Waynesburg University Student Activities Board (SAB) held auditions from Tuesday, Sept. 5 to Wednesday, Sept. 6, the for the annual singing competition, Waynesburg Idol, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday’s auditions were held in the Marsh Center, while Wednesday’s were in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center (GPAC), which is where WU Idol will take place.

Graduate Assistants Erin Kern and Luke Carter, as well as Residence Director Anthony Jarrell and junior Kyla Wolper, worked together as part of the SAB to organize the event.

Kern, who also helped organize the event last year, was in charge of coordinating the online forms that students needed in order to sign up for the auditions. Carter, who is in his first year of setting up this event, made sure that flyers were put out correctly regarding the dates for auditions, as well as the live performances. Carter also assisted Kern with contacts and ideas for WU Idol.

As a residence director, Jarrell is involved with several SAB events, and, as past WU Idol performer with a background in music, Jarrell welcomes the opportunity to take part in WU Idol.

Of the three, Jarrell has the most seniority regarding WU Idol. This will be the ninth time Jarrell has participated, as he performed once as a student, and is in his fourth year helping to produce the event. Jarrell was a music minor while getting his undergraduate degree at Waynesburg from 2009-13. For Jarrell, while voice tone and pitch are factors when evaluating a singing audition, it is also essential as a judge to look at a performance from the standpoint of those who will be listening in the audience.

“Basically [the judges] are trying to put ourselves in the minds and in the ears of the average listener, who may or may not have any music experience,” Jarrell said. “[As a judge] you really go with your gut reaction. What we’re going for as judges is; did we enjoy that?”

Jarrell also cited not letting personal feelings be a factor in the decision making as another challenge in evaluating auditions.

“It’s also really hard when you have somebody audition who you really like,” Jarrell said. “You want them to succeed, but sometimes you have to kind of remove your opinion or be honest if the person’s not ready for this experience, and that’s hard.”

Like Jarrell, Kern is an experienced singer, who also has played the piano. For Kern, having people who are experienced in music is important when judging auditions.

“I think it’s good that we’re all here judging the auditions,” Kern said. “Then [the singers] step out [of the room] so we can talk and get an overall sense of how they did and if they would move on or not.”

Carter, who picked up his undergraduate degree from Waynesburg this past April, is in his first year of organizing WU Idol. Carter sees staying on top of things as essential in setting up the event.

“Just trying to figure out exactly what we’re looking for with all the performers,” Carter said. “Kind of just getting everything set up, making sure everything is going to be on time and what we’re going to set up for the weeks to come. It’s not really difficult, but fun to set up.”

Another contributor is Kyla Wolper, a special event committee chair for SAB. One thing that Wolper enjoys about WU Idol is discovering some of the talents of her peers.

“One of the most fun parts is seeing people during auditions and on stage that I didn’t know could sing,” said Wolper. “People that I’ve known for [a long time], just to be able to see them in their element. It’s really cool just to be able to see them shine in that way.”

In total, 16 students auditioned for WU Idol, each performing a one-minute acapella. One of the people auditioning was junior digital design major Christian Wilson.

Wilson is no stranger to the stage. As a sophomore, he appeared in the fall play and spring musical, and is trying out for “Hamlet” this fall. For Wilson, WU Idol is an opportunity to live out a hobby in front of an audience.

“I like singing,” Wilson said. “I may not like when I have to hear myself sing on recordings. But people [encouraged me], so I said ‘Ok, I’ll give it a whirl.”

For his audition, Wilson performed “Soul of a Man” by Brendan Urie. Wilson described it as a “high-powered” song, which appeals to him.

The first round of Waynesburg Idol is Friday, Sept. 15, in the GPAC, followed by “Waynesburg Idol II,” Friday, Sept. 22 and the finale will be Friday, Sept. 29. All performances are scheduled for 8 p.m.