A month ago, I saw a flier about Cyclone Idol competition in my campus. Basically it is a singing competition where the first prize winner will get $ 400 and a contract to make a record at Bifi Record. I was hesitant to join. I didn't have faith in my own voice. But some friends here encouraged me to join. Monica even brought me one of the flyers to show me. I took the registration form, left it in my bag for days, before I submitted it, an hour before the deadline.
So the day of the preliminary round has come. March 23. For that round, I chose 'Misty' by Sarah Vaughn. I knew from a long long time ago that I feel comfortable with the song and people always says that they like me singing that song. Been practising quite many times, with Tyas, En2 and Lavin as my constant judges :) Tyas was very kind to give me inputs on the song and my mock-up performance. En2 lent me her blouse and sandal and did my make-up. Tyas again drove me to the M-shop at Memorial Union where the competition was held. I had sent an email to all my friends in Ames about the competition and on the D-day many showed up! I was so happy and honored to have them.
I was given the third slot in the evening program. That evening was one of the three sessions of preliminary round. There were 13 singers to perform that night. Here is the list of the performers:
23-Mar
Time Performer
7:00 PM Welcome
7:10 Glenn Smith
7:20 Megann Andrews
7:30 Neny Isharyanti
7:40 Megan Stuart
7:50 Rudy A Mohd-Ali
8:00 Katie Mozack
8:10 Ade Williams
8:20 Yolanda Chizanga
8:30 Mario Iniguez
8:40 Cindy Johnson
8:50 Natalie Meyer
9:00 Benjamin Awaniyi
9:10
9:20 Jill Ulrich
9:30
9:40
9:50
10:00 PM
I was feeling a bit nervous. After all it's a different audience from my band. I started my performance with a bit of chit chat to the audience, to be more intimate, to make me relax. I said 'I'm singing this song for all of you. It doesn't matter if I'm picked for the final or not because I sing this for you.' I wasn't wearing my glasses and of course I couldn't see anybody in the audience. That was a plus, to ease my nervousness. So I was singing....
Look at me, I'm as helpless as a kitten up the tree
and I feel that I'm clinging to the clouds
I can't understand, I got misty just holding your hand
Walk my way, and a thousand violins begin to play
Or it might be the sound of your hello, that music I gave
I got misty, the moment you leave
You can say, that you're leaning me on
but it was just what I want you to do
Don't you notice how hopelessly I'm lost
That's why I'm following you
Of my own, would I wonder through this wonderland alone
never knowing my right foot from my left, my hat from my gloves
I'm too misty and too much in love....
I could hear the crowd cheering and clapping hands. It was a superb feeling. I didn't care at all if I passed. I didn't pay attention to the judges. I was happy when the crowd was happy. I knew I love to perform and that night confirmed once more how I always love to perform.
Upon stepping down the stage, many friends met me and congratulated me for the 'good' performance. It was enough for me. Yiendra, Yierick, Elaine, Tyas, Inneke, Sylvi, Michael, Kariman, Raymond, Lavin, Anthony, Yared, Ari, Refina, Azhari, Teddy, Fira, Netty, Lydia, Raymond, Andres; they were all there for me and I really appreciated the company of good friends.
We left during the break. By midnight, the event organizer will inform the participants of who passed and go to the final. Here is the email that I received:
Good Evening!
I just thought you would all like to know who went on tonight...
A reminder: The Finals are April 15th at 7pm. You will probably want to
change your song.
Reminder to those in the next two weeks...
Make sure you are there at least 30 min before your scheduled time!!!! We
got almost 30 min ahead tonight and had to fill in time!
Here are tonight's winners:
Cindy Johnson
Jill Ulrich
Neny Isharyanti
Megann Andrews
Ade Williams
Benjamin Awaniyi
Congrats to you all!!!
Talitha
Awesome, I'm running to the final! And the judges' comments on my performance:
"I like the I don't GAS attitude. The singing is a little inconsistent yet enjoyable, seems very comfortable on stage. Overall performance: 8"
"It's mistifying. very comfortable on stage, good selecting for voice. Overall performance: 8"
"Articulation - going from mid to lower somehow goes flat, knows how to utilize the mic to her advantage. Overall performance: 5"
"Great job! :) Great stage presence! Cool song too! You seem like you would be fun to hang out with! Well done! Overall performance: 8"
One judge definitely was very critical, but I appreciated it. Most of the judges feel that my costume was not that flashy, well, probably later will compensate that. I need to work on my musical ability too. It seems that I need to rehearse and practice a lot for the Final. But honestly, I don't really care if I win. Seeing my friends so proud of me and so proud of being Indonesian is a reward. I remember somebody said before I went to stage "Neny, you're representing Indonesia. Remember that!" and it's true, true to the very bottom. After all, I'm an Indonesian and I'm proud to be able to show my talent as an Indonesian.
The final will be on April 15, and I know my supporters will be there for me...
