Courage prevails in The One 2007 Qualifying Rounds
The qualifying rounds of The One 2007 seemed to be a jittery affair for contestants. Despite Mr Kellett’s reminder that they would be “judged on potential, not performance”, most contestants were plagued by anxiety.
With everyone all hyped up and preparing for their performances, NYconneXions got in touch with a rather relaxed Poh Boon, a member of the Choir. Despite his experience in singing in front of an audience, he was also feeling very anxious as he told us that he had a sore throat a few days ago. With that thought in the back of his mind, he certainly was doing a good job of keeping calm and concentrating on his performance ahead.
Also troubled by a sore throat and fever was student councilor, Hasyimah who sang a soulful number but admitted that, “(she) was not doing her best and could not reach the higher notes.”
For most contestants, however, it was not a sore throat that ruined their performance. Rather, it was the sound system and the technical faults. Joe and Roy, participants in the group category braved criticisms from the audience and technical glitches to belt out their chosen song, ‘Kryptonite’.
Indeed, numerous technical errors to do with the sound system arose during various parts of the performance. When asked about this, the AVA crew, represented by Yue Kiat, declined to give elaborate comments, citing the poor sound system of the lecture theatre as the main cause. Commented Yue Kiat, “I think that it was really no one’s fault that the sound system failed tonight. The EQ settings and sound system of the theatre is suitable for lectures but definitely not for singing.”
Yue Kiat also assures NYJCians that for the finals, none of the technical errors that had occurred that night will repeat itself, provided that the event organizers allows some time for the AVA crew to rehearse beforehand.
All hope was not lost, though. Some contestants manage to outshine others and display their resilience even when the sound system failed not once, but twice in their performance! Zheng Yi who will be remembered by the audience as ‘the girl who had to sing thrice’, managed to awe the 500 strong audience into rapturous applause as soon as she finished singing her song for the third time.
As commented by Mr Sequeira, the teacher-in-charge of The One 2007, “I think everyone did very well, and their courage to go up on stage and sing should be commended. I know that I certainly would not be able to do so.” When asked who the most memorable performer was to him, he answered, “Zheng Yi, definitely.”
When approached by NYconneXions, most of the contestants agreed that they sang better during their own practices than they did on stage. Although accustomed to public addresses, Council president, Lester Chee found that singing in front of such a large crowd was no easy feat. Lester, who sang ‘All or Nothing’ also happened to be one of the few out of the thirty hopefuls who sang an English song.
The contestants’ choices of songs were also picked on by the audience. The discerning audience was always quick to point out albeit quietly; mistakes in pitching and tempo. With judges like these, who needs Simon Cowell? Although every performance was rewarded with applause, evidently, the contestants still had very good reasons to be nervous.
If truth be told, NYconneXions was secretly wondering if the contestants seated at the left side of the theatre were shivering due to anxiety or (for the girls clad in mini skirts and tube tops) due to the subzero temperature of the theatre. Most of the contestants were dressed to the nines, spurring us to re-think whether The One is a fashion parade or indeed, a singing competition. Fashion thoughts aside, however, the 29th Student Council has announced the names of all participants who had made it to the finals, among them, Hasyimah and hot favourite, Poh Boon.
NYconneXions wishes the best of luck to all finalists, and to all NYJCians, remember to catch The One Finals 2007! Tickets are on sale at the council notice board everyday until 9th of February.
By: Sheri Quek & Siti Khadija
Photo courtesy of NYconneXions.