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November 15, 2009

Singing Sooners

By Andrew Knittle

About 200 singing Sooners took to Owen Field during the University of Oklahoma's blowout of Texas A--M Saturday night in Norman.

The name of the group: Singing Sooners.

Richard Zielinski, co-director of the ensemble and director of choral activities at OU, said his singers did well during their first performance in front of a live audience of happy football fans.

The group performed "America the Beautiful" Saturday night, but Zielinski said his Singing Sooners classes are learning traditional glee club-type songs, including fight songs and chants that do more than just entertain. He said many of the songs tell stories.

"We're teaching the students the history of the school through the songs, so that's kind of cool," said Zielinski, who just recently began his appointment at OU. "The history of the school, the leadership here now -- it's why I wanted to come here.

"It's just a great school to be a part of."

Singing Sooners is made up of a hodgepodge of students and alumni, some of them not even music majors, Zielinski said. He said many in the group are taking a Singing Sooners class, which meets twice a week.

Some of them are graduates who just want to be involved with the school.

"That's what it is," Zielinski said. "That's what makes it so great."

Zielinski said he hopes the performance Saturday night will become an annual event.

"It's good for the school, the students," he said. "And who doesn't like to scream fight songs?"

Those interested in becoming a Singing Sooner should visit music.ou.edu/choirs or call Zielinski at 325-4182.

Andrew Knittle 366-3540 aknittle@normantranscript.com

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