by Melissa Barringer
Six competitors took a spot on stage last Thursday for the Homecoming Unplugged. All of the performances were musical and included singing, guitar playing and piano. Some musicians sang pop songs while others wrote their own music to be showcased to a full house of listeners.
The show is put on by senior Brittany Roach, Whitworth’s special events and cultural events coordinator. This is Roach’s second year coordinating the show and she said she enjoys seeing what sort of talent Whitworth has to offer and the ambiance created by performances.
“I really love the atmosphere,” Roach said. “It’s a really relaxed environment.”
Roach kicked off the show with a warm greeting to the audience and performers. Comedic performer freshman Caleb Drechsel then proceeded to step into the spotlight as the first competitor of the night.
Drechsel started learning to play the guitar the day of his Unplugged debut. Drechsel only performed the two chords he had mastered along with self-composed lyrics about a heartbreak. Drechsel chose to put a little humor into his performance to do something different.
“I figured everyone else was going to be playing serious songs,” Drechsel said.
Drechsel followed up his guitar playing with an unusual instrument: a toaster he had just bought at Goodwill. While beating away with silverware, Drechsel belted out a tune about toast.
“I was not expecting a song about toast,” sophomore competitor Ryan Ward said.
Acts throughout the night included performances by Ward, junior David Bunch and freshman Quincy Cooper, senior Nathan Tegrotenhuis, freshman Ethan Johnson and the winner of the evening, senior Christopher Adams.
Adams played three songs on the piano which he wrote himself. Adams has worked on his songs for years and finds the inspiration for his music in his surroundings.
“I get inspired by nature and God’s work,” Adams said. “I can just look at it and get inspired.”
Adams said he enjoys his hobby, but his favorite part is being able to play his music for people.
Second place was the duet performance by Bunch and Cooper, followed by Drechsel in third.
One of the many audience members that evening was sophomore Kiana Young. Young did not have a favorite pick for the evening but her favorite part of the night was all the music.
“I just like hearing the different music,” Young said.
Roach deemed the Homecoming Unplugged a success.
“I think the Unplugged went amazingly well,” Roach said. “ Everyone was so talented.”
Her advice for those interested in performing in the future would be to enjoy showcasing their talent in the inviting Unplugged environment.
Students can compete in the Unplugged talent competition each month to win a slot for another talent competition called Pirate Idol held in April. Every Unplugged competition, two people are chosen from about six performers to move on to Pirate Idol.
This variety of musical talent was the first showcase of the year and more will come in the future. The next one will be Nov. 8 and sign-ups are first come, first serve. The online school events calendar has the rest of the Unplugged nights along with Pirate Idol lined up. Be on the look out for the next Unplugged sign-ups to either perform or enjoy the talent of Whitworth.