In addition to social service club performances, Spring Sing also includes musical performances by various students who serve as hosts for the show. Bigger than ever, there are 10 hosts this year to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Spring Sing.
Kayti Alvarez, Vocal Music Education and Vocational Ministry Majors
Combining her slight stage fright and fear of Oompa Loompas, Alvarez will experience a range of emotions as a Spring Sing host this year.
“I wanted to be host, because I love performing and I love the community Spring Sing brings. Performing is my favorite thing in the world and I love getting to share my passion with the people I love most.”
A native of Norman, OK, Alvarez is a member of social service club Iota Kappa Phi and is heavily involved with the music department.
“I am in Chamber Singers and have been a part of the Homecoming musicals and the annual Valentines Cabaret. I am also a member of Iota Kappa Phi. I honestly don’t have a favorite, but if I had to choose, I love being a part of the musical and Valentine’s cabaret.”
Understanding the significance of Spring Sing to the Oklahoma Christian students, Alvarez said she loves Spring Sing because of what it means.
“To me, Spring Sing means community,” Alvarez said. “Everyone on campus comes together to put on something amazing and something that we can all be proud of. It’s a time for community, hard work and excitement.”
Destiny Bentley, Public Communication and Leadership Major
One of two freshmen hosts this year, Bentley is no stranger to the stage. She performed one of her original songs for Freshmen Fanfare and is a member of Chamber Singers.
“Spring Sing has been my favorite part of my freshman year this far, given that I am surrounded by so many talented individuals.”
Coming from Dallas, TX, Bentley had never seen Spring Sing when she stepped onto campus last fall and is experiencing everything about Spring Sing for the first time.
“I didn’t necessarily know what Spring Sing was when I came to OC,” Bentley said. “Even when I auditioned to be a host, I didn’t really understand how great a deal it was to be chosen. It means a lot to me to know that I can use my talent to bring joy to audience members.”
Remembering she is not too far removed from the seats the prospective students will be sitting in, Bentley said she wants students to dream big.
“Have fun. Watch the students here on campus because that could be you. And don’t be afraid to go for something big.”
Sydney May, Public Communication and Leadership Major
Music is one of the biggest parts of May’s life on campus, and she said she is excited to expand her roles to Spring Sing host this year.
“I really enjoy Spring Sing as a performer. I think it’s an awesome opportunity for people on campus who don’t perform to get a chance to experience a little piece of it. Most of the people in Spring Sing are not singers or dancers, but you get to see a little tidbit of what the people who are in the shows on campus go through all year.”
May said although not technically a member of the music department because of her communication major, the department plays a key role in many of her college memories.
“The people that are in the music department are so loving and open to people outside of the department. Almost all of my friends I’ve made through the different productions I’ve been a part of, so each of those productions holds a special place in my heart.”
May said her schedule stays busy as the Events Coordinator for Soundings, the public relations representative for choir and performing in the homecoming musical, valentine cabaret and opera.
Kennedy McAlister, Music and English/Writing Double Major
This year will be McAlister’s 10th year to see a Spring Sing show. Because Spring Sing is a yearly tradition, McAlister said it “feels like returning home.”
As a student, McAlister first experienced Spring Sing as a host her freshman year and is finishing her collegiate career as a host once again.
“Since you can only host twice, I’ve been saving it and hoping I get it senior year. As a freshman, all of the seniors were really nice to me and helped me grow as a performer. So, coming back as a senior, I feel like I have a good perspective to make sure the freshmen are doing okay.”
McAlister was the founding president of social service club Phi Omega Nu and directed their show last year. She said directing taught her more than she realized it would.
“I thought I was going to be a good director last year because I had all of this music background, but actually, Spring Sing helped me be a good musician and appreciate more of the technical aspect of production. It actually made me realize how much I love directing, so my senior project this year was directing a musical at a local school so I got to use a lot of skills.”
Morganne McCutchen, Music and Creative Media Majors
McCutchen grew up watching Spring Sing, and has always dreamed of being up on stage as a host like her mother and aunt did when they were in school at Oklahoma Christian.
“I think I came to my first show when I was three. My mom and my aunt were both hosts, so that was something I wanted to do. I always wanted to do the stuff my mom did while she was here, but maybe just a little bit better.”
Filling her schedule with extracurricular activities, McCutchen is the student manager of the broadcast sect in the communication department, was a four year Summer Sings member and directed Phi Omega Nu’s Mulan show, which placed third in Spring Sing last year.
“It’s been the things I’ve been involved in the most heavily that have given me the most memories.”
McCutchen is originally from Owasso, OK and is in her final semester at Oklahoma Christian. She said she hopes incoming freshmen will realize the importance of building relationships with their peers and professors while in college.
“Really take the time to get to know people. It sounds so cliché, but there is so much value in getting to know people. A lot of people take that for granted.”
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