Alpha Apollo 2015

This year the fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha put on a memorable show/fundraiser for the Ball State community. Alpha Apollo is an annual singing event that takes place in December. The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha use the event to raise money and food for Cardinal Kitchen. Anyone is allowed to participate and the winner wins $100. The most interesting part about this talent show is that the audience decides who wins. The audience is also allowed to cheer and boo the performances; if the performer gets "booed" too much they have to leave the stage. Fortunately no one had to leave the stage this year!

The performances consist of mostly singers, some poetry, and a maybe a few dances here and there. The ball room was packed with people, standing up, waiting to listen and watch all of the talent. Last year freshman Jaylan Fisher won with her rendition of "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys. She participated again this year alongside her roommate and friend Robyn White. They did a beautiful mash-up of the hit songs including, "Thinking About You" by Frank Ocean, "Climax" by Usher, and "Halo" by Beyonce. They were accompanied by pianist Isaiah Squires. They were the only duet of the night and the only mash-up.

Other memorable performances were Kambria Moncreif's solo. She sang a hit single by Mary J. Blige called "I'm Going Down." The whole crowed sang along with her. Devin Hill did a fantastic hip hop dance solo to a mix of hit songs. She lit up the stage and had everyone cheering and on their feet.

My favorite performance was definitely Jaylan Fisher and Robyn White. Not only were there vocals amazing, the harmonies and arrangement of the piece they created was very authentic. They started singing together in harmony, and then Jaylan took the melody of "Thinking About You" while Robyn sang the chorus of "Climax." Then they switched to singing "Halo" in perfect harmony. I have never heard anyone sing mash-ups of these songs and I really enjoyed it.

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