Dreamstime

1. Gotye – Someone I Used To Know
Wouter “Wally” De Backer, the voice behind the new pop sensation Gotye, hit #2 on the Billboard Top 100 with this haunting tune of broken relationships. With a smooth voice that soars in the chorus, “Someone I Used To Know” is the perfect accompaniment for any angst, whether it be the stress of finals or a break-up.

2. Fun. – We Are Young
This is the ultimate anthem of summer, the perfect soundtrack to parties, working out or late night drives. The single, featured on a Chevy commercial during the Super Bowl, features a driving beat and quirky vocals makes this song a summer staple.

3. Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me, Maybe
The newest pop princess to hit the market churns out a saccharine, yet somehow irresistible tune. The Canadian singer got her start on Canadian Idol, and her newest single has recently been receiving airplay in the States. Orchestral backings to a bouncy melody will make this song a favorite of summer 2012.

One of the first things that many people notice about the Northern Virginia Community College community is the variety of different talents that the students possess. This is why it’s no surprise that students in Professor Chris Stallings’ PHT 130 (Video Production I) class on the Woodbridge campus would come together with other students to help create the first music video for the band WorstKase Scenario, fronted by former student Dave Bausch.

The band, which was recently signed to an independent label, needed to create a new music video to promote their song, “Dangerous Girl.” Bausch, a NOVA tutor, reached out to Stallings, who felt that it would be a perfect project for his students in his PHT 130 course. In addition to his students, Stallings worked with 522 Productions, based out of the Alexandria campus, and obtained an Educational Foundation grant to provide “an at-cost service favor for the students.”

The band was previously known as Worst Case Scenario but changed their name after being signed.

Using a short film script that Stallings had on hand, the students in the course worked to fit the script to the song, “Dangerous Girl,” which is a story on how beauty is from within, not what’s on the outside. In the video, a “dangerous girl,” uses her sex appeal in a position of a flower vendor on a boardwalk to get the attention of male passersby, taking away the attention that the beautiful and personable female fish vendor would be receiving. This video theme syncs up well with the meaning of the song, which speaks to the power women possess with their sex appeal, and how this can be dangerous.

The cast for the music video, along with Bausch and guitarist Ian Spencer, included both professionals and college students. Shea Davies, an actress based out of New York City, played the role of the fish vendor with a “heart of gold.” Kim Irwin, a NOVA student, played the role of the dangerous flower vendor girl, and was made up by Tiffany Roop of TDR Artistry, the on-set makeup expert. In supporting roles, America Twiggs, the daughter of NOVA student Kellee Twiggs, and Jack Mourand, a local boy who auditioned for the PHT 130 class, came together to form a symbiotic cast that worked well on set. In addition to these main characters, there were other students who played the role of extras on set, helping to complete the video, shot at Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant & Crabhouse.

With a great deal of patience and some much needed sunblock to battle the balmy and sunny spring day, the cast and crew completed the video shoot in one day. Stallings made sure to involve all of his film students in the various processes of planning and post-production editing.

Looking back on the experience Stallings commented, “The most memorable moment for me is not wanting to eat seafood for weeks after the shoot, after watching poor Shea gut a fish over and over again as the insides rotted away in the warm sun.” Another funny takeaway from the shoot involved Stallings’ students in the planning phase. “The first prop we secured months ago were numerous buckets that were meant to be used as trash cans for the fish residue. The buckets were kept in a student’s vehicle for months, and every time we secured another prop, we always joked, at least we have the buckets too. Well come time for the production day and every student that was responsible for bringing something fulfilled their task, except for the student with the buckets actually forgot to bring those darn buckets, and we had to improvise,” Stallings commented.

For all those interested in viewing the music video for WorstKase Scenario, the video, “Dangerous Girl,” will be premiering on the Woodbridge campus on Wednesday, April 25 at 3 p.m., at the Spring Fling event. There were will be a crab pickin’ hosted by Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant & Crabhouse, and the band will play a live show.

Stephanie Tipple and Dave Bausch both work as tutors at NOVA’s Woodbridge campus.

Winner of the college division, Martina Green, thanked her supporters, family and friends after votes came in naming her the 2012 NOVA Idol. Photo by Traci J. Brooks

An emotional Joao Versos, from Potomac Falls High School, reacts to the news that he won the High School Division of NOVA Idol 2012. Photo by Traci J. Brooks

By Sofia Bergstrom

Staff Reporter

“American Idol wishes it had this kind of talent.”

