Photo Courtesy of Bramblett Group: Phi Kappa Alpha presents "When in Doubt, Call the Scouts!"
Henderson — Thousands of visitors flooded the Freed-Hardeman University campus April 5-6 eager to “Make Some Noise” for one of the biggest FHU events of the year. Makin’ Music 47 thrilled audiences over four performances full of original club shows, emcee entertainment and hosts and hostess showstoppers. At the conclusion of Saturday evening’s closing show, Phi Kappa Alpha was awarded the coveted sweepstakes trophy for the first time in seven years. Xi Chi Delta was awarded second place, while third place went to Chi Beta Chi.
The winning show was created by a team of six hardworking student directors: Anniston McCall, Annie Simpson, Grady McCall, Derek Griffin, Cam Mann and Will Rawson. Anniston McCall, a senior photography and graphic design major, shared her favorite moment of the Makin’ Music experience. “My favorite part was being in the middle of it all and seeing everyone’s faces. As a director, obviously you want your show to win, but more than that, you want your cast to get to experience it more than you do for yourself. The directors have said from the very start that this could be the most talented cast the club has ever had, and they proved us right over and over again. They were hardworking and bought into the theme from the very beginning.”
While the directors talked of giving their all for the cast, the cast was proud to do the same for their directors. Combined with the club’s homecoming win last semester, the club is one step away from the prestigious FHU social club triple crown: winning Homecoming, the intramural sports trophy and Makin’ Music in the same school year.
Cam Peters, a senior accounting major, shared what this achievement means for him. “Being able to leave with a triple crown would be truly amazing. Being this close though, I truly realize that it’s really about who I did it with,” Peters said. “The men and women I’m able to call brothers and sisters truly made it special. During awards, all I could think about was the directors. To see their faces made everything worth it. From holding up a 30-foot barn as a prop guy my freshman year, and the neck pain from being a conspiracy theorist sophomore year, to the defeated feeling of second place last year – all of it was worth it to see those directors and the cast around me win. No one made the win about them but about the people next to them.”
As is tradition, each of FHU’s five social clubs took on the monumental task of presenting an original seven-minute musical story by creating their own costumes, props, choreography and lyrics set to popular songs. This year’s club shows consisted of Chi Beta Chi’s “Washed Up,” Omega Chi’s “A Knight to Remember,” Phi Kappa Alpha’s “When in Doubt, Call the Scouts!”, Sigma Rho’s “Conflict in the Cosmos” and Xi Chi Delta’s “Hysmith High: Clash of ’02!”
While Friday and Saturday’s ticketed performances are what produce the sweepstakes awards, many Makin’ Music participants said that their favorite experience of the week involved performing for a very different group of judges at the highly anticipated kids’ show. Hundreds of local children from area schools attended a special production of the show on Thursday morning. Armed with pom poms and glowsticks, kids were generous with their enthusiasm and eager to interact with the performers in costume. Children were even given the power to vote for their favorite club show, and this second annual Kids’ Choice Award was ultimately given to Xi Chi Delta.
Meanwhile, the Spirit of Makin’ Music Award is voted on by Makin’ Music staff and the directors of the other clubs. This trophy is given to the club that best represents the core values and camaraderie of the event. At the end of Friday evening’s show, this award was presented to Omega Chi.
For sweepstakes awards, the clubs were judged in six distinct categories – choreography/ blocking, lyrics, costumes, vocals, props/set design and entertainment value – and final awards were presented after Saturday evening’s show. Results of the awards are as follows:
- Choreography/blocking: 1st place – Phi Kappa Alpha, 2nd place – Xi Chi Delta, 3rd place – Omega Chi
- Lyrics: 1st place – Phi Kappa Alpha, 2nd place – Xi Chi Delta, 3rd place – Sigma Rho
- Costumes: 1st place – Xi Chi Delta, 2nd place – Phi Kappa Alpha, 3rd place – Sigma Rho
- Vocals: 1st place – Xi Chi Delta, 2nd place – Phi Kappa Alpha, 3rd place – Omega Chi
- Props/set design: 1st place – Xi Chi Delta, 2nd place – Phi Kappa Alpha, 3rd place – Chi Beta Chi
- Entertainment value: 1st place – Phi Kappa Alpha, 2nd place – Xi Chi Delta, 3rd place – Chi Beta Chi
- Overall sweepstakes winners: 1st place – Phi Kappa Alpha, 2nd place – Xi Chi Delta, 3rd place – Chi Beta Chi
“I am very proud of our students and their work on the show this year,” said FHU Dean of Student Life and Makin’ Music Producer Tony Allen. “It is a year-long process, and many do not understand how much effort and love goes into their work. Through Makin’ Music students learn important skills that the classroom does not offer. I’m thankful that the university, alumni and prospective students support our students each year. Makin’ Music is truly a blessing.”
The mission of Freed-Hardeman University is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship and service. With locations in Henderson and Memphis, FHU offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees. More information is available at fhu.edu.
