Monday, Jan 16, 2012
Activities will also feature athletics events and a skiing/snowboarding trip.
by Meaghan Haugh
The freezing temperatures have set in, but the spring semester is starting to warm up. In fact, you might want to find some shades. Rider University is offering students a chance to bask in the limelight during Winter Weekend 2012.
The Office of Campus Life will debut The R Factor on Saturday, January 28. Similar to the show The X Factor featuring often blunt talent judge Simon Cowell, the competition is designed to find the best vocal performers at Rider and is open to both solo and group acts.
“As a music follower, I have always been into The X Factor,” explained Nick Barbati, coordinator of Campus Life. “It is not just a strict talent show. Instead, we thought it would engage more members of the community and Winter Weekend would be a good time to unveil the competition.”
The competition will begin at 8 p.m. in the Yvonne Theater. Those auditioning will perform one song for judges Barbati, Dave Keenan, director of Campus Life and Karin Torchia, associate director of Athletics for External Operations. The judges will provide the performers feedback in front of the audience and will vote. Performers must have three "yesses" to advance to Judge’s Decision Round, where contestants will be split up amongst the judges. Later, the judges will decide two performers to represent them in the Performance Battle Round on Saturday, March 3 in BLC Cavalla Room. The rest will be eliminated from the contest.
During the Performance Battle Round, judges will work with their two finalists in creating two songs/performances. After the first round, judges will cut one of their acts. The finalists will perform their second song, and the winning act will be determined by audience vote. The winning contestant will perform in the Pub during the evening of University Day on Thursday April 12.
“I’m expecting a really good response from the students. I know there’s an audience for this. I think students are really looking for an outlet to perform and I really believe that this is going to capture the students’ imaginations,” Barbati said. “We can promise honesty, but constructive honesty. We want this to be a positive experience for everyone. There will be no ‘Simon Cowells,” and a lot more ‘Jennifer Lopezes.’”
The rest of the 2012 Winter Weekend schedule includes:
Thursday, January 26
Pub Night
5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
BLC Pub, 21 and Up
Men’s Basketball vs. Saint Peter’s College
7 p.m.
Alumni Gym
Friday, January 27
Pub Night
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
BLC Pub, 18 to enter
Ice Hockey vs. Seton Hall University
9:45 p.m.
Loucks Ice Center
Bronc Bingo
10 p.m.
Daly Dining Hall
Saturday, January 28
Skiing/Snowboarding Trip
The skiing/Snowboarding trip to Camelback Mountain, sponsored by Recreation Programs, will depart from campus at 6:30 a.m. and return to campus approximately at 7 p.m. Visit the Ticket Booth for sign-up information.
Roller Rink
Join your classmates in the SRC Center Courts from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. where a portable roller skating rink will be set up complete with DJ, lights, and skates for participants. Come early since the event is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ice Hockey vs. Monmouth University
9 p.m.
Loucks Ice Center
Sunday, January 29
Men’s Basketball vs. Siena College
2 p.m.
Alumni Gym
Westminster Choir College students are encouraged to use the inter-campus shuttle and join in the fun. For more information about The R Factor, please contact Nick Barbati at [email protected].