Those were the exact words of Tony Perkins, TV-personality at Fox 5 News and celebrity judge during this year’s NOVA Idol final at Schlesinger Hall on March 23. A final which was once again a great success with outstanding performances by talented students.

After eight weeks of tough vocal training by vocal coach Juanita Williams, 10 talented Northern Virginia Community College students, picked from 250 auditions, were ready to showcase their musical talents at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center on the college’s Alexandria campus. Campus provost Dr. Peter Maphumulo welcomed the audience and promised that the contestants would “knock their socks off.”

Javad Jarrahi kicked off the collegiate competition and set the bar high for the following contestants with his interpretation of Stevie Wonders “Isn’t she lovely?,” which judge Kenji Brown called a “slam dunk,” referring to his soothing voice and comical dance moves. And the judges did not put any restraint on their praise when commenting on the performances that were to come.

“You nailed it. I got cold chills all over my arms,” said judge Winfield Parker, renowned saxophonist, to second performer Elaine Lopez after she finished singing her version of Christina Aguilera’s “The Voice Within.” Perkins agreed: “That was flawless. Absolutely remarkable.”

Dr. Brenda Lewis-Holmes, Managing Director of NOVA Idol and Assistant Dean of Communication Studies and Theatre at Alexandria, welcomes the crowd to the performance at the beginning of the evening. Photo by Traci J. Brooks

On a similar note, Donevian Snipes’ energetic performance, both vocally and choreography wise, carrying out Chris Brown’s “Try a little tenderness,” impressed all the judges and made Perkins burst out: “American Idol wishes it had this kind of talent!”

In addition, Snipes’ energy on stage spread among the audience like a contagious virus causing people to smile, cheer, whistle and dance like there was no tomorrow.

Had competed before

Many of the contestants were no strangers to NOVA Idol and had competed in the final competition several times before. One of the contestants who was back to seek revenge was Martina Green who, when she entering the stage dressed in a dreamlike cream-colored dress, raised the decibel level in the venue significantly as family and friends cheered her on.

The high volume in the venue continued throughout the entire performance as she nailed one high pitch after the other. Besides stunning the audience with her wide vocal range, she blew away the judges who ended up giving her standing ovations when she sang to the last tones to the powerful ballad “Home” by Stephanie Mills.

Jonah Fishel from Potomac Falls High School performs "I Wish I Knew How" by The Derek Trucks Band at the 2012 NOVA Idol finals. Jonah finished 2nd in the High School section of the competition. Photo by Kama Storie

In addition to receiving standing ovations, judges Brown and Perkins made some

overwhelming statements. The former asked if she wanted to sign a recording contract, while the latter made a prediction that he would see Green at the Grammy Awards in the future.

After an intermission filled with acts including hip hop artists, rappers and Balinese traditional dancing, the emcees Greg Schuckman and Caitlin C. Uze, last year’s Miss Virginia, came up on stage to reveal the results. Results that, just like previous years, took both the judges’ and audience members’ votes into account.

The judges, which consisted of Perkins, Parker, Brown, Colie Williams and Lucy Holsonbake, based their decisions on song selection, vocal consistency, pronunciation, presentation and interpretation.

Green was announced the winner of the college division, followed by first runner up Snipes, and third place winner Kelley Kime. Joao Versos from Potomac Falls High School earned the title of winner of the high school competition.

Competition gets better every year

Green, who can now proudly call herself winner of NOVA Idol 2012, was glowing backstage when the final was over.

“This feels amazing,” she said while being surrounded by family members and friends who hugged and complemented her. “I could not really believe it,” answered Green when she was asked what went through her mind when she realized that she had won. “I had some really strong competition by the other contestants. They all have true talent.”

“She is truly amazing, supertalented and just incredible,” said Perkins of Green. Even though he was an experienced NOVA Idol judge, he admitted that it was tough to judge this year’s final. “There were four contestants that were very close. It could have gone either way.”

“There is no doubt in my mind when I say that these four contestants were better than the line-up in American Idol,” added Perkins.

Students and director pleased

Not only were the judges impressed with this year’s contestants. When exiting Schlesinger Hall, many audience members were talking loudly about the talent they had seen throughout the evening.

“They all had great voices,” remarked Tiffany Pantow, a NOVA student at the Alexandria campus.

