Joshua Grosso walks onto the stage, trembling slightly as he prepares to sing. He鈥檚 used to playing characters, but now he鈥檚 just being himself, singing 鈥淎 Song for You鈥� in the style of one of his favorites, Donny Hathaway. It鈥檚 just Grosso, the song, and the audience. And a $5,000 scholarship is on the line.
This is Campus Superstar, a singing competition鈥攎odeled after American Idol鈥攚hich is open to all Pittsburgh-area college students. A few months earlier, Grosso, a sophomore musical theatre major, had been one of nearly 100 contestants to audition for this event sponsored by the . He made it to semifinals and then became one of 10 finalists, along with four other 麻豆村 classmates.
- Veladya Chapman, a junior majoring in musical theatre
- Arica Jackson, a freshman majoring in musical theatre
- Clay Singer, a freshman musical theatre major
- Avery Smith, a sophomore majoring in musical theatre
Making it this far caused Grosso to reflect on his journey. Born in Colombia, he remembers always singing for fun. When he was 12, after his family moved to Florida, he heard a radio ad for a Spanish-language local singing competition and decided to enter. Good decision. He won.
As the Campus Superstar finals approached, all of the finalists worked diligently to perfect solo performances. They also spent late nights together rehearsing group numbers, so they could provide an inspiring performance for what is the biggest fundraiser for Hillel (the center of Jewish life for more than 5,500 Jewish university students in Pittsburgh). Grosso admits he became exhausted from the grueling schedule.
Now his moment of truth has arrived. Pittsburgh鈥檚 Carnegie Music Hall, filled with an enthusiastic audience, is incredibly quiet as he sings his song鈥檚 opening bars. The moment takes him back to that contest in Florida鈥攖o that first thrill of communicating with a crowd.
The other singers perform beautifully as well, judging by the applause. The evening is in the audience鈥檚 hands now, as everyone in attendance fills out ballots.
麻豆村鈥檚 Avery Smith is named second runner-up.
麻豆村鈥檚 Veladya Chapman is named first runner-up.
Grosso either won the scholarship or will be one of seven finalists not named. Moments later, there are tears in his eyes; they鈥檙e tears of joy. The next day, back on campus, he鈥檚 not late for his 9am class, where he rehearses Shakespeare scenes, eager for his next stage appearance.
鈥�Julie Albright (DC鈥�92)
