The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 34, Ed. 1, Friday, February 8, 2002 Page: 3 of 8
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Accent
Optimist Friday February 8 2002 3
From
children's show
to
m
L4H5
Slftf Svna kvsi
Melissa Dossey
Managng Editor
Matt Cokcr has a dream that he has
carried with him since age six.
And now the dream is being realized in
the blazing spotlights of the 2002 Sing
Song production.
Coker is one of the hosts of Sing Song
this year and he said that it has always
been a dream of his. In fact the chance to
become a Sing Song host was for Coker
one of the major selling points for coming
toACU.
When Coker junior musical theatre
major from Abilene first learned he'd been
selected as a host he said It was almost
shocking.
"It didn't sink in right away" Coker said.
"It took me a while to realize how big a
deal this was."
Even though Coker started participat-
ing in Sing Song through the children's
production he has been involved with the
technical side to Sing Song as well. Coker's
freshman year he was on the production
staff and his sophomore year he was the
technical director.
Almost 15 years ago Coker's mother
Marsha was working at Abilene Christian
Schools when she heard that Adam Hester
would be opening Sing Song to children.
Ever since then Coker has been involved
one way or another while keeping his eyes
on the host position.
"He has had a dream of being in Sing
Song since lie first started" Marsha Coker
-said.
After his first couple performances
Coker began taking voice lessons.
When Coker was in school he was in the
Abilene Christian Schools select choir
where he gained a lot of singing experi-
In middle school Coker sang solo in
front of people for the first time.
"He blew us away" Marsha Coker said.
To play a joke on Coker Phyllis Wilson
director of Student Productions called him
and said he had not been chosen as a host.
Then one of his friends came by and sur-
prised him telling him he had gotten it.
Coker said it has still been hours anil
hours of work.
On average the hosts and hostesses
practice five hours a day and more than 12
hours on the weekends.
"I haven't been able to spend time with
my friends" Coker said. After rehearsal
Coker said he either has homework to do
or is too exhausted to hang out with his
friends.
And through all this Coker works to
improve his voice by going to voice les--sons
every week.
Coker said he encourages everyone to
participate in Sing Song because of the
lasting relationships it can bring.
"I've met a lot of my really good friends
through Sing Song" Coker said. "It's a
great place to meet new people people
you wouldn't normally meet people ol
different majors." J
He also said the hosts and hostesses
have a special bond.
GayleTaylor administrative coordinator
for Student Productions said she enjoys
discussing past Sing Songs with him.
"He remembers acts and songs better
than I do" Taylor said. "He loved it."
Talor said Sing Song was a big deal to
Coker and as a little boy she loved working
with him and seeing where Coker is now.
"It's really fun to see his dream come
PHOTOS BY CHERESE ARCHIE
Left: Matt Coker junior theatre major from Abilene practices a song with other
Sing Song hosts and hostesses to make everyone comfortable with their parts
before they return to rehearsing on stage.
Bottom: Coker joins Molly Carrigan senior music education major from Abilene
and young Tyler Sutphen and Kirby Wilkerson while rehearsing a musical num-
ber for Sing Song.
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The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 34, Ed. 1, Friday, February 8, 2002, newspaper, February 8, 2002; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101752/m1/3/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.