While Moms Weekend is filled with sit-down brunches and musical performances, the Illini Idol Mom’s Day concert provides a unique alternative for all attendees. The show, to be held Sunday at 12 p.m. in the Illini Union Courtyard Cafe, gives University students a chance to show off their singing abilities. The lineup will also feature the top three contestants from January’s Illini Idol: Call for Singers competition.
Juan Acevedo,programming coordinator for the Illini Union, was in charge of setting up both events and was very pleased with the talent level of the students who competed.
“They were really good,” Acevedo said. “Some students seemed to already be close to the professional level, but just didn’t have the exposure yet.”
Xinxin Ye,student marketing supervisor for the Illini Union, was in charge of promoting the January event and was delighted by the talent the competition produced.
“Overall, this singing competition was one of the best I’ve seen from the college level,” Ye said.
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With such stiff competition, it is no surprise that the three contestants who emerged as the finalists are all extremely gifted singers and looking forward to performing this Sunday. Chris Ponicki,freshman in LAS, got second place in the Illini Idol competition and is ready to get on stage to perform again. Ponicki is a fan of the music from his parents’ generation and is planning to play the classics that will make his mom remember her college years.
“I sing a lot of older stuff and am looking forward to picking songs that the moms will enjoy by bringing back some American classics,” Ponicki said.
The setlist will also include this generation’s favorites.
“I know that I am singing a whole range of stuff, so hopefully they’ll be something everyone can enjoy,” said Sara Brumm, freshman in DGS.
Brumm won January’s Illini Idol competition and therefore will perform a longer setlist than the other two performers. She is no stranger to performing in front of an audience since she’s very involved in singing, having been involved in both her high school’s choir and show choir. Brumm said she is excited to perform in the Illini Idol Mom’s Day concert and is confident that this event is perfectly suited to entertain both students and moms.
“Music is something that brings people together,” Brumm said. “I think that’s something both moms and their kids can relate to and do together.”
Jed can be reached at [email protected].
