By Nikki Wilson

Sanctify and Shades, two campus dance teams, are performing in several dance routines between upstage acts at Sing Song 2012. They are among the many groups participating in the show. The groups practice schedules were somewhat intensified due to the number of routines they are performing.

Jacob Kilpatrick, sophomore youth and family ministry major from Mesquite, is one of the captains of Sanctify. He said his group participating in Sing Song as a blessing. With practices happening multiple times a week, Kilpatrick said they will continue to work for a great performance they’ve been hoping for.

“It’s been really fun, mainly because we all love the energy of Sing Song. We treat every rehearsal the same. We never want to put something sloppy on stage, so this is still very fun,” Kilpatrick said.

Several Sanctify members said they are new dancers, and freshman on the team as well, so the Sing Song experience is very exciting to be involved with for the first time.

Along with Sanctify, is the energetic step team Shades. Members said that from the audition process to preparing for Sing Song, this group is excited and intense with preparation.

The bond they share is what several members love the most about being a part of the Sing Song experience, said Lindsay Palmer, freshman psychology major from Houston. The reason she became a member was because of the atmosphere the group created.

“We really are a family. We work hard, so it can be a little intense,” Palmer said. “It is fun because the people in our group make it great. It’s completely worth it.”

Several of the members of Shades are in several other routines, but over all they look forward to their big performance together. With the group supporting each other, rehearsals for Sing Song increased to prepare for a great show.

“Last semester we practiced twice a week, but this semester is more intense because we have to get those steps perfect,” Palmer said.

Knowing how important Sing Song is to ACU, both teams are excited to get the show started and put all their hard work to use.

Both Kilpatrick and Palmer agree, “All the hard work is completely worth it, we love Sing Song.”