Classrooms were vacant Wednesday afternoon as students gathered in the Quad for an event that never disappoints, All Campus Sing.

According to Amanda Benson, chair of All Campus Sing, students began congregating in the Quad long before 3 p.m. to get a good seat. Covering the grass with blankets and towels, sitting under the trees for shade and standing on the steps of Pogue Library for a better view, the audience awaited the pre-show.

This year’s pre-show was performed by The Muses and The Suspensions, the University’s female a cappella group.

In light of recent tragedies, “Amazing Grace” was sung by a handful of groups before kicking off the show while the audience rose to its feet in remembrance.

The song was sung to honor members of Phi Mu Alpha, Alpha Omicron Pi and Alpha Gamma Delta who passed away in the last year.

Since All Campus Sing began, many students have taken part in the competition. Twenty-two groups competed in All Campus Sing this year. Themes picked by the groups ranged from Beach Boys to Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Songs from every genre and generation were performed by the competitors.

“I was really happy with how smoothly (All Campus Sing) went,” Benson said. “The weather made me a little nervous, but the groups really helped out and cooperated well.”

At approximately 4:30 p.m. the skies opened up and the rain came down. Students migrated to the nearby buildings and waited for the rain to stop. It did not take long for the sun to shine again. However, setting up the equipment put approximately a 45 minute delay on the event.

“We lost a little bit of our crowd,” Benson said. “But there were definitely more people standing around after it cleared up.”

Four divisions divided the competition. In the Residential College division, first place was Springer–Franklin College with its Burlesque–themed performance. Springer–Franklin was also voted best costume. Coming in second was Hester College and third was Regents College.

Out of the six sororities that competed Alpha Gamma Delta won first place with its Rock ‘n’ Roll performance.

It also received the director’s choice award given by Benson and Anne Pritchett, assistant chair of All Campus Sing, because of both its performance and cooperation during the weather issues.

Alpha Sigma Alpha placed second and was also awarded the spirt award and spectato’s choice award. Alpha Delta Pi placed third and Alpha Omicron Pi placed fourth.

Alpha Sigma Phi won first place in the fraternity division with its Beach Boys performance. It also won best soloist. Sigma Phi Epsilon “Rode Out the Storm” and placed second.

Coming in third was Pi Kappa Alpha. In fourth place was Alpha Gamma Ro.

Seven groups competed in the Independent Category. First place and best choreography was won by the Black Student Council.

In second place was Sock ‘n’ Buskin. The Math Club placed third with its “Math Club Style” routine and the International Student Organization placed fourth.

Those who won first prize in their division were up for comparison to other first–place winners.

The one with the highest score earned the championship trophy. The Black Student Council won the overall championship.

Just before the awards, Phi Mu Alpha and Sigma Alpha Iota joined together to sing a song about the Phi Mu Alpha brother who died last week, Daniel Milam. The song was one of Milam’s favorites, “If I can Help Somebody.”

Overall, Murray State students, community members and even alumni from miles away enjoyed the long standing tradition whether in person or via the live webcast.

More than 23,000 people logged on to watch All Campus Sing via the Internet.

Story by Hunter Harrell, Staff writer.