Elaine Lopez performs "The Voice Within" by Christina Aguilera in the college division performance round. Photo by Traci J. Brooks

Her friend Thais Ceramori agreed and added that she saw star quality in most of tonight’s contestants. “They are all going to be big some day,” she said with great confidence.

“I am really proud of our students. They are truly jewels,” said Dr. Brenda Lewis-Holmes, who has been the director of NOVA Idol since its founding in 2004. She also revealed that there are plans of expanding the event next year to collaborate with George Mason University, as well as booking more intermission entertainment to show off other talents that students have.

“This event is not only about music, it’s about unity and bringing students from all the campuses together,” she said. “American Idol got nothing on us.”

In other words, you do not have to turn on your television in order to experience exceptional singers of star quality. There is a new event for that: NOVA Idol.

Javad Jarrahi sings "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder in the 2012 NOVA Idol competition. Photo by Kama Storie

The panel of judges, ranging from musicians, producers and professors, gave feedback on the performers' song choices, stage presence and interpretation of their songs. Photo by Traci J. Brooks

College division performer Erika Anderson sings "Momma Knows Best" by Jessie J for the crowd. photo by Traci J. Brooks

Gregory McBride-Bey sings "We're Not Making Love" by Dru Hill at the 2012 NOVA Idol finals. Photo by Kama Storie

Jeff Young performs "Better Than I Know Myself" by Adam Lambert in the college division of NOVA Idol. Photo by Traci J. Brooks

The first place winner of the 2012 NOVA Idol competition, Martina Green, sings "Home" by Stephanie Mills. Photo by Kama Storie

Martina Green sings "Home by Stephanie Mills at the 2012 NOVA Idol finals, winning first place in this year's competition. Photo by Kama Storie

Kelley Kime sings "At Last" by Etta James at the 2012 NOVA Idol finals. Kelley took third place in this year's competition. Photo by Kama Storie

Daran Lopez-Villanueva sings "The Impossible Dream" by Brian Stokes Michaels at the 2012 NOVA Idol finals. Photo by Kama Storie

Lydia Mockabee sings "Giving Up is Hard to Do" by Jennifer Holiday at the 2012 NOVA Idol finals. Photo by Kama Storie

On March 23 in the Schlesinger Concert Hall at Alexandria campus, Martina Green won the college division of NOVA Idol with her performance of "Home" by Stephanie Mills. Photo by Traci Brooks

On March 23 in the Schlesinger Concert Hall at Alexandria campus, Joao Versos won the high school division of NOVA Idol with his performance of "Purple Rain" by Prince. Photo by Traci Brooks

Winner of the college division of NOVA Idol, Martina Green performed "Home" by Stephanie Mills, to a standing ovation from the judges and an appreciative crowd. Photo by Traci Brooks

Winner of the high school division of NOVA Idol, Joao Versos of Potomac Falls High School, performed "Purple Rain" by Prince to an enthusiastic crowd. Photo by Traci Brooks

Photo courtesy of The Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra

Press Release

The Alexandria music department of Northern Virginia Community College will host the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m., in the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center. All NOVA faculty, staff and students are invited to attend this free performance.

The evening is “History of Big Band Music and its Practitioners.” The event falls within Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday specifically) and will trace the history of big band music from the early 1930s to present day.

The jazz orchestra is a 17-piece big band in residence at the historic Bohemian Caverns in Washington, D.C. The only house band in the District, the BCJO performs every Monday night at 2001 11th Street NW at U Street.

“History of the Big Band” is an artistic performance and educational outreach, designed to explore the developments in jazz music and the big band repertoire from the inception of jazz with Louis Armstrong through the composers and arrangers active today. The program consists of important pieces from the bands of Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thad Jones, Woody Herman, Claude Thornhill, Stan Kenton and others.

The Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra is directed by Brad Linde, and the NOVA Alexandria Jazz Ensemble is directed by John Kocur.

Along with the performance and program notes, the group will offer a master class for students to learn from and. NOVA students are invited to participate in a clinic discussing key elements of style and techniques exemplified by the greatest big bands, in addition to building vocabulary for improvisation. The master class will take place at Feb. 21 at 2 p.m., in the Tyler Building, room 130 (AT-130). It’s free and open to the public.

For additional information, visit nvcc.edu/schlesingercenter or bohemiancavernsjazzorchestra.com.

