Read Hall talent show entertains those in attendance

Some contestants sang. Some played instruments. One girl even made a very convincing trumpet sound using only her mouth. \nWhile only a handful of people signed up to be in Read Hall’s talent competition Thursday evening, audience members said the event was definitely entertaining.\n“This is why I love Read. It’s got such a mix of talent,” Read student government President Melanie Robbins said after the show, noting the dorm’s high number of students in the Jacobs School of Music.\nRobbins said that plans for the event began before spring break. Graduate resident assistant Israel Laguer and floor programmers, who are students on each floor that comes up with ideas for dorm events, approached the student government with the idea of a talent competition.\nLaguer said he was pleased with the support the idea received.\n“Support from the student government was great. When you have cohesion, you can put on a successful program,” Laguer said.\nNine people entered the competition. Some performed twice during moments when no one else came forward to put his or her talent on the line. A group of four men wearing blazers and sunglasses was one of the entries that performed twice, singing Phish’s last studio recording, “Grind.”\n“We prepared a half hour beforehand, and it showed,” sophomore Brandon Johnson said.\nIn the end, freshman Nikhil Navkal, a student in the Jacobs School of Music, won. Navkal sang a classical piece for the competition. \n“I had no idea other people would appreciate classical music,” Navkal said. \nNavkal had many supporters in the audience. This was an advantage for him, considering that the contestants were narrowed down by applause, and then a show of hands for the remaining three.\n“I think the raise of hands turned (the competition),” Clark Schaufele, a sophomore in the Jacobs School of Music, said. Schaufele accompanied Navkal on the piano.\nNavkal received a DVD player, and the second-and third-place winners, freshmen Alex Pelsor and Carolyn Mehta, received a $20 gift certificate for Kerasotes theaters, and a $10 Target gift card with Twizzlers, respectively. \nSome students who competed in the show have even recorded albums. A.J. Datcher, a freshman, and Calvin Carrington, a senior, have both recorded original songs. Carrington finished a full-length album in December, and Datcher recently recorded an album with a few songs on it.\nSome attended the talent competition just to watch. Elizabeth Schlemmer and Matthew Miller said they live in Forest, but were eating at Read dining hall and thought they’d attend.\n“Our friend A.J. is performing, so we thought we’d come check it out,” Miller said. “This is the first thing that I’ve been to at Read Hall, actually.”\nJana Deal, a floor programmer, said that turnout for each event at Read varies. She noted that the more educational programs have a lower turnout.\n“It depends on how you advertise. If you make (the program) look good, people will come.”\nIn all, Laguer thought the talent competition was received and planned well. \n“The staff did a good job, and the sixth-floor programmers did a good job – they were excited and motivated from the start.”\nRobbins said that the next event at Read will be “Huge Fest” on April 12-15. Huge Fest will include events at Willkie Quad, Forest Quad and Read Hall.\n“It (the event) is something for students to think back on when they move out of Read,” Robbins said. “We remind people to get out and do things. That’s what we’re here for.”