Contest of the Best

Of all the opportunities on campus to get involved, why not go for the ones with cash prizes? The $400 grand prize is hard not to notice, with the posters and advertisements around Read Center, but the talent of the contestants is even harder to miss.

One of those contestants is Read resident Brant Craft. Brant has been diligently practicing since the day he noticed the sign outside Landes's Dining Room.


Brant uses the music practice rooms in the basement of Read, which are open to any residents. Many are equipped with pianos, and as you walk through the winding basement halls whether to rent a music practice room yourself or just to get a sandwich at El Bistro, you pass doors bursting with piano music ranging from beginning scales to Bach.


One of Brant's other favorite places to practice is outside the University East and West Apartments, across the street from Read. The apartments look out onto an open field with trees, sun, and picnic benches, and we head out the doors, we passed two girls who also chose to practice their guitars outdoors.


Guitarists who pass the application phase of the contest record a song with or without vocals at IU's studio. Each gets their own web page with their recording on it, and listeners can vote for their favorites. So check out bloomingtonsound.com next month to listen and vote--the winner might end up being someone from your very own residence center!