Photo by: KJ Mushung

Music and gaming are quite possibly two of the most popular pastimes for college students. So it’s no surprise that MAGFest, a music and gaming festival that was held very close to Northern Virginia Community College’s Alexandria campus last year, completely sold out. People had to be turned away at the door. That’s why the event has been moved to National Harbor, so it can accommodate more bands, games and people.

This year’s MAGFest will take place Thursday, Jan. 5 through Sunday, Jan. 8.

If you haven’t experienced it, MAGFest is an annual event in the D.C. area dedicated to the celebration of video games and video game music. The event offers 24-hour console, arcade and PC game rooms, usually 12 live video game cover bands, a vendors’ area, along with guest speakers from the video game industry. The festival also features a jam space available to all attendees for impromptu music performances.

In addition to providing bands that play the gamut from rage to melodic and tons of games — from brand new to antique arcade — MAGFest will also hold its second annual charity auction benefiting Child’s Play.

According to MAGFest’s public relations rep, Nick Marinelli, Child’s Play was created by the web comic Penny-Arcade in 2003 in order to raise money for toys and games for children in hospitals. Donations are used to purchase new consoles, peripherals and games for hospitals and therapy facilities. These donations allow children to enjoy age-appropriate entertainment, interact with their peers, friends and family, and provide vital distraction from an otherwise unpleasant experience.

Last year’s charity auction raised over $5,500.

Thousands of dollars worth of merchandise have already been donated from bands, video game developers, electronics manufacturers and more. The auction will be held the last day of the festival.

For more details about MAGFest, visit magfest.org.

Photo by: KJ Mushung

Photo courtesy of MAGFest

Trumpet player Chris Gallo, guitarist Ian Spencer and vocalist Dave Bausch of the band Dave Bausch and the Worst Case Scenario take a break from practicing. Photo by: Stephanie Tipple.

Dave Bausch and the Worst Case Scenario decided to make it a best case scenario on Thursday, Dec. 1, when they held a charity concert at the Woodbridge campus. The event, hosted by the Tutoring Club, was an effort to raise money for the local ACTS food bank by selling refreshments during the concert. (ACTS stands for Action in Community Through Service.)

The band, based out of the Stafford area, is an organic combination of ska, rock and R&B musical stylings, with a theatrical stage presence that leaves a distinct impression. They are led by lead singer and producer Dave Bausch.

Dave Bausch and the Worst Case Scenario originally started as a solo act, leading to production of a CD that is available for purchase on iTunes. Over the past several months, this party of one expanded to include Ian Spencer on guitar and Chris Gallo playing trumpet.

This event was a chance for the band to get their name out in the local music scene.

The crowd was energetic and vibrant, enthused to hear songs like “Not You” and “Our Alibi,” which could be part of the CD that the band hopes to record in the near future. The songs’ lyrics are based on real-life situations that many college students can probably relate to.

Bausch’s main passion in life is his music, and he hopes that the band will be able to “make it” with their unique approach to music and their personal fashion, which included a trench coat, a zoot suit and a Hawaiian-patterned shirt.

When speaking about concertgoers’ experience when attending one of their shows, Bausch said, “If you enjoy dance music that makes you want to sit down, then come see our shows.”

Almost $300 was raised for the ACTS food bank in Dumfries.

* The band was previously known as Worst Case Scenario but have since changed their name to WorstKase Scenario (with the first two words written together on purpose).

Daquan Paige performs "Swim Good" by Frank Ocean at the Loudoun NOVA Idol auditions. Photo by Carina Thornton.

Ana Guerra
Staff Reporter

It’s back. Northern Virginia Community College’s popular singing competition, NOVA Idol, has returned and the crown is up for grabs yet again. NOVA Idol has gained much popularity throughout the past years through intense competition and even a little controversy.

Last year’s first-place winner, Jasmine Williams, is also the daughter of the vocal coach for NOVA Idol. The first-place achievement by Williams raised eyebrows, leaving people wondering: can the judges cast a sincerely unbiased vote when a colleague’s daughter is competing and a large amount of money is on the line?

That’s right. Students are not just competing for a title or a medal. Four thousand dollars is awarded to the first-place winner. The second-place winner receives $2,500. And $1,000 goes to the third-place winner.

The cash prizes do not have to be used toward schooling; the money can be utilized as the winners see fit.

This year’s auditions ran from Nov. 3 to Nov. 15 at the various campuses.

Those chosen will move on to the semi-finals, judged by previous NOVA Idol winners, to be held Friday, Jan. 20, 2012. Students are invited to attend this performance. The judges will select six contestants to perform at the finale on March 23 in the Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at the Alexandria campus. The votes of both the audience and judges will be tallied to determine the first, second, and third-place winners.

