By Mallory Schlabach, Editor in Chief

Luke Baty was still groggy when he was kidnapped early Thursday morning and told he was a Sing Song host. But he was still excited.

Baty, junior music major from Orchard Park, N.Y., said he was happy about being chosen once he woke up and realized who surrounded him. Baty was one of about to 45 people who auditioned for the position of Sing Song host or hostesses on Sept. 17. Six were chosen for the parts, said Kendall Massey, director of student productions and a judge at the auditions.

He said each person was given three minutes to perform a solo either with accompaniment or with a track. The next day most people were called back for a second audition. Massey said each person went through interviews with the judges and had to sight sing in groups to hear how groups blended. The groups were then tested for how individuals could move on stage and if they had stage presence.

Randy Royse, junior music major from Bedford, said she sang “Can’t Help Lovin’ Him” from the musical Showboat, and “Captivate Us” by Watermark. She said she was surprised and honored that she was selected because she is only a junior.

“I started screaming and jumping up and down when they came,” Royse said.

Both Royse and Baty decided to try out because they love to sing.

“I just love to sing and perform,” he said. “It’s what I grew up doing so I wasn’t too nervous, just at the end waiting to hear results. I’m glad I can share my gift with others during Sing Song.”

In the end, the six that were chosen were Baty, Royse; Jeremiah Gibson, senior youth and family ministry major from Garland; Evan Black, senior integrated marketing and communication major from Denison; Shalesia Rhodes, junior music education major from Longview; and Shaylee Busch, senior interior design major from Cedar Park.

Now that hosts and hostesses have been ch and determine their style.

“Auditions went really great this year,” he said. “The styles of voices chosen are all very different. Some have an older style, which sounds like the 50s or 60s, while some are still exploring their style and figuring out what suits their voices.”

Massey’s next step is finding people for the production staff. He said students interested can sign up on the door of Room 133 in McKenzie; interviews will begin Wednesday and Thursday.