Purdue News

March 22, 2002 University Sing renewed at Purdue WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – After a four-year absence, a Purdue tradition will return to campus this spring. University Sing, a musical celebration of student performances at Purdue University, takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 13, in the Elliott Hall of Music. The event, commonly known as U-Sing, is an all-campus performance competition between Purdue housing units and student organizations. Students can choose to perform through an independent organization, a housing unit or combine their talents with other students. Performances consist of an approximately three-minute act or song (no lip-syncing) performed by a minimum of 30 students. A celebrity panel of judges will rate the groups based on entertainment value, creativity/originality, execution and overall performance. The top three groups will be awarded trophies and prizes. A spirit award also will be given out to the group that does the best job promoting the event. Brian Breed, director of Purdue Musical Organizations, says he is pleased PMO has revived the tradition. "Bringing U-Sing back to campus is such a tremendous thrill," Breed says. "It gives all of our student organizations a chance to perform for one another and strut their stuff on the Elliott Hall of Music stage. They also get a chance to compete with their peers to see who is the most entertaining." Although Purdue has no school of music, Breed says the campus has an untapped wellspring of talent. "The students we have performing in PMO are a testament to the strength of talent that exists on campus," he says. "Making music together is one of the best ways I know to build a powerful sense of fellowship and camaraderie. Purdue already thrives on a rich musical tradition. U-Sing gives that tradition and history a voice." Student housing units and organizations participating in U-Sing include Theta Chi and Alpha Phi, Alpha Kappa Lambda and Alpha Xi Delta, Pi Kappa Alpha and Chi Omega, Delta Gamma and Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Upsilon and Alpha Chi Omega, Sigma Kappa and Firway Co-op, Farmhouse and Alpha Omericron Pi. One of the new features of the U-Sing will be a segment by the Purdue Varsity Glee Club called "Phenomena." Already a campus tradition, "Phenomena" will showcase a retrospective of contemporary song hits. Consistent with U-Sing, this segment of the evening's finale is totally produced, directed and performed by Purdue students in the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. Tickets for U-Sing are $5 and are available through the box office by calling (765) 494-3933. The new U-Sing steering committee is composed of student members of PMO, officers of Purdue Student Government, the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Association, Purdue Cooperative Housing Council and PMO Managers Council. The first U-Sing was held in 1913 close to Mother's Day. In 1972 the event date was moved to Mother's Weekend in April. The last University Sing was in 1998. More than 20 student organizations participated in the event, which was in the Purdue Memorial Union Ballrooms. CONTACTS: Kyle Wilcher, PMO managers council president, k_wilcher@hotmail.com; David Huhnke, PMO marketing director, (765) 494-3949, dahuhnke@purdue.edu. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page