By Mallory Sherwood, Managing Editor

Nearly a decade has passed since Kendall Massey first stepped foot into the world of Sing Song. Now in his third year of directing the production he loved while a student, Massey has helped turn the 50-year tradition into an event that showcases students’ talents and keeps the alumni returning.

The former host and social club director returned to the stage in 2004 as director of Student Productions and began directing Sing Song with a new vision in mind.

“I wanted to give students more ability to be creative,” Massey said. “That’s why we’ve brought in the option to produce video and given students the chance to run a light show. I want them to take Sing Song and make it their own.”

Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, said in an e-mail that the theory guiding Massey’s vision is based on the fact that he knows firsthand what Sing Song means to students.

Massey participated in Sing Song while a student by being involved with his social club’s act, Frater Sodalis, and his class acts each year in addition to performing as a host in 1995.

After graduating in 1996, Massey didn’t let go of Sing Song but helped by arranging the vocals for hosts and hostesses. He then moved on to arrange music for the social clubs and classes, and in 2003, he applied for the position as director when Phyllis Wilson left the job that fall.

Since he stepped into Wilson’s shoes, Massey jumped headlong into the chaos of Sing Song and decided to create themes that have included: “Silver Screen,” “Off the Charts,” and “The 50th Show.”

For the anniversary celebration, Massey began planning a different kind of Sing Song more than a year and a half ago, when he began doing research.

“Honestly right after the first year, I began figuring out a way to honor the alumni,” Massecould see the wheels turning in their heads when they started thinking about it,” he said. “They didn’t protest or complain, especially when they found out they didn’t have to do the research on their club’s history.”

His interest in the students is a trait he is known for and a reason Sing Song is successful, Barnard said.

“Kendall has greatly enhanced student participation, including greater diversity,” he said. “More than anything, Kendall has enhanced relationships with students. His motto … is that it’s all about the students. I believe this is readily seen by anyone who works with Kendall.”

Ragan Rhodes can see this in Massey, especially since she spends more than 30 hours a week working with him as a Sing Song hostess this year.

“Kendall is one of the kindest people I have ever met,” said Rhodes, senior Bible and music interdisciplinary major from Fort Worth. “I have seen him in situations where he is stressed to the hilt, people are pushing and pressing him from a lot of sides, yet he only shows them kindness.”

Rhodes and five other hosts and hostesses spend their evenings practicing with Massey and his wife, Vivi. Some places they have practiced Sherrod Apartments, Cullen Auditorium, the Williams Performing Arts Center and Discovery Dance Studio.

Rhodes said the hosts and hostesses work during practice on choreography, costumes and Massey’s forte: music.

“We are a diverse group of hosts and hostesses in the way we perform and the way we sound,” Rhodes said. “Kendall is good at picking up on the kind of performer we are and helping us find our own talents so we can really shine on the stage and do our best.”

Massey’s talents don’t end just with vocals though, Barnard said.

“Kendall’s talents are many,” he said. “He is an excellent musician, so he has the ability to write and produce tracks to use with both Sing Song and Freshman Follies. He also has the ability to design sound and to know exactly how a particular song should sound.

“I’m most impressed with Kendall’s ability to develop themes each year that reflect our students and the ACU community. He has a unique gift when it comes to working with people.”

Rhodes, who transferred to the university in 2004, said she has enjoyed her first Sing Song experience because she has learned a lot from Massey, especially in the way he treats others, including his wife and their three children.

Although many believe Massey is the mastermind behind Sing Song, he said he couldn’t do any of it without the help of his wife.

“She comes to the practices, helps with vocals, is in charge of all the costumes for hosts, hostesses and the dance team and she is a huge encouragement to the girls as a mentor and a friend,” he said. “She also takes care of me to make sure I’m OK. She does a great job, and she does it all with two little guys in tow.”

Another main factor in Massey’s ability to pull off a production like Sing Song is his firm faith in God.

“First off, I pray an awful lot that this show will be a production that can glorify him,” he said. “This show is in God’s hands; it’s something entirely separate of talent.”

With the help of God, his wife and countless volunteers, Massey is hours from a Sing Song that is expected to be the best in a while.

“There is a lot of pressure for Sing Song to be big, huge and marvelous,” Rhodes said. “Money and politics play into it a bit as does tradition, but Kendall is working as hard as he can to make it one of the best shows. He puts his entire heart into it.”

She said the show will be more about God this year, not just flashy and over the top.

“Sing Song is about entertainment and being over the top sometimes, but this year is going to be much more personal,” she said. “We’re going to be naked up there, so to speak; we’re going to be real on stage and let people see our true hearts through our voices. We’re going to be genuine and not just razzle-dazzle you.”

Massey said Sing Song was originally created for the spirit of singing together. He said today Sing Song is about working together and creating close friendships, a bond he has formed with the students he works with.

“What is so amazing is that our students, most of whom are full-time students who work and have relationships, are the ones who make this happen,” Barnard said. “Kendall is their inspiration, coach, cheerleader, mentor and friend. He continues to breathe life into our student’s dreams, helping their dreams to be transformed into reality.”