IU Sing performers to belt out 'Big City Beat'

The final countdown for IU Sing has begun. \nThere is less than a day left for song practices, dance rehearsals and skit run-throughs before all of the students' hard work goes on stage in the Big City Beat-themed event, beginning at 7 p.m. tonight at the IU Auditorium.\nFraternities, sororities, dorms and other student groups gather in meetings of hustle and bustle, repetition and re-do's, exhaustion and elation and overall anticipation of the night to come. They gather for their last few practices hoping to top last year's performances and hit every note, every dance step and every line to try and win IU Sing this year.\nThe process has been long, the practices have been lengthy, but the hopes are high for a spectacular show, Pi Beta Phi Song Leader Producer Megan Mercer said. \n"I've been working on my skit since October," she said. "It has been a very lengthy process, but it's definitely a great experience"\nWith show time creeping up, the practices have become even more intense and require a lot of time from students. \n"Once it comes closer to crunch time, people start taking it more seriously and polishing all of the imperfections," said freshman Mikel Newman of Alpha Epsilon Pi. "We all want to look good up there, and everyone wants to win."\nMeetings can drift into the late hours of the night, especially as the show nears, but the hours of hard work seem to be paying off, noted IU Sing participants.\n"The downside to IU Sing is the constant practice when you have got other things to do," Newman said. "After a while, once you have it all down it's just repetition and critiquing. At first, you really can't get a sense of accomplishment, but once the skit comes all together and everything's flowing great the way it is right now, there's actually a great sense of accomplishment. After all of the hard work and all of the practices, it's finally going to pay off."\nDespite the tiring practices -- and the occasional complaining -- "Big City Beat" is ready to take the IU Auditorium by storm. The banners waving along Third Street, North Jordan and all over campus have contributed to the build-up and big expectations for those involved and those who plan to watch. \n"I am really excited to see everyone's different performances," said sophomore Nancy Benovitz of Delta Zeta. "IU Sing has been a huge commitment but we've been working really hard and it's been a great way for our pledge classes to bond."\nIU Sing has offered many students a chance to stage their talents and show off all of the hard work.\n"You get to see a side of people you may never have seen before," Newman said. "It's a lot of fun seeing people express their talents. IU Sing allows some people to really shine"\nFor new students, IU Sing has been opportunity to get involved in IU activities and get to know more faces around campus.\n"The best part about IU Sing is being able to meet so many new people," said freshman Staci Gold of Delta Delta Delta. "Being able to bond with my pledge class has been an amazing experience, and we even were able to become friends with the boys of Sigma Chi. It's been an overall excellent experience."\nFor many students, IU Sing is not just a show, but an experience where friendships are made, bonds are tightened and laughter is shared.\n"I was involved my freshman year, and I had a lot fun bonding and performing with my group," Mercer said. "That's the reason I did it again this year. IU Sing made my enjoy my experience at IU that much more, and I know this year it's going to be another awesome show."\n-- Contact staff writer Mallory Simon at mgsimon@indiana.edu.