Video courtesy of WCTV, Gwyn Napier
Twelve of Waynesburg University’s most talented singers battled it out last Friday night at WU Idol to see who has what it takes to make it to the next round.
The following is a list of the contestants and their performances featuring music before 2000s:
- Sarah Bloom “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion
- Nathaniel Fletcher “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
- Makayla Osborn “I Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
- Rachel Redinger “Fly Me To The Moon” by Frank Sinatra
- Kareisha Jean Pierre “As Long As You Love Me” by Backstreet Boys
- Amy Liu “Careless Whisper” by George Michael
- Colin Rhodesa “I’ve Got A Name” by Jim Croce
- Emmanuel Lespere “Faithfully” by Journey
- Rachel Calvetti “Dream A Little Dream Of Me” by The Mammas & The Papas
- Josh Anderson “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John
- Caitlin Misejka “Memory” by ‘Cats’ The Musical
- Autumn Hanson “At Last” by Etta James
The first person to grace the stage was Bloom. Despite the initial nerves, she thought her performance went well.
“I think it went fairly well. I didn’t mess up,” Bloom said. “The only thing the judges had to say is that I should have more stage presence.”
Anderson, who performed later in the night, also thought he did well. His performance was a “crowd pleaser.”
“I think it went pretty well. I had the crowd singing with me. It was a fun time. I got everyone energized, all pumped up,” Anderson said.
At the end of the night, the judges and crowd voted on who would make it to the next round. After much suspense, Jean Pierre and Osborn were voted off WU Idol. The rest of the 10 contestants will continue onto the next round featuring music from the 2000s.
In preparation for the next round, Anderson said he plans to utilize the judges critiques and improve upon his first round performance.
“I had big stage presents, but I really need to move around a bit,” he said. “Plus, I think that I can really hone in on those pitches just a little bit. I don’t think it was as good as it could be, but I guarantee in the next round it will be perfection.”
The next round of WU Idol will be Friday, Sept. 24 in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m.