Thousands of visitors flooded the Freed-Hardeman University campus April 5-6 eager to be a part of one of the biggest FHU events of the year. Makin' Music 47: "Make Some Noise" thrilled audiences over four performances full of original club shows, emcee entertainment and hosts and hostess showstoppers. At the conclusion of Saturday evening's closing show, Phi Kappa Alpha was awarded the coveted sweepstakes trophy for the first time in seven years. Xi Chi Delta was awarded second place, while third place went to Chi Beta Chi.
A beloved annual event, Makin' Music regularly draws in parents, alumni and community members who are eager to cheer on their favorite clubs and performers. This year's event featured original performances by five social clubs - Chi Beta Chi, Omega Chi, Phi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Rho and Xi Chi Delta - as well as musical selections by student hosts and hostesses and the Makin' Music Showband; emcees engaged the audience throughout the show, also.
"Makin Music is a giant, exciting, fun-filled reunion, where the FHU family packs Loyd Auditorium to be wowed by the incredible talents of Freed-Hardeman students!" FHU President David R. Shannon said. "Coordinators, directors and staff spend a year putting this show together, and cast members pour their hearts and energy into entertaining audience members from elementary children to prospective students to grandparents. The quality of this show is unmatched, and we thank God for leaders like Tony Allen, Peggy Weaver and Jarred Clayton who invest their time and talents in helping these students grow and create memories!"
Hostesses for this year's show were Kaitlyn Moore, a social work and Bible major form Henderson, Tennessee; Emma Kate Garrett, a business analytics major from Decatur, Alabama; and Taylor Roberson, an English education major from Jackson, Tennessee. Jude Bowers, a marketing major from Franklin, Tennessee; Black Westmoreland, a marketing major from Madison, Alabama; and Elijah Hester, a finance and financial planning major from Florence, Alabama, were 2024 hosts.
Serving as this year's emcees were Michael Mullinicks, a Bible major from Hohenwald, Tennessee; Julie Gann, a kinesiology major from Huntsville, Alabama; and Zoe Johnson, a marketing and business major from Columbia, Tennessee. Student coordinators were Addie Everson, a public relations major from Mesquite, Texas, and Elle Rhodes, an early childhood education major from New Johnsonville, Tennessee.
Phi Kappa Alpha's winning show was created by a team of six hardworking student directors: Anniston McCall, Annie Simpson, Grady McCall, Derek Griffin, Cam Mann and Will Rawson. Anniston McCall, a senior photography and graphic design major, shared her favorite moment of the Makin' Music experience. "My favorite part was being in the middle of it all and seeing everyone's faces. As a director, obviously you want your show to win, but more than that, you want your cast to get to experience it more than you do for yourself. The directors have said from the very start that this could be the most talented cast the club has ever had, and they proved us right over and over again. They were hardworking and bought into the theme from the very beginning."
As is tradition, each of FHU's five social clubs took on the monumental task of presenting an original seven-minute musical story by creating their own costumes, props, choreography and lyrics set to popular songs. This year's club shows featured various themes, including Chi Beta Chi's "Washed Up," Omega Chi's "A Knight to Remember," Sigma Rho's "Conflict in the Cosmos," Phi Kappa Alpha's "When in Doubt, Call the Scouts!" and Xi Chi Delta's "Hysmith High: Clash of '02!"
Hostesses for this year's show were Kaitlyn Moore, a social work and Bible major form Henderson, Tennessee; Emma Kate Garrett, a business analytics major from Decatur, Alabama; and Taylor Roberson, an English education major from Jackson, Tennessee. Jude Bowers, a marketing major from Franklin, Tennessee; Black Westmoreland, a marketing major from Madison, Alabama; and Elijah Hester, a finance and financial planning major from Florence, Alabama, were 2024 hosts.
While Friday and Saturday's ticketed performances are what produced the sweepstakes awards, many Makin' Music participants said that their favorite experience of the week involved performing for a very different group of judges at the highly anticipated kids' show. Hundreds of local children from area schools attended a special production of the show on Thursday morning. Armed with pom-poms and glowsticks, kids were generous with their enthusiasm and eager to interact with the performers in costume. Children were even given the power to vote for their favorite club show, and this second annual Kids' Choice Award was ultimately given to Xi Chi Delta.
Meanwhile, the Spirit of Makin' Music Award was voted on by Makin' Music staff and the directors of the other clubs. This trophy was given to the club that best represents the core values and camaraderie of the event. At the end of Friday evening's show, this award was presented to Omega Chi.
For sweepstakes awards, the clubs were judged in six distinct categories - choreography/blocking, lyrics, costumes, vocals, props/set design and entertainment value - and final awards were presented after Saturday evening's show. Results of the awards are below.
"I am very proud of our students and their work on the show this year," FHU Dean of Student Life and Makin' Music Producer Tony Allen said. "It is a year-long process, and many do not understand how much effort and love goes into their work. Through Makin' Music students learn important skills that the classroom does not offer. I'm thankful that the university, alumni and prospective students support our students each year. Makin' Music is truly a blessing."
RESULTS
Choreography/Blocking | ||
---|---|---|
1st-  Phi Kappa Alpha | 2nd-  Xi Chi Delta | 3rd-  Omega Chi |
Lyrics | ||
1st-  Phi Kappa Alpha | 2nd-  Xi Chi Delta | 3rd  Sigma Rho |
Costumes | ||
1st-   Xi Chi Delta | 2nd-   Phi Kappa Alpha | 3rd-   Sigma Rho |
Vocals | ||
1st-   Xi Chi Delta | 2nd-   Phi Kappa Alpha | 3rd-   Omega Chi |
Props/Set Design | ||
1st-   Xi Chi Delta | 2nd-   Phi Kappa Alpha | 3rd-   Chi Beta Chi |
Entertainment Value | ||
1st-   Phi Kappa Alpha | 2nd-   Xi Chi Delta | 3rd-   Chi Beta Chi |
Overall Sweepstakes | ||
1st-   Phi Kappa Alpha | 2nd-   Xi Chi Delta | 3rd-   Chi Beta Chi |
RESULTS
Choreography/Blocking | 1st-   Phi Kappa Alpha | 2nd-   Xi Chi Delta | 3rd-   Omega Chi |
Lyrics | 1st-   Phi Kappa Alpha | 2nd-   Xi Chi Delta | 3rd-   Sigma Rho |
Costumes | 1st-   Xi Chi Delta | 2nd-   Phi Kappa Alpha | 3rd-   Sigma Rho |
Vocals | 1st-   Xi Chi Delta | 2nd-   Phi Kappa Alpha | 3rd-   Omega Chi |
Props/Set Design | 1st-   Xi Chi Delta | 2nd-   Phi Kappa Alpha | 3rd-   Chi Beta Chi |
Entertainment Value | 1st-   Phi Kappa Alpha | 2nd-   Xi Chi Delta | 3rd-   Chi Beta Chi |
Overall Sweepstakes | 1st-   Phi Kappa Alpha | 2nd-   Xi Chi Delta | 3rd-   Chi Beta Chi |