A panel of 30 judges has been selected to adjudicate this year’s Sing Song competition, but as always, they will remain unnamed until the night of the show.

Tom Craig, director of student productions, said this year’s panel of judges was diverse and unique. It will be comprised of three groups: Faculty and staff, alumni and community.

“We have a broad spectrum of judges from three different spectrums,” Craig said. “We have a broad mix to represent many opinions.”

A panel of seven judges will judge a different criterion for each show. Friday evening’s judges will rank the acts based on appearance. Saturday afternoon’s panel will rank the performances based on originality, and Saturday evening’s acts will be judged based on the level of entertainment provided. Every show will have three additional vocal judges.

“There is no real set criteria for judges because we want a group that represents the diversity of our audience,” Craig said. “We want them to have the same perspective as people watching.”

Craig said the alumni pool of judges would consist of students who played a big role in Sing Song 10, 20 and 30 years ago. He said the alumni judges are former club or class act directors, production team members or hosts and hostesses.

“They know the show from the inside out,” Craig said. “Judges who have been involved in Sing Song in the past have a keen knowledge of how to create a Sing Song act like no other.”

Craig said they look for unique capabilities in all of their judges and especially try to bring in those with musical history.

“We look for different backgrounds with our judges,” Craig said. “We look for string musical judges. Some come from the entertainment industry. Others come from vocal education.”

Dr. John Delony, assistant dean for residence life and education, judged vocals for Sing Song two years ago. Delony said judging forced him to view each act with a critical eye.

“The whole process was fun to see. It was great getting to see it from start to finish,” Delony said. “Watching the show with a critical eye really allows you to catch the nuiances of each act. It really allows you to stay involved.”

Delony said he enjoyed the opportunity to judge Sing Song and hopes to have a chance to judge again in the future.

“I hope to get to do it again; it gives you a new perspective,” Delony said.