Written by Joseph Dickerson
There is a first time for everything, and this year’s Spring Sing is no exception. For the first time in Spring Sing’s 37 years, four male hosts will emcee the show.
The four men chosen as this year’s Spring Sing hosts are Sam Barker, a junior vocal music education and Bible double major from Decatur, Ala.; Cameron Frazier, a junior vocal music education major from Searcy, Ark.; Stephen McBride, a sophomore biochemistry and molecular biology major from Williamstown, N.J.; and Nate White, a sophomore vocal music education and leadership and ministry double major from Omaha, Neb.
Traditionally, two males and two females are chosen as hosts and hostesses; however, judges decided to make history this year instead.
“They were the four strongest auditions primarily,” said Spring Sing director Steve Frye. “The fact that the Jersey Boys number last year was so well received allayed some of our concerns about going with only men.”
Auditions for hosts and hostesses are conducted in the fall semester at Harding. Any student can audition for the role, but only four are chosen from a highly competitive pool. This year Steven Frye, Dottie Frye, Cindee Stockstill, Craig Jones and Warren Casey chose the four men from more than 20 hopefuls. Still, an all-male group poses some issues.
“You lose typical four part harmony,” Frye said. “You lose options in choreography as male/female pairs. And guys just aren’t as pretty.”
Despite those disadvantages, Frye said that the four men “mesh easily with each other” and had very little trouble singing together because “they all have strong musical backgrounds.”
“I was in complete disbelief,” McBride said after he was chosen as one of the hosts for Spring Sing. He had performed in the Spring Sing ensemble the previous year and was now going for an even bigger role.
White had been chosen last year as a host for the 2009 production of Spring Sing and was excited to participate as a host again this year.
“When I found out, I was definitely excited to put on a performance with some old friends and to make some new ones and blessed to have been chosen, because as I said, there is an amazing talent pool at Harding,” White said.
Pressure has mounted as some students debate the success of an all-male quartet.
“There was no question in my mind that we could be successful,” White said. “Any uncertainty was only felt because it was a new frontier. Knowing the history of Spring Sing, we were to be the pioneers of this venture, so it was a bit nerve-wracking, and it brought some curiosity to know how we interacted and what our peers and directors would think.”
There are certain roles a host must perform during Spring Sing. They must introduce the different clubs and their shows, be comfortable with performing a solo musical piece and keep the audience entertained during the downtime between shows.
Though many of the clubs that are performing during Spring Sing began practicing their shows early on in the spring semester, the work for the hosts after auditions in the fall has been keeping their schedules packed full.
“I hope people don’t try to compare it negatively to other years,” White said. “Every year is a unique cast with a unique set of challenges. No matter who you are performing with, if you truly love performing, you will always be ready to step in front of that audience and put on a show.”
Frye is confident in the four men.
“We have laughed a lot in getting ready for the show,” Frye said. “They have handled the pressure with grace and style. I’m honored to have them represent the university for Spring Sing International.”
