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Despite the dueling challenges of the pandemic and the renovation of Moody Coliseum, Abilene Christian University’s annual Sing Song show is going on, although with a different look and feel than in recent history.
This year, Sing Song – typically held at Moody Coliseum in February – will take place April 22-25 at Abilene’s Paramount Theatre. Four shows performed across four days will culminate in an awards event at Wildcat Stadium. Accounting for physical distancing protocols, the Paramount will accommodate 250-300 people per show, so a limited number of in-person tickets are available.
Showtimes are
- Thursday, April 22 – 7 p.m.
- Friday, April 23 – 8 p.m.
- Saturday, April 24 – 8 p.m.
- Sunday, April 25 – 2 p.m.
To fit the smaller capacity, class and sorority/fraternity performances will harken back to Sing Song’s early days of small groups singing simple a cappella songs with a focus on vocals. The main acts will consist of 16 or fewer people on stage at one time, singing three songs with unchanged lyrics. As usual, hosts and hostesses will perform in between the upstage acts.
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“The students are excited for a new phase, a new chapter in Sing Song’s history,” said Caddie Coupe, director of student productions. “Many institutions canceled shows all together. We’re maintaining safety as our No. 1 priority for participants and guests, and I think our students are excited to have the chance to do this.”
The tradition of ACU Sing Song began in 1957 under the direction and inspiration of Dr. Robert “Bob” Hunter (’52), vice president emeritus. During the early years, it involved small groups of students on risers singing songs with the original lyrics. In the decades to follow, the production evolved to feature groups of more than 100 students with elaborately designed sets, colorful costumes, choreography, cleverly re-written lyrics, and long hours of weekly practice. This year, the need for smaller numbers, more distance and less time in close proximity presented an opportunity to return to the simpler style of ACU’s original Sing Song event.
“Once we got the general parameters in January, we had to go back to the drawing board and figure out how some of the ideas we had were going to fit the new show. While there was a mixture of emotions, I was thankful we still had the opportunity to direct an act during a time like this,” said Cameron Boyette, a senior life science major from Mesquite and the musical director of the GATA sorority act. “As we get closer to the show, I am more and more excited about our act and show week. We are so proud of what we have created and cannot wait for everyone to see the act. I am excited to see the creativity each group had in making their theme come together.”
For more information or to buy tickets, visit acu.edu/singsong.
— Wendy Kilmer
Apr. 15, 2021