Congratulations Chantelle (11TH 2005) for winning the title of Rutherford Idol for 2005 and the $100 prize!

Once again after a long audition process and a very successful grand final night Rutherford Idol has come to an end for another year.

Unfortunately 2005 is the end of Rutherford Idol, but coming soon is Rutherford College Talent Quest, so whether your talent is singing, playing music, comedy or acting, start preparing your act and look out for more details to come in late term two.

Rutherford Idol 2005 was a roaring success yet again, digging up even more great talent from our students. The auditions saw our three judges, Mr Mataia, Ms Geddes and then Head Boy, Ryan Benjamin, telling it like it was; making it obvious from the very first moment that they wanted much more than just ‘good’ singing from our contestants – and that’s exactly what they got!

Twenty-two of Rutherford’s best singers were passed through to the Second Round, where the judges had the task of whittling them down to 14 semi-finalists.

After a holiday break, to choose and practice songs, things heated up as our contestants prepared for huge lunchtime performances in front of voting students and teachers. Guest judges Mr Lee (Drama) and Miss Paraha (Dance) gave some extra support to our contestants during this round, as it was obvious our resident judges would take no prisoners at what was a very late stage of the competition.

After two sellout lunchtime performances, Rutherford had spoken. Voted through to the Final 8 were Tim (11OP), Janet (9MJ), Chantelle (11TH), Ricky (12SM), Elisapeta (13BL), Ashleigh (9OL) and TeKura (9LD). This left just one place, the wildcard and our three judges quickly decided that Matthew (13SI) was most deserving of this second chance.

The Grand Final was on the night of Friday August 26 and the hall was packed with voters.The Idols made their decision hard but the judges, including Guest Judge Mrs Klaassen, pointed them in the right direction, giving high praise to Janet, Elisapeta, Chantelle and Ashleigh’s performances. However, every Idol who performed justified their place in the Top 8 with the crowd enjoying every minute of the entertainment.

But every show must end and the audience decided that Chantelle Waititi of 11TH would now hold the title of Rutherford Idol 2005, for her performance of the song “Dance With My Father”. A huge thank you must go out to all of the teachers and students who made Rutherford Idol happen this year, it was an enormous success and showed the community the best of our singing and entertainment talents.

Check out the video highlights of Rutherford Idol 2005 here.

Hosts:

Steven Grubner

Jaycee Maunsell-McMenamin

Semi final Hosts/Field Reporters:

Troy Blackman

Christine Stucki

JUDGES

Mr Mataia

Mr Mataia, PE teacher and BoyzIImen fan is the only original judge to remain on the judging panel for 2005. In Rutherford Idol 2004 Mataia gained a reputation for the being the harshest on the judging panel for his tell it like the way it is style and unashamed honestly. Very soon he was tagged the ‘Simon Cowell’ (the mean judge of American Idol) of Rutherford Idol. He told it the way it was, and 2005 was no different. Here are some of his most memorable quotes:

“Have you ever sung to your friends?” (No) “That’s probably why they’re still your friends. Singing is not you, mate”

“You sing like a little mouse. I can hardly hear you and you’re like five metres away from me mate”

“You can’t sing that well mate”

“I’m being straight up with you, because that’s the kinda guy I am”

“Do you sing in front of anyone else?” (Sometimes) “And what do they say?” (Well my dad tells me to shut up because I sing too much) “Well I’m going to be like your dad OK?...Not too pretty”

“I don’t know why you walked through those doors to be honest, because I don’t know if you can hear what we’re hearing, but from where I’m sitting, that was sub-par man”

Ryan Benjamin

Ryan (13BL 2005) is the student judge on the panel, replacing Chris Elliot (13BL 2004) of Rutherford Idol 2004. Ryan brings along a wealth of experience, having been studying drama and music throughout his years at Rutherford College. He has been a member of the school choir Jipers (till 2002), has appeared in numerous school productions such as Westside Story and Footroot Flats, and even directed the play Ophelia Thinks Harder in 2005. Apart from being a judge, he is also director of Rutherford Idol 2005 and will provide the finalists with vocal coaching.

Ms Geddes

Ms Geddes the HOD in music replaces Ms Klaassen who was a judge in Rutherford Idol 2004. Geddes has returned to the school after a little break and adds to the judging panel her depth of knowledge in music and singing. She has directed numerous school productions at Rutherford and has been in charge of the school choir from time to time.

Guest Judges

Mrs Klaassen – Grand Final

Miss Paraha – Semifinal

Mr Lee – Semifinal

Chantelle 11TH – WINNER

Grand Final: Dance with my Father

Semi Final: Back at One

Round Two: Amazing Grace

Round One: Amazing Grace

Janet 9MJ – runner up

Grand Final: Hero

Semi Final: I Believe I Can Fly

Round Two: This is Tonight

Round One: Arithmetic

Elisapeta 13BL – second runner up

Grand Final: I want to Dance with Somebody

Semi Final: Fallin’

Round Two: Without You

Round One: Some Kind of Wonderful

Tim 11OP – finalist

Grand Final: Bohemian Rhapsody

Semi Final: A Whole New World

Round Two: The Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly

Round One: Bohemian Rhapsody

Matthew 13SI - finalist

Grand Final: Adeaze

Semi Final: Lean on Me

Round Two: Lean on Me

Round One:

Te Kura 9LD - finalist

Grand Final: Mr Melody

Semi Final: Something Stupid

Round Two: Something Stupid

Round One:

Ashleigh 9OL - finalist

Grand Final: I believe I can Fly

Semi Final: In the Still of the Night

Round Two: Getting Stronger

Round One: Hero

Ricky 12SM – finalist

Grand Final: Soldier

Semi Final: Amazing Grace

Round Two: He Still Loves Me

Round One: He Still Loves Me

Akiyo 12SM - semi-finalist

Jessica 13BL - semi-finalist

Andy 10ST - semi-finalist

Emily 13BL - semi-finalist