. I did it for Groovestand because I love them," she said. "It was a really fun experience."
Cunningham won the competition after performing Alicia Keys' "How Come You Don't Call Me."
Ten semi-finalists were narrowed down to three as the judges weighed in on which contestant last year's winner Tinuke Oyefule would pass her crown to.
Oyefule, along with Courtney Jones, an SU alumnus who works in the Office of Student Life, and Joseph Downing, an associate professor in the Setnor School of Music, judged the event and chose the final three contestants.
"It feels fantastic," Oyefule said. "Sabrina is an amazing performer, she's a hard worker and in the a capella group Groovestand. So, I mean, in all honesty, it's not as if music isn't something she's worked for. I know this is her senior year, so seeing her win is totally satisfying."
Audience members ultimately decided the contestants' fate, turning in ballots for their favorite performer after the chosen three gave a second round of performances.
Like last year, students of all majors competed to win not only bragging rights, but the chance to sing the National Anthem at a home basketball game this season.
Darren Goldberg, vice president of University Union, said UU created the event because student interest was high, and last year's turnout demanded a return.
"I think there's still an interest in it," Goldberg said. "It's still something that students want to see. Last year we did pretty well for our first year."
Emotions ran high as the event began. The crowd settled down and the show's host DeMarcus Woods, a sophomore human ecology major, introduced the contestants who performed a variety of songs.
Cunnigham, senior Jonathan Shew and sophomore Nina Elias were announced as the three final competitors after the first round of competition.
After the first round cut, some audience members left the event which gave the impression that the top choices were insufficient.
The contestants prepared for the next round during the break, while First Year Players performed scenes from its 2007-2008 production, "Fame."
Before the final performances, the contestants quietly hummed the songs to themselves. Backstage, Elias stood shaking, unprepared for her performance.
"I was nervous as hell," Elias said. "I didn't expect to be in the top three."
Singing a rendition of "Because of You" by Kelly Clarkson, the original American Idol, Elias showed off her vocals. Despite the fact that she didn't win, she was still happy to have competed in the event.
While Elias finished with an American Idol classic, the song choices were as diverse as the singers. Selections came from all genres of music, from country to alternative rock.
Elias has nothing but high hopes for next year, when she will vie for the Idol crown once again.
"There was nothing bad about this experience," Elias said. "It's really great to showcase your voice if you're not in the music school."
eseney@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
embo
posted 9/16/08 @ 3:25 PM EST
sabby is so amazing!
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