Andrea Jameson
Contributing Writer
[email protected]

Editor’s Note: The News released a printed version of this article from Thursday, Feb. 25, which contained an inaccuracy. The News deeply regrets this error and the below article has been updated.

The 62nd All Campus Sing will  take place indoors in the Performing Arts Hall instead of the traditional steps of the Quad.

“The biggest change this year compared to 2019’s All Campus Sing is that instead of basically the entire organization performing, each organization will have a maximum of one solo, one duet and one trio perform,” said Head Chair Emily Allen. 

Last year, the entire event was canceled because of COVID-19, so this year is going to be directed a little differently but with the same purpose to benefit People-to-People, which is for the Sigma Alpha lota’s philanthropy. 

“One project that People-to-People takes part in around the Murray area is donating musical instruments to schools in the area that can’t afford them,” Allen said. 

Another difference this year is groups competing with three people maximum will need to find other arrangements to practice, unlike the past years where they could use Murray State’s facilities. The groups are encouraged to practice in sorority or fraternity houses or another place on campus. 

The purpose of this change is because of COVID-19 and the regulations that have been implemented. 

“We expect the number of organizations performing to be less than in years past since this is a new plan and people may feel nervous to sing and perform in a group so much smaller than in previous years,” Allen said. “In addition, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the main reason why we’re having ACS indoors is that we want to keep the public from watching so we can do our part to keep people safe. Therefore, we will not have an in-person audience but hope that our live-streaming audience will be larger than in years past.” 

The groups that are allowed to perform include residential college students, student organizations, fraternities, sororities and independent organizations. 

The plan for this year is no different than others with ACS being live-streamed. The only difference this year is the only option available is to live-stream the event instead of ACS having a live audience gathering by the Lovett steps. 

“We live-stream ACS every year, so luckily at least that will be something that will stay the same,” Allen said. “However, this is our first year in which we won’t have a live audience, so we expect a much larger audience watching virtually. We are very excited that we will have the option for people to watch the live-stream, so then even though people won’t be able to watch in-person, they can still watch the event as it happens.” 

Another difference this year is the Change Wars. The event will be hosting a CashApp war. Allen said that the flat-rate cost to participate will vary depending on how many groups are performing within the organization. Each group, which can include solo, duet or trio, will pay a $15 flat-rate no matter the number of participants in the group. The cost for two groups within an organization to participate is $30. 

Allen said the difference between past and present is the opportunity to donate through Sigma Alpha Iota’s CashApp instead of donating change face-to-face.

“Now with the CashApp War, people can donate from anywhere,” Allen said. 

This year’s event will be taking place in April with no live audience. The event will be available for viewers to live-stream.