The Clock Tower Dedication not only consisted of builders, presidents and deans describing their love for the new tower, but it was also filled with the music notes and voices of Dixie Idol finalists.
Greg Knell, Chance Steglich and Jadon Webster began the dedication by singing the National Anthem. The contestants sang the top pick from their prior performances throughout the competition, and each contestant sang his song between each speech of the dedication.
Webster started off the performances by singing “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen.
“I just love the music,” said Webster, a freshman music major from Santa Clara. “Everyone knows it, so you can’t go wrong with a crowd-pleaser, but it’s a beautiful song. It’s beautifully written, and it just has touching lyrics.”
Knell, a senior English major from Spanish Fork, performed second by singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from the original musical “Carousel.”
“I just love performing,” Knell said. “Singing is my passion … Any time I get to sing, I’ll take it.”
Chance Steglich, a junior psychology major from Hurricane, performed third by singing “Close Every Door” from the musical “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.”
Dean of Students Del Beatty later took the podium and talked about the hard work of each contestant during Dixie Idol throughout the week, and he was proud of how successful the event turned out. Dixie Idol began with 30 contestants who participated in six rounds, and the three finalists charmed their way to the top.
The three stood by his side as he announced the 2014 Dixie Idol winner.
He then handed Steglich a trophy and a $500 check to award him the honor of being the Dixie Idol champion.
“I feel super excited — super happy,” Steglich said. “It was a blast. I had so much fun doing it.”
He said his favorite part of participating in the new event was performing with Knell and Webster and his opportunity to work with Beatty during the week.
“[Knell and Webster] were incredible,” Steglich said. “It was so much fun to sing with them and to collaborate with so much talent and to collaborate with Del Beatty; he was especially incredible in helping us. He like coached us vocally, and it was awesome.”
Knell said he felt honored that he was given the opportunity to perform at the dedication.
“I had so many people come up to me and say, ‘What a great opportunity; how cool is it that you got to sing here,’ and I felt that from the very beginning,” Knell said. “It’s one thing that I will remember for a very long time.”