A flock of harmonious ducks, a batch of cookies, a brigade of singing soldiers and a band of marionettes make up some of the 17 upstage acts intent on dazzling audiences at ACU Sing Song 2011.

The 55th performance of the ACU tradition is one of the largest in university history. Tom Craig, director of student productions, said this year’s performance promises to be not only big, but also excellent.

“I’m very excited about what the clubs and classes have put together,” Craig said. “I think this is one of our better years.”

Craig said the quality of acts performing this year is better than he can remember. He said there is no act that stands far above the others in quality or performance.

“From a competition standpoint, there is no real clear frontrunner,” Craig said.

Sing Song has been performed on campus every year since 1956, and nearly one-third of the student body participates each year. For some students, Sing Song has become a yearly tradition.

Whitney Herrington, graduate student from Weatherford, participated in Sing Song as an undergraduate with the women’s social club GATA. She said she excited to participate in the graduate school act, which tells the story of the video game character Mario and his quest to save a kidnapped princess.

“It’s an awesome experience. It’s great having big performances with everyone coming into town,” Herrington said.Ben Rude, senior interdisciplinary studies major from Spokane, Wash., has participated in sing song for three years, all with the men’s social club Gamma Sigma Phi. Rude said he has enjoyed his experiences with Sing Song as a chance to connect. Rude and his group from GSP will be performing as revolutionary war soldiers.

“It’s been oddly great,” Rude said. “There is so much stress and pressure, but it’s all worth it in the end. I wouldn’t trade that experience.

For other students, Sing Song is a chance to get better involved in the ACU community. Ryan Patterson, part of the freshman class performance. He said Sing Song has served as a great social opportunity and a chance to meet new friends.

“It’s been amazing so far. I’ve been meeting people that I would have never had a chance to meet otherwise,” said Patterson, freshman pre-physical therapy major from Austin. “When it’s all done it’ll be awesome. I think we have a good performance, our songs are really well-done.”

Linley Riediger, senior biochemistry major from Abilene, is performing in Sing Song for the first time. She said she is glad she has taken the time to participate before she graduates. She is performing in the senior act, dressed as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

“I was really busy earlier in school, but now I’m really sad I never did it before,” Riediger said. “Having never done it before, it’s totally worth the time.”

The groups may all have different costumes acts, but they all have one thing in common – stress. Laura Quile, junior elementary education major from Trophy Club, said the stress is well worth it once the performers get on stage.

“We always have a lot of fun with it, the whole thing has been a blast,” Quile said. “I know people get stressed out, but when you get to it, it’s all worth it.”

Quile will perform with the women’s social club Ko Jo Kai. The women start their performance as kernels but burst into popcorn as the show progresses.

Three Sing Song performances are scheduled, all in Moody Coliseum. Friday’s show will start at 8 p.m., and tickets are $16. Two shows are scheduled for Saturday. The matinee starts a 2 p.m., and tickets are $18. The night show and awards presentation starts at 8.p.m., and tickets are $24.

More information can be found online at www.acu.edu/singsong.