Savannah Sawyer
Staff writer

“The Voice,” “American Idol,” “America’s Got Talent,” and now Murray State Idol.

Murray State Idol is a local singing competition and features the winners from each residential college singing competition. The event is at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Lovett Auditorium.

The Council of College Heads sponsors this event which will showcase some of the many talented singers at Murray State University.

Crystal Coleman, co-chair of the event, said this competition is unlike any other because “most of the participants have had formal training or have participated in many singing activities or organizations.”

The event is free to attend and anyone who likes good singing and a little competition will enjoy the event, she said.

All finalists from each residential college will receive a certificate just for competing in the event. The first and second place contestants will also receive a plaque along with a gift card.

Said Coleman: “We hope that people attend the event and support the student vocalists who are proudly representing their residential colleges.”

Get to know the competitors below.

Elizabeth College

Shirley Powell Green, senior from McLemoresville, Tenn.

Q: How did you hear about the competition?

A: I am a part of Lizo College and they emailed it out.

Q: What will you be singing?

A: It’s going to be a religious song, “Center of My Joy” by Richard Smallwood.

Q: How long have you been singing?

A: [I’ve been singing] In the church for a while but nothing major, just normal choir.

Q: What enticed you to audition for the competition?

A: To help with my resume and while I was looking on the computer, I saw it and I was like ‘oh yeah.’ I decided that day, the last day that you could register, and I went for it.

Q: How does it feel to be chosen to represent your college?

A: I’m shocked but I do feel honored. As time comes close I feel honored that I was chosen to represent somebody. It puts a little weight on you because you know, you’re thinking you’ve got to win for them but I can’t do nothing but my best. I’m almost sure that there is somebody out there that’s better than me. I was surprised that I won this one. But I am going to do my best.

Hart College

Chase Harris, freshman from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Q: How did you hear about the competition?

A: I was informed through a RCC meeting by Jimmy Martin. He told me I had to win Hart Idol in order to perform in Murray State Idol.

Q: What will you be singing?

A: I will be singing “Just The Way You Are” by Bruno Mars

Q: How long have you been singing?

A: I’ve sang all my life, but I didn’t truly start singing until the end of my sophomore year in high school when I joined show choir.

Q: What enticed you to audition for the competition?

A: I wanted to sing and hopefully move someone.

Q: How does it feel to be chosen to represent your college?

A: It feels awesome! I love Hart College and I want to go all the way, not just for myself, but for my residential college.

Hester College

Rebecca Johns,freshman from Crete, Ill.

Q: How did you hear about the competition?

A: I heard about Hester Idol at my residential college, Hester. They always post what is going on each month and week. I saw ‘Hester Idol’ in big letters so I stopped and read half of it. I was immediately interested because I love singing and music. However, I did not read that it went to Murray Idol until 10 minutes before it was my turn to sing. Then I started to get very nervous knowing I would have to sing in Lovett Auditorium in front of so many people.

Q: What will you be singing?

A: I will be sitting at piano and singing “Only Hope” by Mandy Moore. It is from the motion picture “A Walk To Remember.”

Q: How long have you been singing?

A: I have been playing piano since second grade and I have been singing my whole life. I have been in many concerts, especially in high school. I was in a musical, spring concerts and my show choir for 4 years. I also sing for my church.

Q: What enticed you to audition for the competition?

A: I wanted to audition because I thought it would be cool to use my talents to represent Hester, plus I love singing.

Q: How does it feel to be chosen to represent your college?

A: Representing Hester is great. I love Hester so much and being the Hester Idol and going onto Murray Idol feels wonderful. Go Hedgehogs! Although I am very exciting to sing and use my God given talents I am extremely scared and nervous.

Regents College

Aaron Krueger, senior from Campbell Hall, N.Y.

Q: How did you hear about the competition?

A: They had fliers up in the elevators in Regents. I’ve had friends that competed in the past.

Q: What will you be singing?

A: I’m sing “Skyscraper” by Demi Lovato. I just think it’s a wonderful song. I just love the song.

Q: How long have you been singing?

A: [I’ve been singing] In church youth choirs. I used to carry around a tape recorder when I was in kindergarten and would sing into it.

Q: What enticed you to audition for the competition?

A: It’s my last chance to do this so I might as well just try it, just for fun.

Q: How does it feel to be chosen to represent your college?

A: I’m incredibly honored. We had some really, really good people.

Richmond College

Abby Winters, sophomore from Hopkinsville, Ky.

Q: How did you hear about the competition?

A: I heard about it last year and wanted to audition, but I didn’t. Then this year I saw a friend of my signed up to audition so I went ahead and signed up as well.

Q: What will you be singing?

Springer-Franklin

Charzetta Pittman, sophomore from Memphis, TN

Q: How did you hear about the competition?

A: Kelsey Bogard is the first person who mentioned the competition to me. She won the competition in 2009. She knew that I love to sing, so she suggested I try it. I didn’t do it my freshman year because I was just getting adjusted to college life, so I decided to do it this year.

Q: What will you be singing?

A: I will be singing “And I Am Telling You” by Jennifer Holiday from the musical “Dreamgirls.”

Q: How long have you been singing?

A: I have been singing as long as I have been talking.

Q: What enticed you to audition for the competition?

A: I auditioned for this competition because singing is such a huge part of me. It’s what I want to do for the rest of my life, and music is how I want to inspire others to express themselves.

Q: How does it feel to be chosen to represent your college?

A: I am so honored to be representing Springer-Franklin residential college. We have a long tradition of pride in our residential colleges, and I am so thankful that my peers chose me to represent them in this campus-wide competition.

White College

Sarah Hargis, senior from St. Charles, Miss.

Q: How did you hear about the competition?

A: I’m a RA over at White and we had White’s Got Talent. The winner of Whites Got Talent would go on to Murray Idol. So I guess that’s how it happened.

Q: What will you be singing?

A: “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry

Q: How long have you been singing?

A: I guess my whole life. But I’ve never really had any technical training or anything.

Q: What enticed you to audition for the competition?

A: They needed more people. They went around asking people to see if they could enter into the competition.

Q: How does it feel to be chosen to represent your college?

A: I guess honored. Slightly terrified but it’ll be cool.