Students have spent weeks preparing for the Friday night opening of Sing Song to put on a show that tops last year’s Valentine’s Day-themed musical.
Last year, the Trojans and Kojies claimed the titles in their categories, putting a target on their backs. But they plan on defending those titles this year with captivating acts that will put up a fight for first place.
The Trojans have won two years in a row and won’t give up their title easily, so they’re willing to take risks during their act as the beast from Beauty and the Beast.
“We’re actually wearing masks this year, and I don’t know if that’s something that anybody’s ever tried,” said Jesse McGaha, Trojan Sing Song director. “I think it’s something that’ll really work for us. I think that it’ll actually help the overall final project quite a bit.”
Having two years’ worth of men who have won before will also help mentor the new group that hasn’t participated in Sing Song and will potentially push the Trojans to their third consecutive win, said McGaha, senior social studies secondary certification major from Abilene.
“We would love to win a third year in a row,” McGaha said. “I know it sounds cliché, but as long as we’re able to have fun together and be proud of the product that we put out, in the end, it’ll be worth it to us.”
This year, the Kojies will perform M&M’S in a candy shop “” a fun, upbeat act with tons of surprises, said Megan Hobby, Ko Jo Kai Sing Song director.
“I think last year we were really motivated to win because we hadn’t won in so long,” said Hobby, junior kinesiology major from Arlington. “Kojies hadn’t won since the popcorn act in 2011 which meant that no one in club had the opportunity to experience what it felt like to win Sing Song.”
As always, the Kojies will have tough competition from other clubs such as Alpha Kai Omega, who are tickets to a carnival, and the Siggies, who will appear as leaves. But Hobby said her club is staying focused on goals and having fun to find its success.
“This year, we are just keeping the mindset of last year,” Hobby said. “We go into practice each night with goals and do our best to meet them but try to have fun while we do it. Kojies want to work hard and do their best.”
Though it is nice to claim the title and bragging rights that accompany the long-standing ACU tradition, winning isn’t everything.
“I think winning just reinforces all the hard work you put in,” Hobby said. “If we go out there and do our best and know that we had an amazing time doing it, we are going to feel great about our act, win or lose.”
