Winners and Pigskin Revue Invitations Announced at Baylor’s All University Sing 2016
Follow us on Twitter: @BaylorUMedia Media contact: Lori Fogleman, (254) 710-6275 WACO, Texas (March 3, 2016) – Glitter, hairspray and enthusiasm filled the air of Waco Hall on Baylor's campus the past two weekends as the 62nd annual production of All University Sing took the stage. This year's competition featured 2,006 performers, 86 songs, 424 light cues, 93 sing chairs, 64 props, 1,428 rehearsal hours and more than 13,200 attendees. "The competition between acts in All University Sing is always steep, and this year's production was no different," said Cheryl Mathis, assistant director of Campus Programs at Baylor. "With 18 acts and more than 90 talented and high-achieving Sing Chairs, it would have been surprising for the show not to have been incredibly competitive." The competition took place Feb. 18-20 and Feb. 25-27, and winners were announced Saturday, Feb. 27, after the final performances. Groups were judged on the basis of entertainment value, musical quality, choreography, creativity and theme development. All University Sing dates back to 1953, with the first performance that included eight clubs singing three songs each, all about Baylor, on risers in Waco Hall before an audience of less than 15 people. Over the years, it has evolved into a production intended to showcase Broadway-style talent in seven-minute acts, complete with costumes, props, choreography and vocal talent. "To some, Sing is a chance to compete. For others, it's a chance to perform on the big stage," Mathis said. "But for many others, particularly the student stage managers, the Student Productions producers and the Sing Chairs, it is a chance to gain practical leadership experience. From small group communication to budget and time management to learning how to work through conflict, disappointment or even learning how to be a humble winner, the experiences of leaders in Sing is almost immeasurable." Of the 18 acts participating in this year's competition, the top eight were awarded invitations to Pigskin Revue during Homecoming in the fall. Awards were as follows: First place: Pi Beta Phi, with "Meet Me in Ze Alps." The Lariat gave the act five out of five stars and said, "From the ladies who brought you nuns comes a one-of-a-kind act about… goats. Pi Phi made the life of a milk maiden in the Swiss Alps look a lot more fun than it actually is. The act, which opened with a yodeler (that's a first), utilized excellent costume design and energetic moves to keep the audience engaged. Additionally, every song lent itself to the flow of the act." Second place: Kappa Omega Tau, with "Setting Sail." The Lariat's review read, "All aboard the S.S. KOT. There was no shortage of good vocals, energetic choreography or smoke machines with KOT's act. There was even a crow's nest onstage to complete the theme of a ship, a captain and his crew. With sure moves and a forceful presence, the guys of KOT command the stage in a way most other acts don't, and it makes for a great time." Third place: Chi Omega, with "Lunch Lady Land." According to the Lariat, "Chi Omegas make for the cutest lunch ladies in all the land. The act brought to stage one of the freshest ideas Sing has seen in a while. Channeling the '60s with Keds and cat-eye glasses, the ladies gave their sassy take on the school icon we've come to love. Solid vocals, solid choreography and a solid theme means Chi Omega served up a great act." Other acts advancing to Pigskin Revue are Alpha Tau Omega's "The King of Promise," Alpha Chi Omega's "Alpha Chi Coal Mining Company," Kappa Kappa Gamma and Kappa Sigma's "Come Dance With Me," Phi Kappa Chi's "Working on a Building" and Zeta Tau Alpha's "We Have Awoken." The People's Choice Awards, voted on by the audience following each performance, were given to the following: Best Backdrop: Kappa Sigma and Kappa Kappa Gamma Best Choreography: Kappa Sigma and Kappa Kappa Gamma Best Costumes: Pi Beta Phi Best Song Selection: Pi Beta Phi Best Theme Development: Delta Delta Delta Best Vocals: Zeta Tau Alpha That's a wrap for All University Sing 2016. Mark your calendars for Baylor Homecoming, Oct. 13 to Oct. 15, when milk maidens, pirates, lunch ladies and more will be roaming campus once again for performances in Pigskin Revue. by Bethany Harper, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805 ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.