“You’re going to Tresidder!”

Though Tresidder doesn’t quite have the same ring as Hollywood, the statement still stirred student excitement as it resonated through Roble Parlor on Saturday afternoon during the first round of tryouts for the upcoming “Stanford Idol.”

A Farm-themed parody of the hit Fox television show “American Idol,” the program is in its third year. After a popular first “season” in 2005, the event took a hiatus in 2006 and ASSU President Hershey Avula ‘08 declared last year’s low turnout an “aberration.”

“I was a judge last year,” Avula said. “But it didn’t quite come to fruition.”

Sponsored by the ASSU, Apple and Sprint, this year’s event looks promising; 18 contestants participated in Saturday’s tryouts, with over 30 more on Sunday. Over the next month, the participants will perform at a series of weekly events. Students will vote for their favorite acts after each show, and those receiving the fewest votes will be cut from the program. The winner of the Feb. 28 finale will receive a $500 cash prize.

This year’s judges include Avula, fellow 2007 judge Jonathan Grossman ‘08 and Stacie Chan ‘10. Jessica Lu ‘09 replaced Grossman, who judged on Saturday, at Sunday’s tryouts in Wilbur Dining Hall. The judges offered encouragement and constructive criticism to participants, who auditioned a cappella.

According to Selena Simmons-Duffin ‘08, a contestant in Saturday’s auditions who also tried out in 2005, the judges took their jobs very seriously.

Contestant Chris Kucharcyzk ‘11 agreed.

“They gave a very honest, critical review,” he said.

Participants expressed various reasons for choosing to audition in this year’s program, including peer pressure.

“My friends made me do it,” Kucharcyzk said, while his friend Julian Kusnadi ‘11 described a similar situation.

“I decided to try out because Didi was trying out,” he said, pointing to friend Ladidi Garba ‘11.

Freshman Aaron Grayson ‘11 auditioned on a whim.

“I thought I’d just try out,” he said. “Since joining gospel choir, I’ve got a new-found love for singing. It gave me a chance to improve my vocalizations.”

Despite the small-scale nature of “Stanford Idol,” Garba said she felt “surprisingly nervous” before her audition; Kusnadi said he felt anxious after reading the participant contract sheet in which participants agreed to have their auditions broadcast on SCBN and online.

“Idol” veteran Simmons-Duffin also said she felt slightly apprehensive for her tryout.

“I was more nervous than I expected,” she said. “I’m always surprised by the kind of criticism that comes up.”

“Freshman year I was criticized for what I was wearing,” Simmons-Duffin added, referring to the sweatpants she sported in 2005. This year, she wore a dress.

The judges said they had a difficult time analyzing this year’s contestants.

“There are lots of people in the mid-range this year,” Grossman said. “It’s hard to weed them out.”

Despite last year’s low turnout, organizers decided to give “Stanford Idol” another chance in 2008.

“We think it’s a fun thing for students to do,” Avula said. “We want students to have an opportunity to showcase human talent as individuals.”

“Now with the CoHo closed, there are fewer venues for musical talent,” Grossman added.

This year’s “Stanford Idol” looks to be gaining in popularity, particularly now that there are rumors of celebrity judges.

“The Lopez twins might judge,” said event organizer Dean Young ‘11, an ASSU executive aide. “They seemed pretty excited.”