By Adam LoBelia

Matt Silverman eagerly waited next to the stage long after he and his band performed.

When his band’s name was announced he was all smiles, much like the crowd during his performance on the stage.

“What a great time,” said Silverman amidst congratulations from those gathered around him.

Friday’s Battle of the Bands, which took place in the Netherlands cafeteria, was the largest musical competition in the University’s history.

Five bands played for three hours to be declared the best band on campus and for a gig at the Downtown, a prestigious nightclub on Long Island.

Silverman is very happy to have an opportunity to play there since it will complement his budding music career that also includes a CD and several other club performances.

“Downtown is definitely a nice gig to have,” he said.

Playing such popular tunes like Maroon 5’s “This Love” and Tommy Tutone’s “867-5309 (Jenny),” Silverman’s easygoing musical style seemed to win over the crowd and he received very loud applause when his act was over.

His stiffest opponent was the Mark Denny Project, easily the largest band of the night in terms of members and the only band that included a brass section.

Silverman described the band as a “high energy” band and referred to them as their “closest competition.”

The Mark Denny Project played older tunes and was enthusiastically greeted by the crowd.

In the end, it was still Matt Silverman’s band that emerged victorious.

The three other bands, Forsaken, Product of the 80’s and the Fifth played more contemporary music.

The winner was selected mainly on the crowds’ reaction.

“We’re looking for people having fun up there and which band has the audience involved,” judge and event coordinator Rich Ferraioli said.

The event was planned by the Netherlands Hall Council and was sponsored by the Downtown nightclub. The contest began two months ago, when bands on campus were invited to send in demo tapes and videos to the hall council. A total of 25 entries were received and the finalists were whittled down from there.

With the crowd size estimating an average 200 people at any given time, Ferraioli said “nothing of this scale” had occurred at the University before and that they are definitely trying to make it an annual event.

This sits well with Silverman, the first champ.

“I absolutely would do it again.”