Una Step Sing To Benefit United Way Of Northwest Alabama Feb. 2-3

Jan. 31, 2012

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@gxitma.net, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - The University Program Council branch of the Student Government Association at the University of North Alabama will host its annual Step Sing competition Feb. 2-3 at 7 p.m. each night in Norton Auditorium. The competition will bring 10 student-formed teams together to help bring in funding for the United Way of Northwest Alabama This year's Step Sing theme is "Once Upon a Time," and will feature a number of student groups, including the honors program, Gay Straight Alliance, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Tau Omega, Zeta Tau Alpha, Alpha Delta Pi, Phi Mu, Delta Chi, Kappa Sigma and Phi Gamma Delta. Each student group will tell its own unique story and is encouraged to be as creative as possible, according to Will Riley, UNA junior and vice president of UPC. He said any group of students can come together to form a team for the Step Sing competition. "It's cool to see your peers and friends perform," he said. "The whole drive for (students) isn't just for the trophy but for something better than themselves. They do it to raise money for United Way and it shows a great diversity of our campus with both Greek and non-Greek students. It's a great representation of our student body." The Step Sing performances are presented as a show choir, with singing and choreographed routines, in which students create their own lyrics to popular songs. The total performance should last between 7-10 minutes, and students must wear appropriate costumes. Student groups will be judged on stage presence and appearance for 10 points, choreography for 10 points, musical ability for 10 points, overall performance for 10 points, theme creativity for 20 points, prop creativity for 5 points and People's Choice Award participation for 5 points. There will be a first- and second-place team in the men's, women's and co-ed divisions as well as an overall winning team, which will receive a trophy. The People's Choice Award, which is chosen by the audience, will be awarded to the winning team the final night of the competition. "Students should come to Step Sing because it's going to be a great show and it's a great tradition here at UNA that helps United Way," said Cheryl Mathis, coordinator of programming in the Office of Student Engagement. Step Sing began its history in 1973 when sororities, fraternities and other student organizations at UNA would stand on the steps of the risers at Norton Auditorium and sing for each other, according to Mathis. She said each group would wear homemade costumes and sing their sweetheart song in hopes of winning first place. Originally, no dancing was involved, but choreography became an integral part of the competition in later years. When Step Sing was first started at UNA, admission was free to the event until university officials decided to begin charging admission in order to provide funding and support to the United Way of Northwest Alabama. Tickets are $8 online and $10 at the door each night of the event. They can be purchased at hsaz.gxitma.net/boxoffice . For more information, contact the Office of Student Engagement at 256-765-4248.