Nearly 25 UB students belted, screeched, squealed, bellowed and just plain sang their hearts out in a talent competition dubbed "UB Idol" Monday night in the Wilkeson Coffee House. One contestant, Courtney Braun, a sophomore communications major, even painted whiskers on her face and crawled around on the ground as she sang "Hakuna Matata" from the Disney movie "The Lion King."
Monday night's competition was the first of three open auditions for the contest inspired by Fox television's "American Idol," which features a grand prize of $1,000 in campus cash. The third open audition takes place tonight in the Lehman Television Lounge in Governors Hall from 8 until 10 p.m.
"I think it'd be fun to see if I can actually win it," said contestant Rachel Kochmanski, a freshman English major who sang Etta James' "At Last." "That would be pretty cool."
Although music producer Simon Cowell - the "American Idol" judge notorious for his malicious comments to contestants - was not on hand at the Residence Hall Association-sponsored event, the three judges present proved they could be equally brutal in assessing contestants' voices and fashion choices.
"That was really terrible. The falsetto was horrible," said judge Mike Lacari, a freshman undecided major, after one of the contestants performed an R&B number.
Lacari said the judges were all chosen to judge the contest after completing an interview with the contest's producer, RHA Vice President Jenn Bly.
Lacari said he was picked to judge the contestants' "personality and fashion" because he doesn't have as much musical experience as the other judges.
"It was embarrassing, and it's too bad you came out here," said judge Chris Dattilo, to another contestant.
Judge Robyn Halicki, a freshman political science and Spanish major, took issue with another contestant's appearance.
"(I) would pick something a little more covering to draw attention away from your stomach," Halicki said, after the contestant completed her rendition of "Hero," by Mariah Carey.
According to Halicki, Bly chose her to be a judge based on her extensive musical experience, which began in elementary school.
When she was 11, Halicki said she was a member of the Chautauqua County Children's Chorale, which "really was the best of the best from area elementary schools."
"I didn't think they were taking into account being nervous," said Howard See, a junior communication major. "They're trying to mimic the show too much."
Kochmanski agreed and said the judges seemed to be imitating those on "American Idol." "They were mean," she said.
Halicki said the judges were not needlessly insulting contestants.
"We're not trying to be mean," Halicki said. "We're trying to be honest."
Nick Catania, a senior theater major, said he was not put off by Halicki's comment that she expected more out of his performance of "I'll Be There," from "The Wild Party."
"They were very nice about it," Catania said.
Halicki said she let the other judges critique Catania first, because "I didn't want to tell a senior musical theater major I wasn't impressed."
According to the contest's host, Matt Pelkey, a freshman political science and economics major, nearly half of the students who sang in the first audition were given callbacks to the semifinals on April 1.
As for those who plan to attend tonight's audition, Dattilo said he is not planning to back down, but he will give compliments when earned.
"I'm sick of telling bad people they're good," Dattilo said. "I just want to tell them they suck."
According to Bly, the semifinals will take place in the Student Union from 1 to 3 p.m.
After the semifinals, Bly said five students will be chosen to participate in the finals on April 13, during the "Thank Goodness It's Almost Spring" celebration.
While no spectators are allowed inside the audition room during the first round tryouts, Pelkey said the general public is invited to vote on the final winner.
