BY DAVID LI
Today is the last day to sign up for what has become one of Northwestern and Dordt’s most-anticipated traditions: NCDC. Tryouts for the singing competition are this Monday and Tuesday from 8 to 11 p.m. If students would like to sign up for a tryout and haven’t yet, they can sign up online. The link to the sign up was sent out in an email from Aaron Beadner, the director of student programs, before spring break. However, the Student Activities Council is accepting walk-ins at the tryouts to encourage last-minute participants.
This year NW is looking to end Dordt’s winning streak.
“For the past two years Dordt has won NCDC and this needs to be the year that that changes,” Beadner said. “We’re really hoping our best and most talented singers decide to be a part of NCDC.”
Northwestern has already won one aspect of NCDC. The 2014 NCDC logo was designed by Megan Timmer, whose logo design was selected out of 11 submissions from students at both NW and Dordt.
Every year, NW and Dordt alternate the responsibility of planning NCDC. This year, Dordt is in charge. Dordt has said there will not be any celebrity special guest this year. Another difference in the competition from last year to this year is that contestants don’t have to select their songs based on a theme, so students can look forward to hearing a variety of genres at each competition.
Northwestern will be hosting the preliminary round of only NW singers and the semifinal round of both NW and Dordt singers in Christ Chapel. Finals will be held at Dordt.
Elle Helmkamp, the student activities coordinator, said she looks forward to the event in hopes of ending NW’s losing streak.
“It’s always a fun event can be a surprise for people. Many see their friends on stage with talents they might not have known about, but we need some serious acts to outperform Dordt this time,” Helmkamp said.
The cash prize for the winning group or individual is $500. Preliminaries will take place on Friday, March 21, semifinals will happen on Saturday, April 5, and finals are Saturday, April 12. Doors open at 8:45 p.m. Friday. Students will be voting with either tokens at the event or online.
