The title of the “first-ever Bama Idol” is up for grabs for those who think they’ve got what it takes to win.

Students living in on-campus residence halls were e-mailed the list of audition times and dates for each residential building last week.

Bama Idol, a singing competition put on by Housing and Residential Communities, is currently in the audition stage of the competition. The winner will receive an iPad.

Like American Idol, there is an audition round and a finale night. The top ten competitors from the audition round will compete in the finale, and by audience vote via text message, the winner will be determined. The finale night will take place on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Ballroom, with free admission.

Bama Idol came from a brainstormed idea between Jenn Glenn, the programming and civic leadership coordinator for Housing and Residential Communities, and Sara Webb, a senior majoring in political science and the programming assistant for Housing and Residential Communities.

The two worked together to create a program to unite the Housing and Residential community.

“It is our hope and goal to create a more connected campus,” Webb said. “We hope that with campus-wide programs like Bama Idol, students will gain a sense of involvement and create new acquaintances with those who they may otherwise not meet.”

The combination of the Fox show “American Idol” and UA students has been successful so far, according to Glenn and Webb.

“This is the first year for Bama Idol, and we are really excited,” Webb said. “There is a tone of support and interest, and we are so thankful for the great feedback we have been receiving.”

Because the competition is still in the audition round, the amount of students competing is unknown, but Glenn and Webb encouraged students to continue to audition.

“We have had many students express interest in auditioning,” Glenn said.

The judges of the competition will also be members of the Housing and Residential community.

“Our judges vary by community,” Webb said. And while the finale judges are still being decided, Webb promises familiarity.

“Each finale judge is very well-known in the housing community,” she said.

Whether you choose to compete in Bama Idol or not, the finale show still promises entertainment, Webb said.

“We put a lot of effort into the finale night, and it will be just as exciting for the audience as it is for those who are involved in the event,” Webb said.

“So far we have seen and heard some very talented students,” Glenn said. “And we look forward to seeing even more.”

Bama Idol audition dates:

Do a Table

3 columns

Column 1 – Date

Column 2 – Residence Halls

Column 3 – Auditon Location

Jan 27 Riverside at Riverside Community Center Jan 28 Rose at Rose Activity Room Jan 31 Paty/Somerville/Palmer/Blount/Friedman @ Blount Classroom Activity Room Feb 1 Tutwiler @ Tutwiler Large Living Room Feb 2 Bryant/ Highlands/ Bryce Lawn/ Smith Woods/The Bluff@ Highland Activity Room Feb 3 Burke/Parham @ Burke Game Room Feb 4 Harris/Byrd/Parker Adams/New Hall @ Harris Hall Living Room

All auditions take place from 7-8 p.m.

The top 10 contestants will move forward to the LIVE Bama Idol Finale on Wednesday,

Feb. 16th @ 7pm in the Ferguson Center Ballroom.