When Kayley McCoy checks the mail, she can usually expect a letter and picture from OU President David L. Boren once a week as a token of his gratitude for her singing OU’s chant.
McCoy, vocal music education junior, is the university’s official OU chant singer and accompanies Boren to all speaking engagements, averaging about one to three events a week, on behalf of Public Affairs.
McCoy, a Stillwater native, said she has a passion for music and Oklahoma, but never thought she would find a job that combined the two until she accepted the singing job this semester.
“I love OU and have a lot of pride for our school,” said McCoy. “I love singing and the combination of those two, singing and representing the university, is a perfect combination.”
The job position for an official OU chant singer from the School of Music was created about 15 years ago when Boren arrived at the university, he said.
“I was shocked to find when I returned to OU that almost no students or alumni knew the words, and when it was sung at football games, no one participated,” Boren said in an e-mail.
Events include dinners on campus, graduation ring ceremonies, recruitment events in Dallas, ground breaking ceremonies and building expansions, McCoy said.
“There’s such a variety of events, and it makes each one really cool,” McCoy said.
While attending these events, a friendship has developed between McCoy and Boren, she said. She knew Boren before obtaining the position but said his interest in students has been affirmed since she took the job.
“He is an incredible representative for the students and for what we stand for,” McCoy said. “He has us with the best interest in mind.”
Although the time commitment is large, with each event lasting between one to three hours, she said she enjoys the dinners and events and has met many intriguing people.
“It’s the people that I’ve met and spoken with, a lot of different alumni,” McCoy said. “It’s neat to hear their stories about their connection to the university.”
Many of President Boren’s planned speeches occur during the day, but McCoy said she has only had class conflicts three times this year, and her professors were understanding.
“Honestly, because I’m a music major, they really see the value in representing the School of Music and the College of Fine Arts,” McCoy said. “They see it as value, because it is music oriented and because they recommended me to hold that position.”
McCoy was born hearing her mother teach private voice lessons in her house and plans to teach elementary children after graduation.
The honor of singing the chant has been a blessing to McCoy, and she said she enjoys being able to represent OU while doing something she loves.
“This is probably one of the neatest opportunities I have ever had and will ever have,” McCoy said.
The rebirth of the chant and its tradition for students and alumni has been enjoyable to see, Boren said.
“It is wonderful to see students and alumni hold their fingers high in the air singing, bringing the OU family together,” Boren said.
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KyleH 3 years, 5 months ago
Kayley,
Congratulations on this honor of leading the OU chant. Enjoy this as much as you can.
My friends and I sang the chant at football games. I did not realize that we were probably the exception according to the article.
Very truly yours "'neath a western sky", Kyle Hancock (OU '92 & '95) Baritone, The Dallas Opera