Arts & Entertainment

Harper Gets Behind American Idol's Haley Reinhart

Harper College is urging faculty and students to support one of their own—Haley Reinhart.

The marquee in front of on Route 62 says it all: "Vote for Haley."

It's a straightforward request for faculty, staff and passing motorists to support Harper College student Haley Reinhart when she returns to American Idol's stage at 7 p.m. tonight on Fox.

Reinhart, 20, attended Harper in 2009 and 2010 studying Jazz. She performed with the college's Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab.

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Harper has put together a video of students and faculty wishing Reinhart luck.

Among those appearing in the video is Reinhart's former teacher, Ken Spurr.

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"She was very easy to work with and her vocal range was wide," Spurr said.

Spurr worked with Reinhart for three semesters. He was happy when Reinhart was able last week to secure a spot on the summer American Idol tour.

"I'm glad she can go on the tour and continue to have those great experiences," Spurr said.

Last week American Idol was supposed to narrow the field to 10 contestants, but the judges saved Casey Abrams from elimination. All 11 finalists will go on the summer tour. The decision to save Abrams, however, means that two people will be eliminated from the competition this week.

Prior to last week, Reinhart finished among the bottom three vote getters for two consecutive weeks.


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