By AMAL TLAIGE
Contributing Writer
Come see your peers and St. Rose students perform their musical hearts out at St. Rose’s annual musical competition, Garage to Glory.
The College of Saint Rose will be holding their fourth annual local music competition, Garage to Glory, on April 12, 2013 at 7 p.m. It will be held in the Communications Building at Jacks Place, introducing five local bands each playing 15 minutes of their own music. The performances will take place in front of audience members, students, faculty and the judges who will ultimately decide who the winner is. First place winners will receive a very professional music video and recording time in the St. Rose studio.
On March 21, the competition dwindled down to ten bands, but only five can compete. Voting for the bands has been closed off as of Thursday, March 28. Fans have visited the Times Union Blog and voted for their favorite band to go through to the finals. The band, “The Response Ability” has received the most votes totaling in at 235, and is the first finalist announced for the competition. The remaining four finalists will be announced Thursday, April 4 and will be selected by a group of judges.
Currently, the 10 semi-finalists are The Hearing Aides, The Meishlunday, The Primrose Path, Puddlejumper, Above the Flood, The Assortment of Crayons, Completely Over-Rated, Digital Dharma, Drew and the Grand Spectacular and The Response-Ability. All bands are required to be local unsigned talent, at least 18 years or older, they must play original music, and be able to perform on Friday, April 12, at 7 p.m.
Michael Hickey, a senior music industry major at St. Rose was the drummer of the band, Between the Arctic who won last years Garage to Glory. Hickey explains what it was like, “It was a pretty exciting experience. I had played battle of the bands type shows before and this was definitely the most extravagant thing I had gotten the opportunity to compete in. Getting interviewed about the music and being videotaped while performing was also quite impressive, and of course mildly intimidating too.”
Matthew Woods a sophomore communications student at St. Rose attended the event last year and had a great time, “There were many different bands with contrasting sounds and styles, it was fun to watch. This year should be no different,” said Woods. When asked which band he was rooting for Woods stated, “The Meishlunday! They are really good! And Drew and the Grand Spectacular.”
While some may think that the competition can be easily won, hard work is a necessity, “We practiced quite regularly in preparation for the contest, but it was definitely well worth it, I’d say,” said Hickey. After winning the competition, Between the Arctic was able to use recording time in the St. Rose studio, “We ended up recording three songs and an interlude,” said Hickey. The band also just finished filming their music video for their song, “Hide and Seek”.
Hickey states that the current bands should practice as much as possible because the competition is tough. He also explains that a support system is greatly appreciated, “Students should go to support original music because their colleagues are some of the musicians performing in the competition.”
Lauren Halligan, a Saint Rose senior communications student also attended the event in previous years and thinks it gives bands a chance to really put themselves out there. “Garage to glory is a great opportunity for bands to compete on a local level and build a good reputation within the Saint Rose community,” said Halligan.
Come support your fellow classmates, friends and students as they work their way out of the garage and toward reaching their musical goals. The night will be a fun filled event with original music, creative melodies and thoughtful lyrics. Watch as the intense musical battle plays out.