For more information, visit NOVAIdol.com.

Performing "Chasing Pavements" by Adele, Krista Frost sings for a chance to move on to the semi-finals at NOVA Idol. Photo by Carina Thornton.

Zach Boren sings "Your Song" as performed by Ewan McGregor in the movie, "Moulin Rouge." Photo by Carina Thornton.

Bria Daniels, a student at Potomac Falls High School, performs "Hypothetically" by Lyfe Jennings. Photo by Traci Brooks.

Kristin Deegan, a student at Robinson Secondary School, earns positive feedback from the judges for her rendition of "Who You Are" by Jessie J. Photo by Traci Brooks.

Erik Johnson, a student at Loudoun Campus and employee at the UPS Store, sings "Superstar" by Luther Vandross. Photo by Traci Brooks.

Erika Anderson sings "I'm Going Down" by Mary J. Blige while auditioning at the Alexandria campus. Photo by KJ Mushung.

Robert Duquette auditions for the 2012 NOVA Idol competition by singing "The Christmas Song" by Mel Torme. Photo by Kama Storie.

Jin Shin auditions for the 2012 NOVA Idol competition by singing "Open Arms" by Journey. Photo by Kama Storie.

Alexandra Langley auditions for the 2012 NOVA Idol competition by singing "Hero" by Mariah Carey. Photo by Kama Storie.

A lively performance by Mari Gragne, a ministry student from Woodbridge campus. Photo by Dave Gent.

Vanessa Lopez, an education student, at the NOVA Idol auditions. Photo by Dave Gent.

H. James William Jenkins, an engineering student, impresses the judges panel with his own song. Photo by Dave Gent.

Courtney Quick, a student from Manassas, likes what she hears from the judges. Photo by Dave Gent.

Kyung "Sophia" Lim, a science student from Manassas, performs for the judges at the NOVA Idol auditions. Photo by Dave Gent.

Matt Nathanson brought his All Night Noise tour to D.C.'s infamous 9:30 club for two sold out performances on September 27 and 28. He entertained the crowd with his signature wit, unexpected covers and heartfelt songs. Photo by Traci Brooks.

Matt Nathanson at the 9:30 club. Photo by Traci Brooks.

Mark Sawasky, world renowned percussionist, and NOVA Music student, gives audience members a chance to try his world instruments during the kickoff of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations at Annandale campus. Photo by Kama Storie.

As students made their way up the stairs toward the CF plaza and cafeteria at the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College on Sept. 21, one could hear loud music playing and singing but quickly realize it wasn’t in English. What they would have been hearing might have been a live Mariachi band, a salsa or bachata singer, or a Reggaeton duo, all of which were played that afternoon as part of the Hispanic Heritage Festival put on by the Hispanic Student Union.

Ivonne Alonzo, vice president of the HSU spoke of the importance to have different types of music in hopes of making other students aware that the Hispanic culture and its people are not “simple people that are all about Reggaeton.”

Reggaeton is a type of music characterized by a fusion of Latin rhythms and hip-hop or rap. It quickly spread worldwide due to its contagious beats along with its risque dance style commonly known as “perreo” which means “doggie” referring to the explicit sexual overtones. Richard Bautista, the advisor to the HSU, also expressed the importance of telling others about the diversity of the Hispanic community and noted that this was a way to show and tell.

The festival kept the students’ attention by interacting with them. Two students from the the club came on stage to give salsa and bachata dance lessons, and many of the boys and girls standing around didn’t have to be asked twice to join in and start learning the moves. A Zumba instructor was also present to give a high-energy aerobics lesson that incorporated music in Spanish with fast-pace rhythms.

HSU hosted other events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month. A special speaker and poet was featured and a workshop about music and instruments of Central America and Latin America was held.

Mark Sawasky, world renowned percussionist, and NOVA Music student, demonstrates world percussion instruments during the kickoff of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations at Annandale campus. Sawasky is sitting on a Peruvian drum called a Cahon. He holds a Brazillian instrument called a Berimbau, and he taps the beat with his foot on an auxilliary percussion wooden block. This brilliant musician has studied with teachers from around the world, and has toured all 50 states with his band, Immigrant Sun. You can find Sawasky's music on iTunes, Amazon.com, and Facebook. Photo by Kama Storie.