BC Idol: Students face off for a cause

Every Wednesday night, a slew of Boston College students join viewers across the country and gather around their television sets to watch the music industry's newest stars perform on the latest installment of Fox's American Idol. These same students had an opportunity to get their own musical break, albeit on a much smaller scale, at BC Idol, a singing competition for BC musicians. On Friday night, nine musical acts ranging from solo guitar acts to Christian hip-hop groups to piano-playing crooners took the stage in Gasson 100 in front of nearly 300 of their peers to perform for a chance to be crowned BC Idol.

The event was organized by the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) and sponsored by the Office of the Dean for Student Development (ODSD). Although many in the audience came for the music, Harvey Simmons, one of the event's co- hosts and A&S '11, said, "Tonight is about more than the music, it's about raising money for a good cause."

Proceeds from the event benefited the Travis Roy Foundation and Helping Hands, an organization that trains monkeys to assist quadriplegic patients in a similar way as do Seeing Eye dogs with the blind. The Travis Roy Foundation donates its proceeds to quadriplegics who cannot afford treatment. These two organizations were selected by ELP at the beginning of the year as the recipients of this year's fundraising efforts. The past two ELP events this year, Extreme Bingo and BC Price is Right, also raised significant sums for these two charities. The total sum raised from BC Idol was $1,645, surpassing the funds generated by last year's BC Idol by over $600.

Tim Miller, A&S '11, joined Simmons to emcee the event and keep the night rolling. The three "celebrity" judges included Baldwin, Rev. Richard McGowan, S.J., and Rev. Don McMillan, S.J.; though not musical experts, they offered feedback to make the event more authentic.

The contestants were picked during a long process that began at the end of last semester when the first auditions were held. Although everyone who auditioned made it to the final show, it isn't like that every year. "This year, everyone who auditioned made it in, but that is because the level of talent was very good," said Monroe Lacerte, one of the event's coordinators and A&S '10. The contestants each performed one song of their choosing, with some opting to perform their own musical accompaniments along with their singing.

After the contestants had all performed and the audience had voted, the winners of last year's BC Idol, who did not compete this year, played a small set for the audience while the votes were being tallied. Last year's winners were Mike Dinet, A&S '10, and Brian MacKenzie, A&S '10. The duo preformed "Soul to Squeeze" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as some of their own material. Dinet handled the vocals and guitar for the act, while MacKenzie played the lead part on the electric violin. While this combination was a novelty for many in the audience, the group soon showed that it was more than just a curious combination and awed the audience with their musical talent.

The winners were chosen by audience vote, with the top three receiving prize baskets courtesy of local businesses. The prize baskets included a sports-themed basket, an electronics basket, and a "night on the town" basket. The third-place winners were the B-16's, a Christian hip-hop group who performed its own rap and dance routine in front of large posters of the pope and Mary. The group was a duo of Nathan Keegan, A&S '09, and T.R. Hoffman. The second-place winner was Alycia Kennedy, A&S '10, who sang and played piano for the popular hit "No One" by Alicia Keys. The winner of BC Idol was Michael Matosic, CSOM '11, singing "You Raise Me Up," by popular vocalist Josh Groban. Matosic seemed to be the fan favorite immediately after his performance, receiving a thunderous applause and praise from all three judges. McMillan said, "That song means a lot to me, and the way you sang it raised me up."

After the contest was over, Matosic reflected on what it meant for him to be able to perform at, and win, BC Idol. He said that the competition was about more than showcasing one's particular talents in front of an audience of peers, but about using those talents to raise money for an organization that helps so many who are in need. "Doing what you're passionate about for a really good cause is the best opportunity that could present itself," Matosic said.