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the unsung heroesof spring singWith the lights dimmed and the curtainpulled, the expectant audience shuffledthrough the aisles and into seats asthey flipped through their programs. Little didthey know that a completely different worldexisted behind the scenes of Spring Sing. Propsneeded to be set up. Microphones neededchecking. Lights needed to be cued.Craig Jones, the choral director for HardingAcademy, was one of the people workingbehind the scenes, training the hosts, hostessesand ensemble to sing to the best of theirability. Jones helped with Spring Sing vocaltraining for the past five years.“It’s a joy to watch all of the areas cometogether to make a show, and the energy thecollege students bring is fantastic!” Jonessaid.Jones began the vocal rehearsal process ofSpring Sing very early. The theme and potentialsong selections for the 2008 show werechosen before the 2007 performance. Afterbeing selected, the hosts and hostesses wenton a weekend excursion to Branson, Mo., tosee shows and come up with ideas that theycould utilize in their performances.Actual vocal rehearsals began in earlyJanuary before the March show and continuedup to three times a week to prepare for thechoreography. Jones trained the students withscales and pronunciation exercises.“I constantly reminded [the hosts andhostesses] of little tricks to help them rememberwords or notes or how we want acertain phrase sung and to put that togetherwith the choreography so that every spot ofthe song ‘sells’,” Jones said.Event Specialist David Robison, another12 student life