Baylor Talent Showcased In All University Sing Competition

by Amanda Lewis, Student Newswriter

Baylor University will host the 51st annual All University Sing, a student musical production, at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19-21 and 26-28, in Waco Hall. Although four of the six performances are sold out, tickets are still available for Community Night Thursday, Feb. 19 and Feb. 26. Tickets range in price from $12 to $20.
A Baylor tradition since 1953, All University Sing began with an audience of 13 and has grown to six nights of sold-out performances. The show has become one of the most popular productions on campus, with members of 20 student organizations showcasing their musical, theatrical and dancing abilities.
"The amount of time and energy that goes into preparing for Sing far outweighs virtually any other performance of this genre on campus. Student groups prepare for Sing starting almost a year in advance," said Mike Riemer, coordinator of special performances. "It is so popular because it's part of the culture here. It's a right of passage for many. It's tradition."
A much larger participation of National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities and sororities- traditionally African American organizations- will bring added variety to the show. Three of Baylor's seven NPHC chapters will perform in Sing this year, including Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha and Zeta Phi Beta.
"While there is a history of African American students and groups participating in Sing, this is certainly a historic year in that there are three minority student organizations participating. With that they infuse a style that is very different and certainly adds depth and dimension to the show," Riemer said. "Two of the groups will be featuring step routines, an element not found very often in Sing. This combined with traditional elements one expects to see in All University Sing will make for an exciting and unique show."
A national panel of judges will review the acts and choose the top three groups based on entertainment value, musical quality, creativity, choreography and theme development. The winners will be announced on Saturday, Feb. 28, after the last performance with the top eight acts invited back to Pigskin Review during Homecoming in fall 2004.
The People's Choice Awards, created for the 1999 performance, will be voted on by the audience for the best backdrop, music selection, costumes, choreography and theme development. These awards also will be announced after the last performance. An opportunity to vote for these awards on line will be set up prior to the first performance at www.baylorsing.com.
Entertainment between each act will be provided by the Guerrilla Troupe, a student-managed comedy team.
For more information, contact the Bill Daniel Student Center ticket office at 710-3210 or visit www.baylorsing.com.