Mountaineer Idol mania has returned to the West Virginia University campus. A record-setting 65 students turned out last week to audition a cappella for a panel of WVU faculty and staff judges.

The top 15 will compete at 8:30 p.m. Friday (Sept. 7) in the Mountainlair ballrooms. The finalists are: GaryAlexAide , a sophomore political science major from Ronceverte; Samantha Bartlow , a senior music major from Chapmanville; Priscilla Brock, a junior pharmacy major from Morgantown; Julie Cerrone , a senior management in information systems major from Bethel Park, Pa.; Chris Earl , a freshman criminology and investigations major from Baltimore; Neil Heard , a graduate student in educational leadership from Garfield Heights, Ohio; Nicole Mata , a freshman exercise physiology major from Scott Depot; Ann McBurney , a second-year nursing student from Charleston; Casey Mehaffey , a junior history major from Dunbar; Wayne Riley , a freshman biology major from Bridgeport; Ryan Russman , a junior music major from Pittsburgh; Dave Slusarick , a senior broadcast news major from Uniontown, Pa.; Jarrell Strickland , a freshman music major from Midland, Pa.; Rachel Viglianco , a freshman music major from St. Albans; and Jessica Zapadka , a freshman journalism major from Pittsburgh.

Modeled after the popular television series,American Idol,the campus competition will take performers through six elimination rounds. Contestants will be scored on their voice, stage presence, song selection and overall performance.

During each round, students perform songs of their choice based on a predetermined musical theme, and the lowest scoring contestants are eliminated each week until the final three remain.

The finale of the fourth annual Mountaineer Idol contest will be Nov. 11 during Mountaineer Week, and the winner will receive a $1,000 prize; first runner-up, $750; and second runner-up, $250.

While there isnt a Simon Cowell among the judges, the Mountaineer Idol panel has its share of experts, said Sonja Wilson, program coordinator.

Some of the judges are themselves singers or performers, while others have a formal education in music,she said.Its nice for the judges to be able to provide useful feedback to the contestants to help them improve their act.

As a special treat, the audience will enjoy a song performed by one of the judges while the scores are tabulated at the end of each round, Wilson added.

Last years winner, Kasey Hott, a junior broadcast journalism major from High View, will host the event along with Nick Bartic, a graduate student in secondary education from Reedsville.

Since winning the contest, Hott has performed at a WVU basketball game, the Miss West Virginia pageant, Family Weekend and events at the Blaney House, home to the Universitys president and family.

The competition schedule is as follows:

  • Friday, Sept. 7First elimination round, contestants choice of song, 8:30 p.m.,Lair ballrooms
  • Friday, Sept. 21Second elimination round,80s music, 8:30 p.m.,Lair ballrooms
  • Friday, Oct. 5Third elimination round, rock music, 8:30 p.m.,Lair food court
  • Friday, Oct. 19Fourth elimination round, country music, 9 p.m., Metropolitan Theatre
  • Friday, Oct. 26Fifth elimination round, solid gold oldies and musicals, 8:30 p.m.,Lair ballrooms
  • Sunday, Nov. 11Finale, 3 p.m., Metropolitan Theatre

Mountaineer Idol is sponsored by Coca-Cola and Karaoke and More and is organized by WVU Student Affairs in partnership with Fox 46 (Dont missAmerican Idolreturning this January to Fox 46).