The Fryberger Sing competition, a 71-year tradition that began with groups singing a cappella on the steps of Grawemeyer Hall, is still one of the most popular and beloved traditions at UofL.

These days, fraternities and sororities focus their creativity into full-scale musical productions complete with elaborate costumes and choreography.

Months of preparation paid off for this year’s winners, when Sigma Kappa sorority and Sigma Chi fraternity each claimed first place honors in their divisions at UofL’s 2008 Fryberger Greek Sing competition and fundraiser.

The Fryberger Sing was started in 1937 for Agnes Moore Fryberger, a music professor at UofL in the 1930s. Her students arranged the musical competition to honor her when she was forced to leave the university due to illness. It remained a university-wide event for decades until waning interest threatened its existence. The Greek community then adopted it as its own.

The event now takes place at Memorial Auditorium, a venue on Fourth and Kentucky Streets that seats 1,700 people—which it has outgrown. Fryberger Sing regularly sells out.

In 2000 organizers began to charge admission. Proceeds help fund student attendance at leadership conferences. Starting this year, they also provide $1,000 scholarships for one sorority and one fraternity member. The Fryberger scholarship is rewarded based on financial need, academic achievement and campus and community involvement.