A week away from arguably ACU’s most extravagant event, Sing Song acts enlist outside help to make last-minute tweaks and fine-tune their acts.
Nick Tatum, a communication graduate student from Plano and the four-time winning class director will not be leading an act this Sing Song season, but has been just as involved with the show’s preparation.
“Although I loved participating as an undergraduate, I was ready for something different this year,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed participating in different aspects of Sing Song.”
This year, he is serving as the show’s technical director and resource team manager.
Tatum has made guest appearances at several class acts’ practices, and gave input to all the club acts. He also arranged the music for the Freshmen, Trojan, Ko Jo Kai and Zeta Rho’s acts.
“I have enjoyed getting to help every act rather than just the ones that I was participating in,” he said.
For the seniors, experience has played a major role, said Vance Cato, one of the senior class directors and business management major from Amarillo.
“We have friendships with most of our members, helping us connect with and lead our act,” he said. “We also have learned how to make practices fun, yet productive.”
But for freshmen new to the Sing Song game, help was needed even more, said Courtney Tee, freshman class act director and communications major from Houston.
“Nick stopped by to listen to us, give us notes, and help us get a better grasp on some things that are very specific, like the Sing Song face,” she said. “Those are things that are hard to pick up without lots of experience, something he certainly has.”
Tatum said he usually gives groups advice in two areas: diction and dynamics.
“Diction involves enunciating the lyrics of the act well enough to be heard all the way from the back of Moody,” he said. “Dynamics help to create interest and contrast between the various songs of the arrangement.”
Tatum said this year’s acts will be entertaining and memorable.
“In my opinion, this show will be a ‘classic,'” he said. “Very reminiscent of Sing Songs from the ’80s and ’90s.”
The competition is close, he said, and all the last-minute polishing will pay off.
“At this point, it could be anyone’s game,” Tatum said. “A lot of groups have potential to score well. It will all come down to who works the hardest over the next few weeks.”
